threefold refuge and observance of the five precepts ［三帰五戒］ ( sanki-gokai): To be faithful to the three treasures of the Buddha, the Law (the teaching), and the Buddhist Order (community of believers), and observe the five precepts of not killing, not stealing, not committing sexual misconduct, not lying, and not drinking intoxicants. The threefold refuge and observance of the five precepts were essential to admission to the Order as a lay believer. In the ceremony of admission, a candidate for the Order recited the formula “I take refuge in the Buddha, I take refuge in the Law, I take refuge in the Order,” and took a vow to observe the five precepts. Thus the candidate was received into the Order as a lay practitioner.