A Zen Buddhist Community in Shelburne, Vermont

Chants and Sutras

“Mind is unlimited. Chanting when performed egolessly has the power to penetrate visible and invisible worlds.”

Roshi Philip Kapleau

Audio Files

Audio files in mp3 format are within the toggles for each chant if recordings are available. To save, right click then select “Save Link As.”

Using a mobile device? You might find the Toronto Zen Centre's Chant Application helpful: you can browse and view the set of chants below on your phone and easily access the audio recording where available. You can also download the chants for offline listening and reading.

Chants and Sutras

mp3 audio of Prajna Paramita

The Bodhisattva of Compassion from the depths of prajna wisdom
saw the emptiness of all five skandhas and sundered the bonds
that create suff’ring.

Know then:
Form here is only emptiness, emptiness only form.
Form is no other than emptiness, emptiness no other than form.
Feeling, thought and choice consciousness itself
are the same as this.

Dharmas here are empty, all are the primal void.
None are born or die. Nor are they stained or pure,
nor do they wax or wane.

So in emptiness no form, no feeling, thought or choice,
nor is there consciousness. No eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind;
no color, sound, smell, taste, touch or what the mind takes hold of,
nor even act of sensing.

No ignorance or end of it, nor all that comes of ignorance:
no withering, no death, no end of them.
Nor is there pain or cause of pain or cease in pain or noble path
to lead from pain, not even wisdom to attain, attainment too is emptiness.

So know that the Bodhisattva, holding to nothing whatever
but dwelling in prajna wisdom, is freed of delusive hindrance,
rid of the fear bred by it, and reaches clearest nirvana.

All buddhas of past and present, buddhas of future time
through faith in prajna wisdom come to full enlightenment.

Know then the great dharani, the radiant, peerless mantra,
the supreme, unfailing mantra, the Prajna Paramita,
whose words allay all pain. This is highest wisdom,
true beyond all doubt, know and proclaim its truth:

Gate, gate
paragate
parasamgate
bodhi, svaha!

mp3 audio of Kanzeon

Kanzeon!
Praise to Buddha!
All are one with Buddha,
all awake to Buddha—
Buddha, Dharma, Sangha—
eternal, joyous, selfless, pure.
Through the day Kanzeon,
Through the night Kanzeon.
This moment springs from Mind.
This moment itself is Mind.

mp3 audio of En Mei Jikku Kannon Gyo

Kanzeon!
Namu Butsu
Yo Butsu U In
Yo Butsu U En
Bup Po So En
Jo Raku Ga Jo
Cho Nen Kanzeon
Bo Nen Kanzeon
Nen Nen Ju Shin Ki
Nen Nen Fu Ri Shin

mp3 audio of Affirming Faith in Mind

LEADER:
The Great Way . . .

ALL:
is not difficult
for those who do not pick and choose.

When pref’rences are cast aside
the Way stands clear and undisguised.

But even slight distinctions made
set earth and heaven far apart.

If you would clearly see the truth,
discard opinions pro and con.

To founder in dislike and like
is nothing but the mind’s disease.

And not to see the Way’s deep truth
disturbs the mind’s essential peace.

The Way is perfect like vast space,
where there’s no lack and no excess.

Our choice to choose and to reject
prevents our see’ng this simple truth.

Both striving for the outer world
as well as for the inner void
condemn us to entangled lives.

Just calmly see that all is One
and by themselves false views will go.

Attempts to stop activity
will fill you with activity.

Remaining in duality,
you’ll never know of unity.

And not to know this unity
lets conflict lead you far astray.

When you assert that things are real
you miss their true reality.

But to assert that things are void
also misses reality.

The more you talk and think on this
the further from the truth you’ll be.

Cut off all useless thoughts and words
and there’s nowhere you cannot go.

Returning to the root itself,
you’ll find the meaning of all things.

If you pursue appearances
you overlook the primal source.

Awak’ning is to go beyond
both emptiness as well as form.

All changes in this empty world
seem real because of ignorance.

Do not go searching for the truth,
just let those fond opinions go.

Abide not in duality,
refrain from all pursuit of it.

If there’s a trace of right and wrong,
True-mind is lost, confused, distraught.

From One-mind comes duality,
but cling not even to this One.

When this One-mind rests undisturbed
then nothing in the world offends.

And when no thing can give offense,
then all obstructions cease to be.

If all thought-objects disappear
the thinking subject drops away.

For things are things because of mind,
as mind is mind because of things.

These two are merely relative
and both at source are Emptiness.

In Emptiness these are not two,
yet in each are contained all forms.

Once coarse and fine are seen no more,
then how can there be taking sides?

The Great Way is without limit,
beyond the easy and the hard.

But those who hold to narrow views
are fearful and irresolute;
their frantic haste just slows them down.

If you’re attached to anything,
you surely will go far astray.

Just let go now of clinging mind,
and all things are just as they are.
In essence nothing goes or stays.

See into the true self of things,
and you’re in step with the Great Way,
thus walking freely, undisturbed.

But live in bondage to your thoughts,
and you will be confused, unclear.
This heavy burden weighs you down—
so why keep judging good and bad?

If you would walk the highest Way,
do not reject the sense domain.

For as it is, whole and complete,
this sense world is enlightenment.

The wise do not strive after goals,
but fools place bonds upon themselves.

The One Way knows no diff’rences,
the foolish cling to this and that.

To see Great Mind with thinking mind
is certainly a grave mistake.

From small mind come rest and unrest,
but mind awakened transcends both.

Delusion spawns dualities—
these dreams are merely flow’rs of air—
why work so hard at grasping them?

Both gain and loss, and right and wrong—
once and for all get rid of them.

When you no longer are asleep,
all dreams will vanish by themselves.

If mind does not discriminate,
all things are as they are, as One.

To go to this mysterious Source
frees us from all entanglements.

When all is seen with “equal mind,”
to our Self-nature we return.

This single mind goes right beyond
all reasons and comparison.

Stop movement and there’s no movement,
Stop rest and no-rest comes instead.

When rest and no-rest cease to be,
then even oneness disappears.

This ultimate finality’s
beyond all laws, can’t be described.

With single mind one with the Way,
all ego-centered strivings cease;

Doubts and confusion disappear,
and so true faith pervades our life.

There is no thing that clings to us,
and nothing that is left behind.

All’s self-revealing, void and clear,
without exerting power of mind.

Thought cannot reach this state of truth,
here feelings are of no avail.

In this true world of Emptiness
both self and other are no more.

To enter this true empty world,
immediately affirm “not-two.”

In this “not-two” all is the same,
with nothing separate or outside.

The wise in all times and places
awaken to this primal truth.

The Way’s beyond all space, all time,
one instant is ten thousand years.

Not only here, not only there,
truth’s right before your very eyes.

Distinctions such as large and small
have relevance for you no more.

The largest is the smallest too—
here limitations have no place.

What is is not, what is not is
if this is not yet clear to you,
you’re still far from the inner truth.

One thing is all, all things are one—
know this and all’s whole and complete.

When faith and Mind are not sep’rate,
and not sep’rate are Mind and faith,
this is beyond all words, all thought

For here there is no yesterday,
no tomorrow,
no today.

No audio for this chant

LEADER:
The mind of . . .

ALL:
the great sage of In-di-a
is inti-mate-ly trans-mitted from west to east.
While human facul-ties are sharp or dull,
the Way has no north-ern or southern ances-tors.
The subtle source shines clear in the light;
the branching streams flow on in the dark.
Gras-ping at things is sure-ly de-lu-sion ac-cor-ding with
same-ness is still not en-lighten-ment.
All the ob-jects of the sen-ses
inter-act and yet do not.
Inter-ac-ting brings in-volve-ment.
Other-wise, each keeps its place.
Sights vary in charac-ter and form,
sounds differ as pleas-ing or harsh.
Re-fined and coarse speech
come to-gether in the dark,
Clear and murky phra-ses
are dis-tinguished in the light.
The four ele-ments re-turn to their na-tures
just as a child turns to its mo-ther;
Fire heats, wind moves,
water wets, earth is sol-id.
Eye and sights, ear and sounds,
nose and smells, tongue and tastes;
Thus with each and every-thing,
de-pending on these roots, the leaves spread forth.
Trunk and bran-ches share the es-sence;
re-fined and com-mon, each has its speech.
In the light there is dark but don’t take it as dark;
in the dark there is light, but don’t see it as light
Light and dark op-pose one a-noth-er
like the front and back foot in walk-ing.
Each of the myriad things has its mer-it ex-pressed
ac-cording to func-tion and place.
Phe-nome-na e-xist — box and lid fit;
princi-ple re-sponds — arrow points meet.
Hear-ing the words, under-stand the mean-ing;
don’t set up stan-dards of your own.
If you don’t under-stand the Way right be-fore you,
how will you know the path as you walk?
Pro-gress is not a mat-ter of far or near,
but if you are con-fused, moun-tains and ri-vers block your way.
I re-spect-fully urge you who stu-dy the myster-y do
not pass your days and nights in vain.

mp3 audio of The Lotus Sutra Scripture

LEADER:
In verse Mujinni Bodhisattva asked,
“World Honored One possessor of all grace
For what reason is the heir of the Buddha named Kanzeon?”

ALL:
The World Honored One answered too in verse:
“Listen to the actions of Kanzeon
Which have their application to all!
Her vow is deep like the ocean
Unfathomable though kalpas pass
A myriad of Buddhas she has truly served
And made a great, pure vow.
If you hear her name and see her body,
and bear her in mind,
Your life will not be in vain;
And you will end all sufferings.
If someone wants to hurt you
And pushes you into a great firepit,
If you think on the power of Kanzeon
The firepit will change into a pond.
If you’re cast adrift upon the vast ocean
And meet danger from dragons, fish and demons,
If you think on the power of Kanzeon
The waves will not drown you.
If from the peak of Sumeru
Someone would push you down
If you think on the power of Kanzeon
Like the sun you will stand firm in the sky.
If evil ones chase you
And push you from Mount Diamond,
If you think on the power of Kanzeon
Not even a single hair will be harmed.
If robbers surround you
Each with a sword drawn to strike,
If you think on the power of Kanzeon
Compassion will awaken in them.
If you suffer by royal command
And your life is to end in execution,
If you think on the power of Kanzeon
The sword will be broken to bits.
If you are imprisoned,
Shackled, and chained,
If you think on the power of Kanzeon
The fetters will drop and you’ll be released.
If someone wants to injure you
With curses or poison,
If you think on the power of Kanzeon
These ills will return from whence they came.
If you meet evil rakshas,
Poisonous dragons or demons,
If you think on the power of Kanzeon
They will not dare to harm you.
If you are surrounded by evil beasts
Whose teeth and claws are fearfully sharp,
If you think on the power of Kanzeon
They will run away in boundless retreat.
If vipers, lizards, snakes or scorpions,
Threaten to scorch you with poisonous breath
If you think on the power of Kanzeon
They will turn away quickly at the sound
of your voice.
If clouds thunder and lightning flashes,
If hailstones beat and rain pours down,
If you think on the power of Kanzeon
Immediately they will vanish away.
If sentient beings are in great adversity
And immeasurable suffering presses them down,
The wonderful power of the wisdom of Kannon can relieve the sufferings of the world.
Endowed with transcendent powers
Full master of wisdom and skillful means,
In all the worlds in the ten directions,
There’s no place she doesn’t manifest herself.
The suff’rings of those in the troubled states:
Hell dwellers, hungry spirits, and beasts;
The sufferings of birth, old age, illness and death all by degrees are ended by her.
She of the true gaze, she of the pure gaze,
gaze of great and encompassing wisdom,
gaze of pity, gaze of compassion—
ever longed for, ever revered.
She is a spotless pure ray of light,
A sun of wisdom dispelling darkness.
Subduer of woes of storm and fire
Illumining all the world.
Her will of compassion shakes like thunder;
Her mind of mercy is like a great cloud
Which sends down sweet dew of Dharma rain to quench the flames of earthly desires.
In disputes before judges or in the midst of battle,
If you think on the power of Kanzeon
All enemies will flee away.
She has a wondrous voice,
The voice of one who perceives the world,
A brahma voice, voice of the rolling tide,
A voice unsurpassed in all this world;
Therefore you should always think on her.
Have no doubt, even for a moment
The pure seer Kanzeon will be a refuge
When suffering distress or the misery of death. She is endowed with every quality.
Her eye of compassion views all sentient beings, her ocean of blessings is beyond measure. Therefore you should pay homage to her.”

Then Jiji bodhisattva arose,
Stood before the Buddha and addressed him thus:
“World Honored One, they who hear this scripture
Of Kanzeon bosatsu, and hear of her deeds
And transcendent powers,
No small amount of merit will they gain.”

Lead Chanter: (All with hands in gassho)
When the Buddha taught the scripture of the life and work of the All-Sided One, all present then in number eighty-four thousand strong, with all their hearts cherished a longing for the Supreme Enlightenment, with which nothing in all the universe compares.

mp3 audio of The Ancestral Line

LEADER:
O Awakened Ones! May the power of your samadhi sustain us. We now return the merit of our chanting to:

ALL (Hands in Gassho):
Vipashyin Buddha, Honored One
Shikhin Buddha, Honored One
Vishvabhu Buddha, Honored One
Krakucchanda Buddha, Honored One
Kanakamuni Buddha, Honored One
Kashyapa Buddha, Honored One
Shakyamuni Buddha, Honored One
Mahakashyapa, Honored One
Ananda, Honored One
Shanavasa, Honored One
Upagupta, Honored One
Dhritaka, Honored One
Miccaka, Honored One
Vasumitra, Honored One
Buddhanandi, Honored One
Buddhamitra, Honored One
Bhikshu Parshva, Honored One
Punyayashas, Honored One
Ashvaghosha, Honored One
Kapimala, Honored One
Nagarjuna, Honored One
Kanadeva, Honored One
Rahulata, Honored One
Sanghanandi, Honored One
Gayashata, Honored One
Kumarata, Honored One
Jayata, Honored One
Vasubandhu, Honored One
Manorhita, Honored One
Haklenayashas, Honored One
Bhikshu Simha, Honored One
Basiasita, Honored One
Punyamitra, Honored One
Prajnatara, Honored One
Bodhidharma, Honored One

Tai-dzoo Hway ku, Honored One
(T’ai-tsu Hui-k’o)
Jyen-jrh Sung-tsan, Honored One
(Chien-chih Seng-ts’an)
Dah-yee Dau-syin, Honored One
(Ta-i Tao-hsin)
Dah-mahn Hoong-ren, Honored One
(Ta-man Hung-jen)
Dah-jyen Hway-nung, Honored One
(Ta-chien Hui-neng)
Ching-yuen Sying-sih, Honored One
(Ching-yuan Hsing-ssu)
Shr-toe Syi-chien, Honored One
(Shih-t’ou Hsi-ch’ien)
Yueh-shan Way-yen, Honored One
(Yueh-shan Wei-yen)
Yoon-yen Tahn-shung, Honored One
(Yun-yen T’an-sheng)
Doong-shan Lyang-jyeh, Honored One
(Tung-shan Liang-chieh)
Yoon-joo Dow-ying, Honored One
(Yun-chu Tao-ying)
Toong-ahn Dow-ying, Honored One
(T’ung-an Tao-ying)
Toong-ahn Gwon-jrh, Honored One
(T’ung-an Kuan-chih)
Lyang-shan Yuen-gwan, Honored One
(Liang-shan Yuan-kuan)
Dah-yahng Jing-shwen, Honored One
(Ta-yang Ching-hsuan)
Toe-dz Yee-ching, Honored One
(T’ou-tzu I-ch’ing)
Fu-roong Dow-kai, Honored One
(Fu-jung Tao-k’ai)
Dhan-shah Dz-chun, Honored One
(Tan-hsia Tzu-ch’un)
Jun-syeh Ching-lyiao, Honored One
(Chen-hsieh Ch’ing-liao)
Tyen-toong Dzoong-jueh, Honored One
(T’ien-t’ung Tsung-chueh)
Shueh-doe Jrh-jyen, Honored One
(Hsueh-tou Chih-chien)
Tyen-toong Roo-jing, Honored One
(T’ien-t’ung Ju-ching)

Eihei Dogen, Honored One
Koun Ejo, Honored One
Tetsu Gikai, Honored One
Keizan Jokin, Honored One
Meiho Sotetsu, Honored One
Shugan Dochin, Honored One
Tessan Shikaku, Honored One
Keigan Eisho, Honored One
Chuzan Ryoun, Honored One
Gisan Tonin, Honored One
Shogaku Kenryu, Honored One
Kinen Horyu, Honored One
Teishitsu Chisen, Honored One
Kokei Shojun, Honored One
Sesso Yuho, Honored One
Kaiten Genju, Honored One
Shuzan Shunsho, Honored One
Chozan Genetsu, Honored One
Fukushu Kochi, Honored One
Myodo Yuton, Honored One
Hakuho Gentekki, Honored One
Gesshu Soko, Honored One
Tokuo Ryoko, Honored One
Hogan Soren, Honored One
Sekiso Tesshu, Honored One
Ryuko Ryoshu, Honored One
Renzan Soho, Honored One
Motsugai shido, Honored One
Gukei Youn, Honored One
Kakusho Sodo, Honored One
Daiun Sogaku, Honored One
Hakuun Ryoko, Honored One
Philip Kapleau, Honored One

LEADER:
You who have handed down the light of Dharma,
we shall repay your benevolence.

ALL:
Ten Directions, Three Worlds,
All Buddhas, Bodhisattva-mahasattvas,
Maha Prajna Paramita.

mp3 audio of Honzon Eko, 10 Directions, Four Vows

(Chanted with hands in gassho)

LEADER:
Faith in Buddha, Dharma, Sangha
brings true liberation.
We now return the merit of our chanting to:
Shakyamuni Buddha
Manjusri Bodhisattva
Avalokita Bodhisattva
Bhadra Bodhisattva
We place our faith in the Great Heart of Perfect Wisdom.
May all beings attain Buddhahood!

TEN DIRECTIONS

ALL:
Ten Directions, Three Worlds,
All Buddhas, Bodhisattva-mahasattvas
Maha Prajna Paramita.

mp3 audio of Honzon Eko, 10 Directions, Four Vows

(Chanted with hands in gassho.)

All beings, without number, I vow to liberate.
Endless blind passions, I vow to uproot.
Dharma gates, beyond measure, I vow to penetrate.
The Great Way of Buddha, I vow to attain.

Dharanis and Mantras

mp3 audio of Dai Hi Shin

Namu Kara Tan No Tora Ya Ya Namu Ori Ya Boryo Ki Chi Shifu Ra Ya
Fuji Sato Bo Ya Moko Sato Bo Ya Mo Ko Kya Runi Kya Ya En Sa
Hara Ha Ei Shu Tan No Ton Sha Namu Shiki Ri Toi Mo Ori Ya
Boryo Ki Chi Shifu Ra Rin To Bo Na Mu No Ra Kin Ji
Ki Ri Mo Ko Ho Do Sha Mi Sa Bo O To Jo Shu Ben
O Shu In Sa Bo Sa To No Mo Bo Gya Mo Ha Tei Cho
To Ji To En O Bo Ryo Ki Ru Gya Chi Kya Rya Chi I
Kiri Mo Ko Fuji Sa To Sa Bo Sa Bo Mo Ra Mo Ra Mo Ki Mo Ki
Ri To In Ku Ryo Ku Ryo Ke Mo To Ryo To Ryo
Ho Ja Ya Chi Mo Ko Ho Ja Ya Chi To Ra To Ra Chiri Ni Shifu Ra Ya
Sha Ro Sha Ro Mo Mo Ha Mo Ra Ho Chi Ri Yu Ki Yu Ki Shi No Shi No
Ora San Fura Sha Ri Ha Za Ha Za Fura Sha Ya
Ku Ryo Ku Ryo Mo Ra Ku Ryo Ku Ryo Ki Ri Sha Ro Sha Ro Shi Ri Shi Ri
Su Ryo Su Ryo Fuji Ya Fuji Ya Fudo Ya Fudo Ya Mi Chiri Ya Nora Kin Ji
Chiri Shuni No Hoya Mono Somo Ko Shido Ya Somo Ko
Moko Shido Ya Somo Ko Shidu Yu Ki Shifu Ra Ya Somo Ko
Nora Kin Ji Somo Ko Mo Ra No Ra Somo Ko Shira Su Omo Gya Ya
Somo Ko Sobo Moko Shido Ya Somo Ko Shaki Ra Oshi Do Ya
Somo Ko Hodo Mogya Shido Ya Somo Ko Nora Kin Ji Ha Gyara Ya
Somo Ko Mo Hori Shin Gyara Ya Somo Ko Namu Kara Tan No
Tora Ya Ya Namu Ori Ya Boryo Ki Chi Shifu Ra Ya
Somo Ko Shite Do Modo Ra Hodo Ya So Mo Ko.

mp3 audio of Sho Sai Myo

No Mo Sam Man Da Moto Nam Oha Ra Chi
Koto Sha Sono Nan To Ji To En
Gya Gya Gya Ki Gya Ki
Un Nun Shifu Ra Shifu Ra
Hara Shifu Ra Hara Shifu Ra
Chishu Sa Chishu Sa
Chishu Ri Chishu Ri
Soha Ja Soha Ja
Sen Chi Gya Shiri Ei Somo Ko

mp3 audio of MANTRA OF BHAISAJYAGURU

Na Mo Bha Ga Va Te Bhai Sa Jya Gu Ru
Vai Du Rya Pra Bha Ra Ja Ya Ta Tha Ga Ta
Ya Ar Ha Te Sam Yak Sam Bud Dha Ya
Ta Dya Tha Om Bhai Sa Jye Bhai Sa Jye
Bhai Sa Jya Sam Mud Ga Te Sva Ha

mp3 audio of DHARANI OF AVALOKITESVARA

Na-mo rat-na
tra-ya-ya
na-mah
ar-ya a-va-lo-ki-tes-va-ra-ya
bo-dhi-satt-va-ya ma-ha-satt-va-ya
ma-ha ka-ru-ni-ka-ya
o-om
sa-ba-la va-ti
su-dha-na-tas-ya
na-mas kri-va-ni-mam
ar-ya a-va-lo-ki-tes-va-ra
lam-ta-bha na-mo
ni-la-kan-tha
sri-ma-ha-pa-ta-sa-mi
sar-va-to-dhu-su-phem
a-si-yum sar-va-sa-da
na-ma bha-ga
ma-bha-te-tu
tad-ya-tha o-om
a-va-lo-ki lo-ka-te
ka-la-ti e-si-li
ma-ha bo-dhi-satt-va
sa-bho sa-bho
ma-ra ma-ra
ma-si ma-si
ri-dha-yum
gu-ru gu-ru
ga-mam
tu-ru tu-ru
bha-si-ya-ti
ma-ha
vha-si-ya-ti
dha-ra dha-ra
dhi-ri-ni sva-ra-ya
ja-la ja-la
ma-ma bha-ma-ra
mu-dhi-li
e-dhye-hi
si-na si-na
a-la-sim
bha-la-sa-ri bha-sa
bha-sim bha-ra-sa-ya
hu-lu hu-lu pra
hu-lu hu-lu
sri sa-ra sa-ra
si-ri si-ri su-ru su-ru
bu-dhi bu-dhi
bu-dha-ya bu-dha-ya
mai-tri-ye
ni-la-kan-tha
tri-sa-ra-na
bha-ya-ma-na sva-ha
si-ta-ya sva-ha
ma-ha si-ta-ya sva-ha si-ta-ya-ye
sva-ra-ya sva-ha
ni la-kan-thi sva-ha
pra-ni-la sva-ha
sri si-dha
mu-kha-ya sva-ha
sar-va ma-ha
as-ta-ya sva-ha
cak-ra as-ta-ya sva-ha
pad-ma ke-sa-ya sva-ha
ni-la-kan-the
pan-ta-la-ya sva-ha
mo-bho-li-san-ka-ra-ye sva-ha
na-mo rat-na tra-ya-ya
na-mah ar-ya a-va-lo-ki-ta
is-var-a-ya sva-ha
o-om
sidh-yan-tu
man-tra pa-ta-ye sva-ha!

Recitations

mp3 audio of Chant in Praise of Zazen

From the beginning all beings are Buddha.
Like water and ice, without water no ice,
outside us no Buddhas.

How near the truth yet how far we seek,
like one in water crying “I thirst!”
Like a child of rich birth
wand’ring poor on this earth,
we endlessly circle the six worlds.

The cause of our sorrow is ego delusion.
From dark path to dark path
we’ve wandered in darkness—
how can we be free from the wheel of samsara?
The gateway to freedom is zazen samadhi—
beyond exaltation, beyond all our praises,
the pure Mahayana.

Observing the precepts,
repentance and giving,
the countless good deeds,
and the way of right living
all come from zazen.

Thus one true samadhi extinguishes evils;
it purifies karma, dissolving obstructions.
Then where are the dark paths that
lead us astray?
The pure lotus land is not far away.
Hearing this truth, heart humble and grateful,
to praise and embrace it,
to practice its wisdom,
brings unending blessings,
brings mountains of merit.

And if we turn inward
and prove our True-nature—
that True-self is no-self,
our own Self is no-self—
we go beyond ego and past clever words.

Then the gate to the oneness
of cause and effect
is thrown open.
Not two and not three,
straight ahead runs the Way.

Our form now being no-form,
in going and returning we never leave home.
Our thought now being no-thought,
our dancing and songs are the
voice of the Dharma.

How vast is the heaven
of boundless samadhi!
How bright and transparent
the moonlight of wisdom!

What is there outside us,
what is there we lack?

Nirvana is openly shown to our eyes.
This earth where we stand
is the pure lotus land,
and this very body the body of Buddha.

mp3 audio of The Way of the Bodhisattva

Thus by the virtue collected
Through all that I have done,
May the pain of every living creature
Be completely cleared away!

May I be the doctor and the medicine
And may I be the nurse
For the sick beings in the world
Until everyone is healed!

May a rain of food and drink descend
To clear away the pain of thirst and hunger,
And during the eon of famine
May I myself change into food and drink!

May I become an inexhaustible treasure
For those who are poor and destitute;
May I turn into all things they need
And may these be placed close beside them!

Whether those who encounter me
Conceive a faithful or an angry thought,
May that always become the source
For fulfilling all their wishes!

May all who say bad things to me
Or cause me any other harm,
And those who mock and insult me
Have the fortune to awaken fully!

May I be a protector of those without one,
A guide for all travelers on the way;

May I be a bridge, a boat, and a ship
For all who wish to cross the water!

May I be an island for those who seek one,
And a lamp for those desiring light!
May I be a bed for all who wish to rest.

May I be a wishing jewel, a magic vase,
Powerful mantras, and great medicine,
May I be a wish-fulfilling tree,
And a cow of plenty for the world!

Just like space
And the great elements such as earth,
May I always support the life
Of all the countless creatures!

And until they're free from suffering,
May I also be the source of life
For all the realms of varied beings
That reach unto the ends of space!

Just as the previous Sugatas
Conceived the Spirit of Enlightenment,
And just as they successively lived
In the Bodhisattva practices

Likewise for the sake of all that lives
Do I conceive the Spirit of
Enlightenment,
And likewise shall I too
Successively follow the practices.

mp3 audio of Meal Chants

LEADER:
With all that lives
let us honor the Three Treasures.
Let us recall the exertions
of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

(clappers)

ALL:
This meal is the labor of countless beings—
let us remember their toil.
Defilements are many and exertions weak—
do we deserve this offering?
Gluttony stems from greed—
let us be moderate.
Our lives are sustained by this offering—
let us be grateful.
We take this food to attain the Buddha Way.

(Food is served—put a piece of dry food aside for the hungry ghost dish when it is passed around and have some liquid in your cup for the thirsty spirit offering.)

VERSE OF THE MAIN MEAL

(clappers—all with raised bowl or plate)

LEADER:
Our meal is offered—

ALL:
—to Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
With teachers and family,
with nations and all life
let us equally share.
To beings throughout the six worlds
we offer this meal.

OFFERING TO THE PRETAS

(clappers—hands in gassho)

ALL:
All hungry ghosts!
All tortured spirits!
Now we give you this Dharma-food.
May it fill the ten directions
and satisfy hunger in realms of darkness.

All hungry ghosts!
All tortured spirits!
Abandon greed and rouse the desire for
enlightenment!

(clappers—hands in gassho)

ALL:
To you spirits tortured by thirst
we give this liquid offering.
May your thirst be relieved,
May your suffering diminish.
May all beings attain Buddhahood!

(food is eaten)

Precepts and Prayers

mp3 audio of The Three Treasures

I TAKE REFUGE IN BUDDHA,
and resolve that with all beings
I will understand the Great Way
whereby the Buddha seed may forever thrive.
I TAKE REFUGE IN DHARMA,
and resolve that with all beings
I will enter deeply into the sutra-treasure
whereby my wisdom may grow as vast as the ocean.
I TAKE REFUGE IN SANGHA,
and in its wisdom, example, and never failing help,
and resolve to live in harmony with all sentient beings.
I resolve to avoid evil.
I resolve to do good.
I resolve to liberate all sentient beings.
I resolve not to kill, but to cherish all life.
I resolve not to take what is not given, but to respect the things of others.
I resolve not to engage in improper sexuality, but to be caring and responsible.
I resolve not to lie but to speak the truth.
I resolve not to cause others to take substances that confuse the mind, nor to do so myself, but to keep the mind clear at all times.
I resolve not to speak of the faults of others, but to be understanding and sympathetic.
I resolve not to praise myself and disparage others, but to overcome my own shortcomings.
I resolve not to withhold spiritual or material aid, but to give them freely where needed.
I resolve not to indulge in anger, but to exercise restraint.
I resolve not to revile the Three Treasures, Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, but to cherish and uphold them.
All evil actions committed by me since time immemorial, stemming from greed, anger, and ignorance, arising from body, speech and mind, I now repent having committed.
O Buddhas and Bodhisattvas,
abiding in all directions,
endowed with great compassion,
endowed with fore-knowledge
endowed with the divine eye,
endowed with love,
affording protection to sentient beings,
consent through the power of your
great compassion to come forth.
Consent to accept these offerings concretely laid out and mentally created.

O Compassionate Ones,
you who possess the wisdom of understanding,
the love of compassion, the power of doing divine deeds and of protecting in incomprehensible measure,
[name of person] is passing from this world to the next.
He/she is taking a great leap.
The light of this world has faded for him/her.
He/she has entered solitude with his/her karmic forces.
He/she has gone into a vast Silence.
He/she is borne away by the Great Ocean
of birth and death.

O Compassionate Ones,
protect [name of person], who is defenseless.
Be to him/her like a father and a mother.

O Compassionate Ones,
let not the force of your compassion be weak,
but aid him/her.
Forget not your ancient vows.

(prayer is read three times)

This is what should be done
By those who are skilled in goodness,
And who knows the path of peace:
Let them be able and upright,
Straightforward and gentle in speech.
Humble and not conceited,
Contented and easily satisfied.
Unburdened with duties and frugal in their ways.
Peaceful and calm, and wise and skillful,
Not proud and demanding in nature.
Let them not do the slightest thing
That the wise would later reprove.
Wishing: In gladness and in safety,
May all beings be at ease.
Whatever living beings there may be;
Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none,
The great or the mighty, medium, short or small,
The seen and the unseen,
Those living near and far away,
Those born and to-be-born,
May all beings be at ease!

Let none deceive another,
Or despise any being in any state.
Let none through anger or ill-will
Wish harm upon another.
Even as a mother protects with her life
Her child, her only child,
So with a boundless heart
Should one cherish all living beings;
Radiating kindness over the entire world:
Spreading upwards to the skies,
And downwards to the depths;
Outwards and unbounded,
Freed from hatred and ill-will.
Whether standing or walking, seated or lying down
Free from drowsiness,
One should sustain this recollection.
This is said to be the sublime abiding.
By not holding to fixed views,
The pure-hearted one, having clarity of vision,
Being freed from all sense desires,
Is not born again into this world.
May I be well, happy and peaceful. May no harm come to me. May I be free from hostility, free from affliction, free from distress. May I have the patience, courage, understanding, and determination to meet and overcome the difficulties of life. May I live happily.

May my mind be filled with the thought of loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. May I be generous. May I be gentle. May I be relaxed. May I be happy and peaceful. May I be healthy. May my heart become tender. May my words be pleasing to others.

May all that I see, hear, smell, taste, touch and think help me to cultivate loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. May they help me cultivate the thought of generosity and gentleness. May they help me be at ease and be friendly. May they be a source of peace and happiness. May they help me be healthy. May they help me be free from fear, tension, anxiety, worry, and restlessness. Throughout body, speech, and mind, [i.e., in all physical, verbal and mental activities] may I be happy, may I be well, may I be at peace, may I be full of love and understanding.

In like manner cultivate metta, or lovingkindness, toward a benefactor, a dear friend (or family member), a neutral person, a difficult person, all beings.

For more information on the practice of metta bhavana, the book Lovingkindness, by Sharon Salzberg is highly recommended.