Taking the Precepts (Jukai)

“Jukai…is to acknowledge to yourself the importance of wisdom in your life.” – John Tarrant, Rōshi

Zen is beyond words and forms, yet it has been handed down to us from person to person through the container of Buddhist practice for generations. “Taking the precepts” (jukai in Japanese) is a way to publicly acknowledge commitment to this way that is beyond words and forms. In taking the precepts, we vow to embrace the actual circumstances of our lives, and to enter fully into whatever we encounter.

The Sixteen Bodhisattva Precepts in the Zen tradition were designed as guidelines for living a life that supports and deepens practice in everyday life. They can also function as an endless source of contemplation and help us to continually awaken to the universal nature of reality that we call Buddha Nature.

For those who are interested in formally taking the precepts, we offer two opportunities for participating in a public jukai ceremony each year, in the spring and fall at Boundless Way Zen Temple. Please see the schedule for the Temple dates.

You can download the Jukai Ceremony Booklet to learn more.

Requirements

For those who decide to take the precepts in Boundless Way, the requirements are, first:

1. Meet individually with a transmitted teacher (David Rynick, Rōshi, Melissa Blacker,  Rōshi, Dharma Holder Alan Richardson or Dharma Holder Michael Herzog) to discuss your readiness to take the precepts.
2. Write a short piece describing what taking the precepts means to you and how you will work with them in your life, and send it to the teacher.
3. Receive permission from the teacher to take the precepts.

Once you have been given permission to take the precepts, the requirements are:

1. Arrange to study the precepts with one of the transmitted teachers, or in a Boundless Way precepts study group.
2. Sew a rakusu (the bib-like garment that is the outward symbol that someone has taken the precepts). Instructions and resources are available. 
3. Commit to participate in one of the two yearly precepts ceremonies.
4. Write a very brief personal reflection on each precept and give it to a transmitted teacher to review.
5. Deliver the rakusu and a case if you have one with your name clearly printed on a piece of paper to Melissa Rōshi and David Rōshi at least a week before the ceremony in which you will participate.
6. Read at least two of the suggested precept study books:

• Robert Aitken: The Mind of Clover
• Reb Anderson: Being Upright
• Bernie Glassman: Infinite Circle
• Daido Loori: The Heart of Being
• Diane Rizzetto: Waking Up to What You Do

The Sixteen Bodhisattva Precepts

• The Three Treasures
  1. I take refuge in the Buddha, in Oneness, the awakened nature of all beings.
  2. I take refuge in the Dharma, in Diversity, the ocean of wisdom and compassion.
  3. I take refuge in the Sangha, in Harmony, the interdependence of all.
• The Three Pure Precepts
  1. Not knowing, thereby giving up fixed ideas about myself and the universe, I vow to cease from evil.
  2. Bearing witness to the joy and suffering of the world, I vow to practice good.
  3. Honoring wholeness in myself and others, I vow to save all beings.
• The Ten Grave Precepts
  1. Recognizing I am not separate from all that is, I vow to take up the way of not killing,
  2. Being satisfied with what I have, I vow to take up the way of not stealing.
  3. Honoring mutuality and respecting commitment, I vow to take up the way of not misusing sex.
  4. Listening and speaking from the heart, I vow to take up the way of not speaking falsely.
  5. Cultivating a mind that sees clearly, I vow to take up the way of not intoxicating mind and body.
  6. Unconditionally accepting what each moment has to offer, I vow to take up the way of not finding fault with others.
  7. Meeting others on equal ground, I vow to take up the way of not elevating myself while abusing others.
  8. Using all the ingredients of my life, I vow to take up the way of not sparing the dharma assets.
  9. Transforming suffering into wisdom, I vow to take up the way of not harboring ill will.
  10. Honoring my life as an instrument of the Great Way, I vow to take the way of not defaming the Three Treasures.

If you plan to attend a Jukai ceremony, please download our Jukai Ceremony Booklet to help you follow along.