Ajahn Jayasaro during “Wan Phra” ceremony giving the 8 precepts at Wat Pah Nanachat
Practically speaking, someone becomes a Buddhist when, having taken refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, they start to apply themselves to the study and application of the Buddha’s teachings in their lives.
In Buddhist counties such as Thailand there have never been specific ceremonies in which people may formally affirm their devotion to Buddhism. This may be to some extent because Buddhism is not a religion based on the adoption of certain beliefs; and also partly because, there being no Buddhist proselytism, there have been few new converts. For better or worse, people have generally taken their Buddhist identity for granted, assuming that they were Buddhist from the day of their birth.
The situation is somewhat different in India. Over the past seventy years or so large numbers of the Dalit people (formerly so-called “untouchables”) have converted to Buddhism following the example of their leader Dr. Ambedhkar. Huge conversion ceremonies have been conducted, featuring the formal acceptance of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha as refuges and a commitment to living by the five precepts. (This formula of requesting the refuges and the precepts from members of the monastic order is incorporated into almost every Buddhist ceremony in Thailand)
More questions and anwers about Buddhism HERE
Source:
- Without and Within – Ajahn Jayasaro
In Thailand during the full moon (new moon and quarters of moon, four times a month) they celebrate the “Wan Phra”, also known by a more traditional name of Uposatha, many devotees take this occasion to take the eight precepts for one day; during this ceremony of taking the precepts they also take refuge in the three gems by repeating this words:
Buddham saranam gacchami – I go to the Buddha for refuge.
Dhammam saranam gacchami – I go to the Dhamma for refuge.
Sangham saranam gacchami – I go to the Sangha for refuge.
Dutiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami – For a second time, I go to the Buddha for refuge.
Dutiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami – For a second time, I go to the Dhamma for refuge.
Dutiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami – For a second time, I go to the Sangha for refuge.
Tatiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami – For a third time, I go to the Buddha for refuge.
Tatiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami – For a third time, I go to the Dhamma for refuge.
Tatiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami – For a third time, I go to the Sangha for refuge.
~Ryokan
