When is the best time and day to chant The Ten Precepts (Dasa-sila): Novice Training Rules?

It is traditionally most auspicious to recite during Brahma Muhurta (4:00 AM – 6:00 AM) or Evening Dusk (Sandhya), especially on Daily or auspicious lunar days (Ekadashi, Purnima, Pradosham). Traditional offerings include Ghee lamp (Deepa), Incense (Dhoopa), Fresh flowers & Water offering.

What are the benefits of regularly chanting The Ten Precepts (Dasa-sila): Novice Training Rules?

According to sacred tradition, regular recitation brings: Peace of mind, spiritual upliftment, and harmonious energy in the home.

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The Ten Precepts (Dasa-sila)

Novice Training Rules

The Ten Precepts, Khuddakapatha 2: ten Pali training rules of novice monks and nuns, each taken with the words I undertake the precept to refrain.

Verses

These training rules are observed by novice monks and nuns. They are derived from the Eight Precepts by splitting the precept concerning entertainments into two parts and by adding one rule prohibiting the handling of money. A fully-ordained monk (bhikkhu) observes the 227 rules of the bhikkhu Patimokkha; a fully ordained nun (bhikkhuni) would observe the 311 rules of the bhikkhuni Patimokkha.

These sacred rules of training are humbly observed by novice monks and nuns, derived from the Eight Precepts through the division of the precept on worldly entertainment and the addition of the vow against handling money, while fully ordained monks and nuns devoutly uphold the complete Patimokkha codes of 227 and 311 rules respectively.

Verse 1

The Ten Precepts:

Behold the sacred Ten Precepts:

Verse 2

Paanatipata Veramani Sikkhapadam Samadiyami

With a reverent heart, I undertake the sacred vow to abstain from harming or destroying any living creature.

Verse 3

Adinnadaana Veramani Sikkhapadam Samadiyami

With a reverent heart, I undertake the sacred vow to abstain from taking anything that has not been freely given.

Verse 4

Abrahmachariya Veramani Sikkhapadam Samadiyami

With a reverent heart, I undertake the sacred vow to abstain from all sexual activity, walking the path of holy purity.

Verse 5

Musavaada Veramani Sikkhapadam Samadiyami

With a reverent heart, I undertake the sacred vow to abstain from false and unwholesome speech.

Verse 6

Suramerayamajja Pamaadatthana Veramani Sikkhapadam Samadiyami

With a reverent heart, I undertake the sacred vow to abstain from intoxicating drinks and mind-clouding drugs that lead to heedlessness.

Verse 7

Vikaalabhojana Veramani Sikkhapadam Samadiyami

With a reverent heart, I undertake the sacred vow to abstain from partaking of food at forbidden times after the midday hour.

Verse 8

Nachcha Geeta Vaadita Visuka Dassana Veramani Sikkhapadam Samadiyami

With a reverent heart, I undertake the sacred vow to abstain from dancing, singing, playing music, and attending worldly entertainments.

Verse 9

Maala Gandha Vilepana Dhaarana Mandana Vibhoosanatthana Veramani Sikkhapadam Samadiyami

With a reverent heart, I undertake the sacred vow to abstain from wearing garlands, applying perfumes, and adorning the body with cosmetics.

Verse 10

Uchchaasayana Mahaasayana Veramani Sikkhapadam Samadiyami

With a reverent heart, I undertake the sacred vow to abstain from using high, luxurious, or grand beds for resting.

Verse 11

Jaataroopa Rajata Patiggahana Veramani Sikkhapadam Samadiyami

With a reverent heart, I undertake the sacred vow to abstain from accepting gold, silver, and monetary wealth.

Verse 12

Worship Guidelines & Chanting Benefits (Phalashruti)

Auspicious Day

Daily or auspicious lunar days (Ekadashi, Purnima, Pradosham)

Best Time (Muhurta)

Brahma Muhurta (4:00 AM – 6:00 AM) or Evening Dusk (Sandhya)

Sacred Offerings

Ghee lamp (Deepa), Incense (Dhoopa), Fresh flowers & Water offering

Spiritual Benefits (Phalashruti)

Peace of mind, spiritual upliftment, and harmonious energy in the home

Background

The Ten Precepts, in Pali Dasasikkhapada or dasa-sila, are the training rules taken by novice monks (samanera) and novice nuns (samaneri) in the Theravada tradition. They are recorded as text no. 2 of the Khuddakapatha in the Pali Canon, in the Khuddaka Nikaya, and each is taken with the words veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami, I undertake the precept to refrain. They grow out of the Eight Precepts that lay people keep on observance days. The rule on entertainments is split in two, so that precepts 7 and 8 become separate rules on shows and on adornment, and a tenth is added against receiving gold and silver. A fully ordained monk, a bhikkhu, keeps the 227 rules of the Patimokkha, and a fully ordained nun, a bhikkhuni, the 311 rules of her own Patimokkha. The Ten Precepts are the simpler discipline that comes first.

Did You Know?

From five to ten

Lay Buddhists keep five precepts. In the Ten Precepts the third becomes abrahmacariya, full celibacy, and five more are added, which are eating at the wrong time, shows, adornment, high beds and receiving gold and silver.

Split from the Eight Precepts

The Eight Precepts of the uposatha combine shows and adornment in their seventh rule. The Ten Precepts divide them: precept 7 is against dancing, singing, music and seeing shows, and precept 8 is against garlands, perfumes and cosmetics.

What the fourth precept says

Precept 4 is musavada, false speech, and in the Pali text it is as brief as the others. The wider teaching of right speech, which also includes harsh words, slander and idle talk, comes from other parts of the Buddha's teaching.

The time to eat

Precept 6, vikalabhojana, refrains from food at the wrong time, which for monastics means after noon until the next dawn. It is part of a rhythm of simple living in which the day is shaped around alms round, meal, study and meditation.

Gold and silver

Precept 10 is jatarupa-rajata-patiggahana, refraining from receiving gold and silver, which monastic discipline understands as refraining from money. Many monasteries today manage funds through lay stewards.

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