Buddhist rituals can be quite simple. For example, to become a Buddhist a person takes the “three refuges” – to take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. That simply means to rely on the Buddha as the one who attained nirvana; to rely on his teachings; and to rely on the community of Buddhists, the Sangha. It does not require anything besides reciting the chant in the presence of a teacher. Most Buddhist rituals, though, have ritual objects like statues or paintings, incense, robes, offerings of food and drink, and other items that support the ritual actions. A good example is the ritual of ordination.

American Zen Buddhist Ordination Ritual

As we saw in the narrative of the life of the Buddha, the bodhisattva Siddartha left home to pursue the life of a wanderer. He left wearing his ordinary clothing which he soon exchanged for simple robes. He also cut his hair. In some versions of the story, he received bowls for begging. These physical actions symbolize leaving behind his former life as a householder, and his commitment to spiritual practice. The minimum possessions of robes, bowls, and a razor for shaving the head were included in monastic regulations thousands of years ago.

Many American Zen Centers base their ordination ceremonies on rituals developed in the Japanese Zen Rinzai or Sōtō Zen sects. Not everyone takes full ordination, but some elements of the priest ordination, such as the precepts and receiving a garment are practiced in lay initiations as well.

Pre-ritual preparation

The ordinees typically spend a couple of hours sitting meditation on the morning of the ordination. The night before, their hair has been cut off, leaving a small patch of hair to be cut during the ritual. They are dressed in simple robes.

Ordination Ritual

The main part of the ordination ritual is in two parts. In the first part, the ordinee receives the things he or she will need as a Buddhist priest. In the second part, the ordinee promises to follow a set of rules.

Part One: Receiving the Necessities

• Cutting the final patch of hair to symbolize cutting attachments
• Receiving eating bowls
• Receiving robes

When the ordinee receives each item, he or she recites a verse that explains their religious meaning.

Part Two: Taking the Precepts

In American Zen communities, the most common set of rules is the sixteen bodhisattva precepts, adapted from the Japanese Buddhist tradition. These precepts include:

Three Refuges

• I take refuge in the Buddha
• I take refuge in the Dharma
• I take refuge in the Sangha

Three Pure Precepts: what to do

• I vow to refrain from evil
• I vow to make every effort to remain in enlightenment
• I vow to live for the benefit of other beings

Ten Prohibitions: what not to do

• I vow not to kill.
• I vow not to take what is not given.
• I vow not to misuse sexuality.
• I vow to refrain from false speech.
• I vow to refrain from intoxicants.
• I vow not to slander.
• I vow not to praise self at the expense of others.
• I vow not to be greedy.
• I vow not to harbor ill will.
• I vow not to disrespect the Three Treasures.

Analysis of Ordination Ritual using the Seven Dimensions

This brief description of ordination shows how this ritual includes many of the seven dimensions of religion:

Narrative: the ritual re-enacts the bodhisattva Siddartha’s leaving home, shaving his head, and acquiring robes and bowls.

Social Organization: this ritual is done by the whole community. The head teacher gives the precepts and guides the ritual. Householders and ordained people attend and chant the verses with the ordinees.

Ritual: Attending an ordination ritual is considered to be a beneficial act and a way to renew one’s own commitment, even if you are not ordained. Rituals in Buddhism are thought to create karmic merit that will benefit one in the future.

Buddhist rituals include the basic formula of taking refuge in the Three Treasures. All Buddhists, whether householder or ordained priest take the refuges. It is the most fundamental part of Buddhism. This follows a typical ritual pattern:

• Step one: Withdrawal from society (the meditation period)
• Step two: Liminal phase, the main part of the ritual when the ordinee makes a transition from householder state to ordained person.
• Step three: Returning to society with a new status.

Ethics: The ordinee takes the precepts which are rules for living. Notice that there are positive actions that you agree to do (the three pure precepts); and actions that you agree to avoid (ten prohibitions).

Experience: The ordinee experiences a transformation through the ritual. There are naturally internal changes, but at a minimum anyone can see that the person has changed their social position.

Material Culture: American Sōtō Zen Buddhist groups often require that the ordinee sew their own robes in preparation for the ceremony. This period of “sewing the robe” can last for several months and is a kind of preparation. The robes are treated as sacred, even before they are completed. During the sewing period, a person is encouraged to use the practice of sewing as a meditation.