The next IN-PERSON precepts ceremony at Providence Zen Center, our head temple, will be during the Buddha’s Birthday Day Sangha Weekend of April 6 & 7, 2024
The precepts ceremony will take place at 3pm on Saturday, April 6. Ceremony broadcast on Zoom.
Precepts will be given IN-PERSON ONLY.
Updated Application Deadlines:
February 29 for full DTs (to allow time for long robes to be ordered)
March 14 for all other precepts
Applications accepted from March 14 - March 21 only with guiding teacher’s knowledge, permission, communication with office, and +$25 late fee. No applications accepted after March 21.
For other sanghas, deadlines for applications are 3 - 5 weeks before your center’s ceremony.
Contact your guiding teacher for requirements, and download the Precepts Booklet for details.
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 contains essential information about the precepts and a printable application form.
After you have read the application booklet and completed the requirements, you can also 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 one’s guiding teacher are expected for one to take Five Precepts.
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
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.