Precepts
Committing to the path.
The next IN-PERSON precepts ceremony at Providence Zen Center, our head temple, will be during Buddha’s Birthday Sangha Weekend, March 28th & 29th, 2026.
The Precepts Ceremony at Providence Zen Center will be on Saturday, March 28th at 3:00pm.
Ceremony will be in-person and broadcast on Zoom.
Precepts will be given IN-PERSON ONLY.
Precepts Application Requirements & Deadlines:
Contact your guiding teacher and download the Precepts Booklet for requirements.
After you have read the application booklet and completed the requirements, you can apply to take precepts by filling out the online application below. Requirements vary by number of precepts taken as listed in the application booklet. A minimum of four retreat days and discussion with your guiding teacher are expected for you to take Five Precepts. By using this form to apply, you attest you have read the requirements in the Precepts Information Booklet and agree to abide by them.
For precepts ceremonies at Providence Zen Center:
February 11th, 2026 for full DTs (to allow time for long robes to be ordered)
March 6th, 2026 for all other precepts
Applications accepted between March 7th and March 10th only with: completed application and payment; guiding teacher’s prior knowledge, permission, and their communication of this with the office, and +$25 late fee.
No applications accepted after March 10th.
For precepts ceremonies at other Zen Centers:
Deadlines for applications are 4 - 6 weeks before your center’s ceremony.
Scroll down to fill out a Precepts application.
The precepts originated as guidelines to help us develop a clear life.
The Kwan Um School of Zen offers precepts to those who feel a genuine commitment to Buddhist practice. The Buddha taught that the precepts provide a foundation for clear direction in life.
Zen Master Soeng Hyang, the School Zen Master, reflects on the precepts:
The Buddha taught us that we already have a balanced nature. We are, each one of us, already perfect and complete. As we endeavor to wake up to the compassionate and wise state, we must see what hinders us.
The instructions are so simple: Avoid evil and do good. Why can’t we just write that in large letters over our beds and make sure we read it before we put our feet on the floor each morning? Then, as Zen Master Seung Sahn said, “just do it”? Avoid evil and do good, moment to moment to moment.
The precepts spell out the major hindrances. It’s so obvious what these hindrances are and so helpful to be reminded of them. Read them and be honest with yourself; ask yourself to deepen your understanding of what it means to not take what is not given. What does it mean when it says to always tell the truth? Did we “kill” anything today? Were we destructive? How intimately familiar can we become with the precepts so that we can put our feet on the floor in the morning and not have to think of dichotomies such as good and evil? The precepts become, “How may I help you?”
As our practice matures, as we shed our accumulated fears and mistrust, we do realize that being compassionately awake is our natural state. We can take the sign off our bedroom wall and give it to a brother or sister who might still need the reminder.
As members of our Zen Center and of our larger sangha, we recognize and support each other’s efforts. When we make our direction and vow clear together, we not only help each other, we also inspire our extended community around the world.
The precepts booklet below contains essential information about the precepts and a printable application form.
Once you complete and submit the application, you will be taken automatically to a secure payment form to pay the application fee by credit card. If you do not wish to pay via credit card, just close the window and mail us a check, or call us at (401) 658-1476.
Checks should be made out to “Kwan Um School of Zen” and mailed to the office at:
Kwan Um School of Zen
99 Pound Road
Cumberland, RI 02864
Precepts Application
All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. The Kwan Um School of Zen is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization.
Refund Policy:
- Donations made by credit card are not refundable.
- Guest fees for sangha events, paid by credit card, are fully refundable up to one week before the event. After that, no refunds can be offered.
- Membership and dharma teacher dues, paid by credit card, are fully refundable for 15 days after payment. After 15 days have passed, no refunds can be offered.
- Precepts Materials, once received, are not returnable or refundable.