THE TRADITIONAL OF THE GREAT PRECEPT

TRANSMISSION ORDINATION CEREMONY

IN VIETNAM BUDDHIST
by
Le Quang Minh Dat
(ID: 6201506023)

Lecturer: Ven. Asst. Prof. Dr. Phramaha Anon Ānando

An assignment to fulfill the requirements of the subject

(112 238) “History of Buddhism 3”(3-0-6)
Degree of B.A (Buddhist Studies)

International Buddhist Studies College

Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University
Ayutthaya
(2020)
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Contents
Abstract ............................................................................................................3
Introduction......................................................................................................4
Content .............................................................................................................5
1. Definition the Great Precept Transmission Ordination Ceremony. ............5
2. Origin of the Mahayana Great Precept Transmission Ordination
Ceremony .........................................................................................................5
3. The First Transmission Ordination Ceremony in Vietnam. ........................6
4. The Brief history of the development of the Great Precept Transmission
Ordination Ceremony in Vietnam ...................................................................8
5. Overview present of the Great Precept Transmission Ordination
Ceremony in Vietnam. .....................................................................................9
6. Title and Position of Mahathera Transmission Precepts in The Great
Precept Transmission Ordination Ceremony.................................................10
6.1 The Ten Precept Masters Council (zh. 十師會同).............................11
6.1.1 The Three Precept Masters (zh. 三師) ............................11
6.1.2 The Seven Venerable Witnesses (zh. 七尊證師) ............12
6.2 The Invite Master (zh. 引請師) ..........................................................12
6.3 The Supervisor Master (zh. 監壇師) ..................................................13
6.4 The Tuyen Vinaya Master (zh. 宣律師) ............................................13
7. The main ceremonies, events in the Great Precept Transmission
Ordination Ceremony. ...................................................................................13
7.1 Transmission Samanera, Samaneri Precepts ......................................14
7.2 Transmission Bhikkhu, Bhikkhuni Precepts ......................................15
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7.3 Transmission Bodhisattva Precepts ....................................................16

8. Meaning of The Great Precept Transmission Ordination Ceremony ........17
Conclusion .....................................................................................................19
References......................................................................................................19

Abbreviations

vn: Vietnamese
zh: Chinese
P: Pali
Skt: Sanskrit
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Abstract
The Traditional of the Great Precept Transmission Ordination
Ceremony is an important and sacred event in the life of Buddhism. This is a
unique Sangha activity, organized to impart the dharma precepts to the
monastic, with many very strict regulations in the Vinaya.
Buddhism has been introduced to Vietnam for more than 2000 years,
so the Great Precept Transmission Ordination Ceremony also has a very
specific characteristic of Vietnamese Buddhism, but still retains its nature of
harmony, solemnity, purity, and true Dharma. This article will provide an
overview of the Traditional of the Great Precept Transmission Ordination
Ceremony in Vietnam, from the form and events to the significance and
importance of the Great Precept Transmission Ordination Ceremony in the
development of Buddhism in Vietnam.
Keywords: The Great Precept Transmission Ordination Ceremony,
The Great Precepts Ceremony, Mahāyāna, Vietnam Buddhism.
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Introduction.
The ordination is an important milestone in the life of the monk,
unlike the advancement of the social status of the secular, the monastic takes
the receive precepts as a milestone in the path of liberation and orientation
peace for yourself, the Sangha, and for the human being life. Right
understanding, pure precepts, and posture are the three factors that make up
the personality of a Buddhist monk. Like a tripod, a true Buddhist monk is
indispensable for one of these three factors.
It is necessary to have correct awareness of the Dharma, generate the
mind of taking precepts and keep the precepts, have behaviors suitable for
the monk in all circumstances, live a simple life, and do not cling to the
conveniences of life. When such consciousness and endeavor to live, peace
will inevitably be present, as when the lamp is lit, the darkness disappears.
With that in mind, in the history of Vietnam Buddhism, The Great
Precept Transmission Ordination Ceremony has always been maintained
continuously, when the Great Precept Transmission Ordination Ceremonies
are still organized, the precepts still generate the mind to take precepts to
cultivate, and there are Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis who have preserved the
precepts was received, at that time, the Dharma still existed.
Because of the historical properties and long-term influences of the
Great Precepts, obviously, with all the meaning of the Great Precept
Transmission Ordination Ceremony's purpose, it is of great importance not
only for the novices religion - become an official member of the Sangha but
also of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, contributing to the eternal Dharma,
sentient beings peaceful.
The vast majority of Vietnamese people follow Mahayana
Buddhism, so the majority of the Great Precept Transmission Ordination
Ceremony follow the rules of Mahayana Buddhism.
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Content
1. Definition the Great Precept Transmission Ordination Ceremony.
The Great Precept Transmission Ordination Ceremony (vn. Đại Giới
Đàn; zh. 戒壇 or大戒壇) is an important and sacred event in Buddhism.
This is a unique Sangha activity, organized to transmission-receive the
dharma precepts to the monastic, with many very strict regulations in the
Vinaya. It is the place to celebrate the ceremony of transmission-receive
precepts and as well as the chant of precepts. This is a very important event
for Buddhist monks. In addition, the Mahayana Great Precept Transmission
Ordination Ceremony is also called "The place to select people to be
Buddha" (vn. Tuyển Phật Trường; zh. 選佛塲)for the meaning and purpose
of renunciation is become a Buddha.
In the past, in Vietnam, the form of this ceremony was confined to
the Sangha, so it was named the Three Ordination Platforms Precept
Transmission Ceremony (vn. Tam Đàn Đại Giới; zh. 三壇大戒). So-called
because it took place three ordination platforms precept transmission-receive
of Samanera, Bhikkhu, and Bodhisattvas precepts. Up to now, Vietnamese
Buddhism is very developed, the demand for and aspiration receive precepts
of lay Buddhists is growing, so the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has organized
more ordination ceremonies for Lay Buddhists according to the Mahayana
tradition, the ceremony name was shortened to the Great Precept
Transmission Ordination Ceremony, transmission- receive precepts for both
monastic and lay.
2. Origin of the Mahayana Great Precept Transmission Ordination
Ceremony
Originally, the place of transmitting the Precepts did not need to
build houses and temples, depending on the vacant land, the Sangha
gathered for Karma (vn. Yết ma; zh. 羯磨) to become the place of
transmitting the Precepts. Once upon a time, in ancient India, this ceremony
took place outdoors, there was no need to set up temples, shrines, and
forums.
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Regarding the organization of the first Great Ordination Precepts

Place, according to Sakyamuni’s Essential Teachings (zh. 釋氏要覽), it is
recorded that the Lou Zhi Bhikkhu (zh. 樓至) requested the Buddha to
establish the Great Ordination Precepts Place for monks to take ordination
and are happily approved by him. 1
When Buddhism was first introduced into China, more than 100
years later, Chinese ordination was ordained as a monk, but only shaved hair
to differ from lay people, at that time Chinese Buddhism did not have the
ritual to transmission precepts. By the year 250 of the Cao Wei Dynasty (zh.
曹魏)of the 2nd Jiaping Era (嘉平, 249-254), Ven. Dharmakāla (zh. 曇柯迦
羅)came to the capital of Luoyang (zh. 洛阳)to see that the monks did not
observe the Dharma Precepts and at the request of the Sangha in Luoyang,
he was at White Horse Temple (zh. 白馬寺), selecting and translating the
parts of the series Mahāsaṅghikavinaya (zh. 摩訶僧祇律), this is Vinaya
section of the Mahāsāṅghika (zh. 大眾部), and it to be used in transmitting
the ordination and inviting the Venerable Sangha to establish the Great
Precept Transmission Ordination Ceremony to transmit the precepts to the
monastic. This is also the first Great Precept Transmission Ordination
Ceremony of Chinese Buddhism, the origin of the Mahayana Buddhist Great
Precepts Place and from here the East Buddhist Sangha was established.2
History about it also developed a lot and changed later in China.
3. The First Transmission Ordination Ceremony in Vietnam.
Buddhism came to Vietnam quite richly and there are many theories
about this. However, it is certain that the first Patriarch of Zen Buddhism
school in Vietnam was the Elder Khương Tăng Hội (zh. 康僧會), and it was

釋氏要覽(Taishō Vol. 54, No. 2127): “西天祇園、樓至比丘請佛立壇、爲比丘受戒

1

、如來於園外院東南、置一壇、此爲始也”or 關中創立戒壇圖經 p.54 also mentioned

that.
2
According to about Fo Guang Dictionary of Buddhism 佛光大辭典 (慈怡法師主編):
戒壇
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he who was ordained in The First Transmission Ordination Ceremony in

Vietnam.
In Vietnam, Giao Chau at that time, the establishment of the Great
Precepts Ceremony existed earlier than China. Specifically, when writing the
title of Ānāpānasati Sutta (vn. An Ban Thủ Ý Kinh; zh. 安般守意經),
Patriarch Khuong Tang Hoi said: “I was born as the last vestige, just enough
of stature, my parents all died, and the Three Masters also passed away,
looked up at the clouds, sad to see that I lacked a mentor.”. The "Three
Masters" in the string can be Three Masters in the Great Precepts Ceremony.
This may confirm the Khuong Tang Hoi ordained a monk in Vietnam before
going to China (247 AC). If so, the organization of the Great Precepts
Ceremony in Vietnam may be nearly half a century before China.
In History of Vietnam Buddhism I, there is a summary of the life of
Elder Khuong Tang Hoi as follows he was born around the year 200 AD. At
the age of 18, he was ordained and was carefully taught by "Three Masters"
about all three Buddhist scriptures in Sanskrit, Vietnamese and Chinese. Of
these three teachers, it is now possible to retrieve a person's name, which is
Mau Tu (zh. 牟子).
Around the year 220, Khương Tang Hoi was received Bhikkhu
precepts and officially became a monk. At this point also happened the
passing of his three teachers. After the master's funeral, Khuong Tang Hoi
began to compile and prepare Dhamma to spread to China.3
And a lot of historical evidence has shown us this, helping us to
come to a conclusion, the first First Transmission Ordination Ceremony in
Vietnam was the time of Khuong Tăng Hội, and it was also Khuong Tăng
Hội who was the first to receive ordination.

3
Translated from book of Le Manh That “Lịch sử Phật Giáo Việt Nam I” (History of Vietnam
Buddhism), page 341.
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4. The Brief history of the development of the Great Precept

Transmission Ordination Ceremony in Vietnam
The form of the Great Transmission Ordination Ceremony
organization in the Khuong Tang Hoi period followed the original Buddhist
orthodoxy. Later in the Vietnamese Transmission Ordination Ceremony are
influence of the Chinese Buddhism. In Vietnam, the organization the Great
Precept Transmission Ordination Ceremony seems to have the influence of
Mahayana Buddhism of China and it flourished in Vietnam's Ly (1009–
1225)- Tran (1225–1400) dynasty to the present.
In the sixth century period, the method of establishing the Great
Precepts Ceremony in Vietnam was somewhat complete. The fact that Zen
Master Phap Hien (zh. 法顯) is ordained as a monk to Great Master Quan
Duyen (zh. 觀緣) at Phap Van Pagoda (zh. 法雲) is a proof of this problem.
By the time of Ly Thai To (zh. 李太祖, 8 March 974 – 31 March 1028),
after ascending the throne for about four years (1016), the king assisted the
Supreme Patriarch Tham Van Uyen (zh. 審文苑)to organize the Great
Precepts Ceremony at Van Tue Temple (zh. 萬歲) and more than 1000
people in Thang Long Ancient capital (zh. 昇龍) were selected for
ordination.
In the Ly Than Tong (zh. 李神宗) dynasty (1128-1138), also
established the Great Precepts Ceremony. Towards the end of the Ly
dynasty, Zen master Hien Quang (zh. 現光) was ordained as a monk at Uyen
Trung (zh. 淵徵) mountain, transmission by Zen Master Phap Gioi (zh. 法
戒). In the Tran dynasty, King Tran Anh Tong (zh. 陳英宗) invited Zen
Master Bamboo Forest (zh.竹林禪師)(Tran Nhan Tong, zh. 陳仁宗) to enter
the main hall to transmit the Bodhisattva precepts. In 1305, the Zen Master
Phap Loa (zh. 法螺) received the Great Precepts (Bhikkhu-stilts,
Bodhisattvas) and the Tran dynasty opened the Great Precepts Ceremony
once a year. After that, the reign of Lord Nguyen still established many
Great Precepts Ceremonies and development to present.
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When Buddhism was transmitted to the East, at any time, the Most
Venerables, Mahathera focused on opening the Great Ordination Precepts
Place, each time different, in this Kingdoms or Countries, about culture,
customs and conceptions of each locality have some differences. In order to
be suitable for transmitting the Precepts in each Kingdomes or countries, the
rites of transmitting the Precepts have been revised many times, but in terms
of the Root of the Precepts (pāṭimokkha; zh. 戒本) nothing has changed.
During more than a thousand years of existence and development, through
many corrections and reforms, the Transmission-receive Precepts rite was
formed and systemized into a general rule that applies to all the Great
Ordination Precepts Place of Mahayana traditional.
5. Overview present of the Great Precept Transmission Ordination
Ceremony in Vietnam.
Currently, the Vinaya section that the majority of practitioners of
Mahayana Tradition in Vietnam cultivation is The Vinaya in Four Parts
(Cāturvargīya-vinaya; zh. 四分律).
The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha is currently very developed and
organized into a very strict and detailed system from central to local,
operating based on the Vinaya and the Charter of the Vietnam Buddhist
Sangha. The Great Precept Transmission Ordination Ceremony are also
regulated under the Vinaya and this Charter.
Accordingly, The Great Precept Transmission Ordination Ceremony
is held by every the Provincial/City Sangha Administrative at least every
two years, with the approval of the Executive Sangha Committee Council.
Each of the Great Precepts Ceremony held will carry the name of a
late Patriarch or a late virtuous monk so that those who come to the Precepts
know to imitate the Mahatheras with pure precepts, great virtue, revered
virtue, continuing the network of Buddhism, transmitting wisdom light of
the Patriarchs, receiving the flame of compassion and wisdom of the
Buddha.
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The Great Precepts Ceremony divided into seven groups

transmission- receive precepts ordination as follows: ordination of Bhikkhu
precepts (zh.比丘戒), Samanera precepts (zh. 沙彌戒), Bhikkhunis precepts
(zh. 比丘尼戒), sikkhamānā precepts (zh. 式叉摩那戒), Samaneri precepts
(zh. 沙彌尼戒), The Ten Virtuous Actions precepts(zh.十善業戒; [Link]śa
kuśala-karmān) of Laypeople and Bodhisattva precepts (zh. 菩薩戒)(for
both monastics and laypeople).
After the ordination ceremony ends, Those who receive the precepts
(zh. 戒子) will be granted a Received Precepts Certificate by the Department
of Sangha Affairs of the Vietnam Executive Sangha Committee Council
after 5 months.
One more thing to mention, Buddhism in Vietnam has all the sects,
so the Buddhist Sangha, when organizing the great sect, will have its own
place of ordination for each sect, but the Received Precepts Certificate is still
be granted by the Department of Sangha Affairs.
6. Title and Position of Mahathera Transmission Precepts in The Great
Precept Transmission Ordination Ceremony
According to the Vinaya, setting up the place for transmission
precepts only requires full Council of Ten Masters for Sangha Karma to
establish the precepts place, and the method of ordination is enough, but the
influence of ancient feudal history, so the Precepts Place in addition to the
ordination of the Mahayana Buddhist Vinaya, there are also many rituals
following many forms that are introduced into the Great Precept
Transmission Ordination Ceremony to suit the culture of the Vietnamese, for
this reason, that etiquette from a simple place to complex, from simple step
into solemn, forming an ancient profound nuance, spiritual solemnity,
suitable to the culture of thinking and beliefs of the East Asians, especially
Vietnamese. Therefore, there are many titles corresponding to positions in
the Great Precept Place.
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6.1 The Ten Precept Masters Council (zh. 十師會同)

This is an most important Council in the Great Precepts Ceremony,
indispensable, consisting of the Three Precept Masters (zh. 三師; vn. Tam
Sư) and the Seven Noble Witnesses (zh.七證; [Link]ất Chứng).

6.1.1 The Three Precept Masters (zh. 三師)

[Link] The Most Venerable Precepts Transmission Master

The Most Venerable Upadhaya Precepts Transmission Master (vn.
Truyền Giới Hòa Thượng; zh. 戒和尚 or 得戒和尚 or 傳戒和尚) is a
venerable monk transmission precepts, a monk who practices pure, solemn
virtue. Or if a place where the Precepts Place were established have a high-
rise building (vn. Giới Đài; zh. 戒臺) was established solely for ordination,
then this Most Venerable Transmission Precepts would be called Đàn Đầu
Hòa Thượng (vn) (zh. 壇頭和尚) and where open the Precepts Place that
without setting up a high floor just for the purpose of transmitting the
precepts, but the transmits precepts in the Buddha hall or the Sangha hall,
then the Venerable Master transmission precepts is called Đường Đầu Hòa
Thượng (vn) (zh. 堂頭和尚).

[Link] The Sangha Karma Master

The Sangha Karma Master (vn.Yết Ma Sư; zh. 羯磨師 or 羯磨戒師)
also known as the Karma-Acharya (s: karmācārya, p: kammācarya, zh.羯磨
阿闍梨; vn. Yết Ma A Xà Lê) is a virtuous Elder, mastered the Vinaya,
mastered the ways of performing the Sangha Kamma. In the Great Precepts
Ceremony, this venerable monk is in charge of reciting the complete work of
the Kamma (zh. 羯磨), instructing the receiver precepts how Kamma
petition the precepts, for the approval of the Council of the Ten Masters.
According to the Vinaya, the Karma-Acharya must be at least 5 Vassa years
old. However, nowadays there are many monks in Vietnam, so the Karma-
Acharya is of great Vassa age and has great virtue.
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[Link] The Teaching Master

The Teaching Master (vn. Giáo Thọ Sư; zh. 教授師) also known as
the Teaching Acharya (zh. 敎授阿闍梨) is a virtuous Elder who teach the
precepts about morality, teach imposing and guide the precepts for receivers
precepts, is a guide who opens up asking about the obstacles of the receive
precepts of the disciples. This monk's standards are the same as the two
above.
Nowadays, in Vietnam, there are more and more ordained people.
Therefore, there are usually a lot of the receiver precepts in the Great
Precepts Ceremony, so in Vietnam, there will usually be two Most
Venerable Teaching Acharyas. An Most Venerable Teaching Acharya will
ask the disciples about the obstacles of the ordination and remind them when
conducting transmission precepts. According to the Vinaya rules, the receive
precepts, before taking the ordination, must first go through questions and
answers about the obstacles due to the Teaching Acharya ask, if there are no
obstacles, then they can be receive precept. Other Teaching Acharya will
teach precepts.

6.1.2 The Seven Venerable Witnesses (zh. 七尊證師)

The Seven Venerable Noble Witnesses (vn. Thất Tôn Chứng Sư; zh.
七尊證師) is seven venerable monks attended to witness that the Sangha
Karma (practice Transmission-Receive Precepts) is correct. (According to
the Vinaya, there can be only 3 monks if the Great Precepts Ceremony takes
place at the border, few monks, however today, Vietnamese Buddhism is
very developed, so this case does not happen.) According to the Vinaya, the
Seven Venerable Noble Witnesses must be at least 5 Vassa years old.

6.2 The Invite Master (zh. 引請師)

The Invite Master (vn. Dẫn Thỉnh Sư, zh. 引請師) is a guide for the
receiver precepts to practice the rituals and rules of the Great Precepts
Ceremony. Depending on whether the Great Precepts Ceremony is large or
small, there will be two or four the Invite Masters in charge, who are all
 13

knowledgeable in not only ritual but also proficient in Buddhist rituals as

well as the rules of Vinaya, pure virtue.

6.3 The Supervisor Master (zh. 監壇師)

The Supervisor Master (vn. Giám Đàn sư; zh. 監壇師) are monks
who have the responsibility to observe and oversee the practice of the
receive precepts and rite, and at the same time show the majestic and pure
appearance in the Great Precepts Ceremony, self-righteousness, and promote
others follow, do discipline in the Sangha. In the Great Precepts Ceremony
in Vietnam, there are usually 2 Supervisor Masters sitting on either side of
the transmission precepts place, called the Left Supervisor Masters (zh. 左監
壇師)and the Right Supervisor Masters (zh. 右監壇師).

6.4 The Tuyen Vinaya Master (zh. 宣律師)

The Tuyen Vinaya Master (vn. Tuyên Luật Sư; zh. 宣律師) is
Virture Most Venerable, is a fluent mastering the Vinaya who teach
precepts, advise on practice Dhamma and Precepts, etc. ("Tuyen" is a
Vietnamese transcription of the name of Patriarch Tao Xuan (zh. 道宣) who
the founder of the Mahayana Buddhist Vinaya School(zh.律宗) in China,
taking His name like that to commemorate His merit for the Vinaya School.)
and the Tuyen Vinaya Master has the task of proclaiming the precepts for
the disciples to understand the Precepts clearly, opening guide for those who
take precepts" (vn. Khai Đạo Giới Tử; zh. 開道戒子) as well as propaganda
the Vinaya Studies, so it is also called the Tuyen Vinaya Master.
There are also a number of other positions in the Great Precepts
Ceremony but are not very important, so they are not listed here.
7. The main ceremonies, events in the Great Precept Transmission
Ordination Ceremony.
There are many programs of the Great Precepts Ceremony, the main
events can be summarized in the following order: The Examination of the
Precepts Receivers (vn. Khảo Hạch Giới Tử; zh. 考核戒子), Creation of the
 14

Transmission Precepts Place (vn. Kiết giới trường; zh. 結界場)and Opening
the Great Bell and the wooden gong (vn. Khai Chung Bảng; zh. 開鐘板),
Inviting and procession of Vinaya and the image of the Venerable monk is
used to name the Great Precepts Ceremony, Opening the Great Precepts
Ceremony, Proclaiming the titles and Position of the Elders Monks, Opening
guide for those who take precepts, Transmission Samanera, Samaneri
Precepts, Transmission sikkhamānā precepts, Ordination of the Bhikkhus
and Bhikkhunis, Transmission The Ten Virtuous Actions precepts,
Transmission the Bodhisattva precepts, Transmission the Bodhisattva
precepts to the deceased spirit and performing the saving ceremony, helping
the suffering soul pain, hungry ghost and finally the closing ceremony. In
addition, penance ceremonies for purification are always performed and a
number of others make the ceremony more solemn.
During the Great Precepts Ceremony in Vietnam, the ordination
places of the Monks (Sangha) and the Nuns are two different places. But
during the important ceremonies, Nuns had to go to the Sangha's Great
Precepts Place to attend. During the ordination ceremonies of nuns, it is the
Council of the Ten Nuns that is transmitted to the nun precepts receivers
right in the nuns' Great precepts Place, except for the ordination of the
Bhikkhunis precepts, the Council of the Ten Nuns must lead Nuns to the
Sangha's Great Precepts Ceremony to hope receive Bhikkhuni precepts is
transmitted by the Sangha. The ordination of the Bhikkhu/Bhikshuni is
ordained for 3 the Precept Receivers at a time. As for all other ordination
ceremonies, the ordination is collective.
Here would like to only mention the transmission precepts
ceremonies are events important in the Great Precepts Ceremony, in the
order before and after.

7.1. Transmission Samanera, Samaneri Precepts

The summary of the ordination of samanera includes the following
main rites: Inviting the Ten Precept Masters Council; Pay homage to the
Three Jewels and the late Patriarchs; the Ten Precept Masters Council
 15

perform Kamma (the Precept Receivers out); The Teaching Master asked the
Precept Receivers about the 12 obstacles of Samanera/Samaneri's ordination;
Inviting the Three Jewels to prove; Bow giving thanks to the four heavy
graces in life (Grace to heaven and earth, country; Graciousness from
parents; Grace of Master; Grace of benefactors.); Transmission Samanera
Precepts (戒體 and 戒相); Transmission-receive of the Samanera's robe (P.
paṭṭa; zh. 縵衣) and the Water filter (P. Parisravana; zh. 濾水嚢), Transfer
of merit (P. Pariṇāmanā; zh. 回向); Bowing to the Ten Master Precepts
Council and Complete.

7.2 Transmission Bhikkhu, Bhikkhuni Precepts

Before taking the precepts, of course, the precepts must repent for
purity, in addition, every bhikkhu Precepts Receivers should repent himself
(vn. Phát lồ Sám Hối; zh. 發露懺悔, P. Pratideśanā) confess the sins of the
10 samanera precepts before the precepts Master (if any). If one is purified,
that one will be ordained.
The summary of the ordination of samanera includes the following
main rites: Inviting the Ten Precept Masters Council; Pay homage to the
Three Jewels and the late Patriarchs; the Ten Precept Masters Council
perform Kamma (the Precept Receivers out); The Teaching Master check
three robes and alms bowls and asked the Precept Receivers about the many
obstacles of Bhikkhu's ordination; The Teaching Master leads the Precepts
Receivers to inside, the Sangha Karma Master to check and ask again as
above. Inviting the Three Jewels to prove; The Ten Masters Council
performed the ñatti-catuttha-kamma (vn. Bạch Tứ Yết Ma; zh. 白四羯磨) to
transmission Bhikkhu precepts (zh. 戒體) for 3 receivers once. All will then
receive 250 bhikkhus (zh. 戒相); Transmission 4 things that samaṇa (zh. 沙
門) should do. take off Samanera robe. Transmission-receive of three
Bhikkhu's robes, Alms Bowl, Nisidana (zh. 坐具) and the Water filter.
Transfer of merit; Bowing to the Ten Master Precepts Council and
Complete.
 16

Particularly, the ordination ceremony of Bhikkhuni will be

performed before the witness of the Ten Master Councils of both monks and
nuns. However, today due to the large number of Precepts Receivers the
means allow the Nuns to be ordained at the nuns' place and then take the
nuns to the Great Sangha to transmission on the Eight Dharma Respect (vn.
Bát Kỉnh Pháp; P. aṭṭha garudhammā, zh. 八敬法) of the Bhikkhuni.

7.3 Transmission Bodhisattva Precepts

The Bodhisattva thought is only in the Mahayana, so the
Bodhisattva precepts are also only in the Mahayana, most specifically can be
found in the Brahmajāla Bodhisattva Śīla Sūtra (vn. Phạm Võng Bồ Tát giới
Kinh; zh. 梵網菩薩戒經), which are the sutra used as the refuge of the
Bodhisattva precepts in Vietnam. Here only talk about transmission
Bodhisattva precepts, so do not mention much about the origin or
appearance of the Bodhisattva precepts.
The special feature of the Bodhisattva precepts is that all beings are
equal, have Buddha-nature, regardless of whether the monk or layman,
human or god, or animal, whenever he understands the words of the Precepts
Master, so they will can receive Bodhisattva precepts. Therefore, the Great
Precepts Ceremony of the Bodhisattva precepts is common to both monks
and lay people.
A summary of the rites of the Bodhisattva ordination ceremony in
Vietnam are as follows: Inviting a Mahathera who will to perform the
dhamma inviting Buddha transmission Bodhisattva precepts and four
Venerable Witnesses; Inviting and Homage the Three Jewels to prove; The
Precept Masters Council perform Kamma; Praise and briefly talk about the
Bodhisattva Precepts so that the Precepts Receivers will develop a strong
mind; The Teaching Master asked the Precept Receivers about the Seven
obstacles of Bodhisattva's ordination;
Inviting the Buddha and Bodhisattva to be the Precepts Masters:
This is a special feature of the Bodhisattva ordination ceremony, the monks
are only instructors for the precepts Receivers, and the one who transmits the
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precepts to the precepts Receivers is the Buddha. As follows: Shakyamuni

Buddha is the Most Venerable Precepts Transmission Master; Manjusri
Bodhisattva (zh. 文殊师利菩薩) is the Karma Master; Maitreya Bodhisattva
(zh. 彌勒菩薩) is the Teaching Master; The Buddhas in the ten directions is
the Venerable Witnesses; The Bodhisattvas in the ten directions are close
friends;
The Master Council replaced Precepts Receivers to ask the Buddha
transmission Bodhisattva precepts; The Master advised the precepts
receivers to generate Bodhi mind; Transmission-received the four objects of
unfailing faith (P. catudhammapariyāyaṃ; zh. 四不壞信): Believe in
Buddha; Believe in the Dharma; Believe in the Sangha; Believe in Moral
precepts; Briefly teach the Four Noble Truths and make 4 vast vows (zh. 四
弘誓願, Skt. sannāha-sannaddha); The Master Council come before Buddha
performed Karma transmission Bodhisattva precepts; Advice and Transfer
of merit
After this ceremony, there will be a burning ceremony dots on a
monk's head. This is a ceremony according to the wishes of the monks. The
monks will burn dots on their heads with the vow to make offerings of their
lives to the Three Jewels, vow to devote themselves to and serve the Triple
Gem. Burn dots on a monk's head more or less depending on the wishes of
the monks, usually three dots in Vietnam. Lay people can also burn dots, but
very rarely, and only burn dots at the hand.
In addition, the ordination ceremony of sikkhamānā precepts,
Samaneri precepts, and the Ten Virtuous Actions precepts is similar to the
ordination ceremony of Samanera ordination.
8. Meaning of The Great Precept Transmission Ordination Ceremony
The Great Precept Transmission Ordination Ceremony is extremely
important, it can be said that the selection of the monastic monk to officially
join the ranks of the Sangha is an important and prerequisite of the Sangha.
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It determines the destiny of the Sangha in the mission of transmitting the

Dharma, making the Dharma endure, and living beings are at peace.
Recruiting people to learn the Dharma and become a Buddha,
becomes an extremely important Buddhist job not only for organizing the
sect but also a Sangha Church at any time, any space in the cause of
promoting the Dharma, especially those who officially join the ranks of the
Sangha to carry out the mission of self-reliance and degrees for others.
Buddhist Sangha increasingly developed. The need for ordination is
increasing, so the organization of the Great Precepts Ceremony is very
necessary. On the other hand, The larger the enrollment of new disciples of
the monks in the Sangha can certainly be somewhat permissive, lack of
selection, may lead to the fact that the Sangha in some localities no longer
has harmony, the pure union, etc., sometimes even harming the Sangha.
Since then, joining the Sangha need to be carefully selected, requires more
conditions, especially when the precepts are formed more and more to meet
the requirements of purity and harmony in the Sangha among a large number
of Bhikkhu-disciples of the Buddha. In other words, the Great Precepts
Ceremony is the great Buddha, helping to select fully qualified people to
stand in the ranks of the monastics. Moreover, this is also an opportunity for
lay Buddhists to have the opportunity to develop their own practice. When
the hierarchy of monks develops both virtue and precepts, and ranks of
faithful lay people with precepts, Buddhism will flourish and spread
everywhere.
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Conclusion
Vietnamese Buddhism has developed over two thousand years of
history, always accompanying the Vietnamese people and people. With
many ups and downs of events, it still retains its majestic spirit, compassion
and salvation. It is associated with the source of the sangha, but the quality
sangha is associated with the Great Precepts Ceremony. The Vietnamese
Great Precepts Ceremony has been around for a long time, before China,
affirming the strong vitality and individuality of Vietnamese Buddhism.
Learn about the origins, about the history of the establishment of the
Great Precepts Ceremony, so we can realize that: The Vinaya River will
flow endlessly in the heart of the universe, to nurture eternal life for the
Buddha Dharma, for trees life is forever green. The received precepts, keep
precepts and transmission precepts are the primary responsibility of the
renunciation disciples and the meeting between the past and present Sangha
is there. Let us put our faith in the existential role of the Vinaya, assert the
permanence of the Dharma. From there, whether the monk or the monk, as a
Buddhist disciple, must always consider the precepts as the basic step for the
path towards spiritual clairvoyance, total liberation, to bring happiness and
security. for ourselves and sentient beings.

References
Le Manh That. “Lịch sử Phật Giáo Việt Nam I” (History of
Vietnam Buddhism), Ho Chi Minh City Publishing House.
Fo Guang Dictionary of Buddhism 佛光大辭典.
Most Venerable Thích Thiện Hòa, “Giới Đàn Tăng” (The Great
Precepts Ceremony Sangha), Religion publishing house.