Transcription
MORNING BELL CHANTMay the sound of this bell spread throughout the universe, makingdarkness bright, relieving the three realms of suffering, shatteringswords. May it bring all beings to enlightenment.EVENING BELL CHANTHearing the sound of the bell, all thinking is cut off; wisdom grows;enlightenment appears; confusion is left behind. I vow to perceive trueself and to save all beings.OFFERING AT THE END OF THE SITTINGMAY ALL BEINGS EVERYWHEREWITH WHOM WE ARE INSEPARATELY CONNECTEDBE AWAKENED, LIBERATED, HEALED, FULFILLED, AND FREE:MAY THERE BE PEACE IN THIS WORLD, AND AN END TO WAR, VIOLENCE,INJUSTICE, AND POVERTY:AND MAY WE ALL TOGETHER COMPLETE THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY.1
INCENSE OFFERING(Three bells.When Sensei is in place tooffer incense, chanting begins.)ALL:In Gratitude we offer this incense toall Buddhas and Bodhisattva’sthroughout space and time.(Two Bells.Sensei bows and raises incense.)ALL:Teaching and living the way ofawareness in the very midst ofsuffering and confusion, ShakyamuniBuddha, the Enlightened One, to whomwe bow in gratitude.(Two bells.ALL:Sensei bows and raises incense.)Showing the way fearlessly andcompassionately, the stream ofancestral teachers, to whom we bow ingratitude.(One bell.Sensei bows, raises incense andreturns to her place.)2
GATHA OF REPENTANCEAll evil karma ever committed by me since of old, on account of mybeginningless greed, anger and ignorance, born of my body, mouthand consciousness, now I atone for it all.GATHA ON OPENING THE SUTRAThe Dharma incomparably profound and infinitely subtle, is rarelyencountered, even in millions of ages. Now you see it, hear it, receiveand maintain it. May we completely realize the Tathagata's truemeaning.SHIGU SEIGANGreat Vows for AllSHU JO MU HEN SEI GAN DOBO NO MU JIN SEI GAN DAN.HO MON MU RYO SEI GAN GAKUBUTSU DO MU JO SEI GAN JOTHE FOUR VOWSCreations are numberlessI vow to free them.Delusions are inexhaustibleI vow to put an end to them.Reality is boundlessI vow to perceive it.The Enlightened Way is unsurpassableI vow to embody it.3
ALONG THE MICHINOKUflute first, then congregation:Along the Michinoku, everything is wonderful. Butin Shiogama, fishing boats pulling together aremost amazing of all.(repeat)CHANTINGThe Identity of Relative and AbsoluteKim Collins, chant leader; congregationThe mind of the Great Sage of India is intimately conveyed west and east.Among human beings are wise ones and fools In the Way there is no teacher ofnorth and south.The subtle Source is clear and bright; The branching streams flow in the dark.To be attached to things is primordial illusion; To encounter the absolute is not yetenlightenment.All spheres, every sense and field Intermingle even as they shine alone, Interactingeven as they merge, Yet keeping their places in expressions of their own.Forms differ primally in shape and character And sounds in harsh or soothing tones.The dark makes all words one; the brightness distinguishes good and badphrases. The four elements return to their true nature As a child to its mother.Fire is hot, water is wet, Wind moves and the earth is dense.Eye and form, ear and sound, nose and smell, tongue and taste, the sweet and sour.Each independent of the other Like leaves that come from the same root.And though leaves and root must go back to the Source Both root and leaves havetheir own uses.Light is also darkness, But do not move with it as darkness.Darkness is light; Do not see it as light.Light and darkness are not one, not two Like the foot before and the foot behind inwalking.Each thing has its own being Which is not different from its place and function.The relative fits the absolute As a box and its lid.The absolute meets the relative Like two arrow points that meet in mid air.Hearing this, simply perceive the Source, Make no criterion.If you do not see the Way, You do not see it even as you walk on it.When you walk the way you draw no nearer, Progress no farther.Who fails to see this Is mountains and rivers away.Listen, those who would pierce this subtle matter:Do not waste your time by night or day!44
Hakuin Zenji: Song of Zazenby Hakuin EkakuAll beings by nature are Buddha,as ice by nature is water;apart from water there is no ice,apart from beings no Buddha.How sad that people ignore the near andsearch for truth afar,like someone in the midst of water cryingout in thirst,like a child of a wealthy home wanderingamong the poor.Lost on dark paths of ignorancewe wander through the six worlds;from dark path to dark path we wander,when shall we be freed from birth anddeath?For this the zazen of the Mahayanadeserves the highest praise:offerings, Precepts, Paramitas,Nembutsu, atonement, practicethe many other virtuesall rise within zazen.Those who try zazen even once wipeaway immeasurable crimeswhere are all the dark paths then?the Pure Land itself is near.Those who hear this truth even onceand listen with a grateful heart,treasuring it, revering it,gain blessings without end.Much more, if you turn yourself about,and confirm your own self-natureself-nature that is no natureyou are far beyond mere argument.The oneness of cause and effect is clear,not two, not three, the path is straight;with form that is no form,going and coming never astray:with thought that is no thoughtsinging and dancing is the voice of theLaw.Boundless and free is the sky of Samadhi,bright the full moon of wisdom,truly is anything missing now?Nirvana is right here, before our eyes,this very place is the Lotus Land,this very body the Buddha.Hakuin Ekaku was a Japanese monk (1685-1768). "Zazen" is formal meditationpractice; "paramitas" are ideals or virtues; "Nembutsu" is the practice of calling on theAmida Buddha; "samadhi" is meditative concentration. This poem, frequently recitedduring Zen sesshins, is reprinted with permission from Encouraging Words: ZenBuddhist Teachings for Western Students, 1993 by Robert Aitken, PantheonBooks, N.Y.(-S:"THE WITNESS5
I N V O C A T I O N F O R TH E H E A R T S U T R ALeader:This Infinite nature pervades the whole universe,Existing right here now.With our chantingLet us uniteWith all founding teachers, past, present and future,Let true Dharma continue,And Sangha relations become complete.All:Glory to Thee, Source of All Being,Eternal Word and Holy Spirit,As it was before,So now and evermore,Amen.Leader:And now, let us dedicate the merits of this recitation ofThe Heart Sutra to:Our great teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha,And for the memory ofMay they and all beings realize the True Way.All beings throughout space and time;All honored ones, bodhisattvas, mahasattvas,Wisdom beyond wisdom;And now let us chant together the great MahaPrajnaparamita Heart SutraAll:Heart Sutrat:6
MAHA PRAJNA PARAMITA HEART SUTRAAvalokitesvara Bodhisattva, doing deep prajna paramita,Clearly saw emptiness of all the five conditions,Thus completely relieving misfortune and pain.O Shariputra, form is no other than emptiness, emptiness noother than form;Form is exactly emptiness, emptiness exactly form;Sensation, conception, discrimination, awareness are likewise likethis.O Shariputra, all dharmas are forms of emptiness, not born, notdestroyed;Not stained, not pure, without loss, without gain;So in emptiness there is no form, no sensation, conception,discrimination, awareness;No eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind;No color, sound, smell, taste, touch, phenomena;No realm of sight . . . no realm of consciousness;No ignorance and no end to ignorance . . .No old age and death, and no end to old age and death;No suffering, no cause of suffering, no extinguishing, no path;No wisdom and no gain. No gain and thus the bodhisattva livesprajna paramita.With no hindrance in the mind; no hindrance, therefore no fear,Far beyond deluded thoughts, this is nirvana.All past, present, and future Buddhas live prajna paramita,And therefore attain anuttara-samyak-sambodhi.Therefore know, prajna paramita is the great mantra, the vividmantra,The best mantra, the unsurpassable mantra.It completely clears all pain - this is the truth, not a lie. So setforth the Prajna Paramita Mantra,Set forth this mantra and say:Gate! Gate! Paragate! Parasamgate!Bodhi svaha! Prajna Heart Sutra.All Buddhas throughout space and time.All Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas,Maha prajna paramita.7 7"i
EVENING DEDICATIONINFINITE REALMS OF LIGHT AND DARK CONVEY THE BUDDHAMIND;BIRDS AND TREES AND STARS AND WE OURSELVES COMEFORTH IN PERFECT HARMONY;WE RECITE OUR GATHA AND OUR SUTRA FOR THE MANYBEINGS OF THE WORLD;IN GRATEFUL THANKS TO ALL OUR GUIDES ALONG THEANCIENT WAY;ALL BUDDHAS THROUGHOUT SPACE AND TIMEALL BODHISATTWAS ,MAHASATTWAS;THE GREAT PRAJNA PARAMITA .8
Merit Offering After The Heart SutraWe dedicate the merit of chanting the Heart Sutrato the stream of ancestral teachers,to all the Women Ancestors whose names have beenforgotten or left unsaid,to Bernie Tetsugen Glassman, Roshi, founder of theZen Peacemakers, to Barbara Shoshin Craig, Sensi, ourfounding teacher, and to our families and friends.You are invited to name those who are in your thoughtsand heart today. (pause for names)May all beings be free from suffering and enjoyhappiness, Realizing the Buddha Way9
IDENTITY OF RELATIVE AND ABSOLUTE.The mind of the Great Sage of India was intimately conveyed from west to east.Among human beings are wise men and fools, but in the Way there is no northernor southern Patriarch.The subtle source is clear and bright; the tributary streams flow through thedarkness.To be attached to things is illusion; to encounter the absolute is not yetenlightenment.Each and all, the subjective and objective spheres are related. And at the sametime, independent.Related, yet working differently, though each keeps its own place.Form makes the character and appearance different; sounds distinguish comfortand discomfort.The dark makes all words one; the brightness distinguishes good and bad phrases.The four elements return to their nature as a child to its mother.Fire is hot, wind moves, water is wet, earth hard.Eyes see, ears hear, nose smells, tongue tastes the salt and sour.Each is independent of the other; cause and effect must return to the great reality.The words high and low are used relatively.Within light there is darkness, but do not try to understand that darkness;Within darkness there is light, but do not look for that light.Light and darkness are a pair, like the foot before and the foot behind, in walking.Each thing has its own intrinsic value and is related to everything else in functionand position.Ordinary life fits the absolute as a box and its lid.The absolute works together with the relative like two arrows meeting in mid-air.Reading words you should grasp the great reality.Do not judge by any standards.If you do not see the Way, you do not see it even as you walk on it.When you walk the Way, it is not near, it is not far.If you are deluded, you are mountains and rivers away from it.I respectfully say to those who wish to be enlightened:Do not waste your time by. night or day.All Buddhas throughout space and time.All Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas,Maha prajna paramita.10
ENMEI JUKKU KANNON GYOKAN ZE ON NA MU BUTSU YO BUTSU U INYO BUTSU U EN BUP PO SO EN JO RAKU GA JOCHO NEN KAN ZE ON BO NEN KAN ZE ONNEN NEN JU SHIN KI NEN NEN FU RI SHINAll Buddhas throughout space and time.All Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas,Maha prajna paramita.ENMEI JUKKU KANNON GYO(Ten Phrase Prolonging Kannon Sutra)Kanzeon! Salutation and devotion to Buddha!We are one with BuddhaIn cause and effect related to all BuddhasAnd to Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.Our True Nature is Eternal, Joyous, Selfless and Pure.So let us chant every morning Kanzeon, with Nen (attention)!Every evening Kanzeon, with Nen!Nen, Nen, arises from Mind. Nen, Nen, is not separate from Mind.11
SHO SAI MYO KISHIJO DHARANI("Auspicious dharani for averting calamity")NO MO SAN MAN DA MOTO NAN OHA RA CHI KOTO SHASONO NAN TO JI TO EN GYA GYA GYA KI GYA KI UNNUN SHIU RA SHIU RA HARA SHIU RA HARA SHIU RACHISHU SA CHISHU SA CHISHU RI CHISHU RISOWA JA SOWA JA SEN CHI GYA SHIRI EI SOMO KOEVENING DEDICATIONINFINITE REALMS OF LIGHT AND DARK CONVEY THE BUDDHAMIND:BIRDS AND TREES AND STARS AND WE OURSELVES COME FORTH INPERFECT HARMONY;WE RECITE OUR GATHA AND OUR SUTRA FOR THE MANY BEINGSOF THE WORLD;IN GRATEFUL THANKS TO ALL OUR GUIDES ALONG THE ANCIENTWAY;ALL BUDDHAS THROUGHOUT SPACE AND TIMEALL BODHISATTWAS ,MAHASATTWAS;THE GREAT PRAJNA PARAMITA .12
AFFIRMING FAITH IN MINDHsin Hsin MingThe Great Way is not difficultfor those who do not pick and chooseRemaining in duality, you'll neverknow of unityWhen pref'rences cast asidethe Way stands clear and undisguisedAnd not to know this unity lets conflictlead you far astrayBut even slight distinctions madeset earth and heaven far apartWhen you assert that things are realyou miss their true reality.If you would clearly see the truth,discard opinions pro and con.But to assert that things are voidTo founder in dislike and likeis nothing but the mind's diseaseThe more you talk and think on thisthe further from the truth you'll beAnd not to see the Way's deep truth.disturbsthe mind's essential peace.Cut off all useless thoughts and wordsand there’s nowhere you cannot go.The Way is perfect like vast space,where there's no lack and no excess.Returning to the root itself,you'll find the meaning of all thingsOur choice to choose and to rejectprevents our see'ng this simple truthIf you pursue appearancesyou overlook the primal source.Both striving for the outer worldas well as for the inner voidcondemn us to entangled lives.Awak'ning is to go beyond bothemptiness as well as form.Just calmly see that all is Oneand by themselves false views will goAll changes in this empty world seemreal because of ignorance.also misses reality.Attempts to stop activity will fill youwith activityDo not go searching for the truth, justlet those fond opinions go.Abide not in duality, refrain from allpursuit of it.//.013
Affirming Faith In Mind ContinuedIf there’s a trace of right and wrong, Truemind is lost, confused, distraughtJust let go now of clinging mind, andall things are just as they are. Inessence nothing goes or staysFrom One-mind comes duality, but clingnot even to this One.See into the true self of things,and you're in step with the Great Waythus walking freely, undisturbed.When this One-minded rests undisturbedBut live in bondage to your thoughts,and you will be confused, unclearthen nothing in the world offends.And when no thing can give offenseThis heavy burden weighs you downso why keep judging good and bad?then all obstructions cease to be.If you would walk the highest Way, donot reject the sense domain.If all thought-objects disappear thethinking subject drops away.For as it is, whole and complete, thesense world is enlightenment.For things are things because of mind-as mind is mind because of thingsThe wise do not strive after goals, butfools themselves in bondage put.These two are merely relativeand both at source are Emptiness. InEmptiness these are not twoyet in each are contained all forms.The One Way knows no differences,the foolish cling to this and thatOnce coarse and fine are seen no moreTo seek Great Mind with thinkingmind is certainly a grave mistake.then-how cart there be taking sides?From small mind come rest and unrestbut mind awakened transcends bothThe Great Way is without limit beyond theeasy and the hardDelusion spawns dualities—these dreams are merely flow’rs of airwhy work so hard at grasping them?But those who hold to narrow views arefearful and irresolute;their fanatic haste just slows them downIf they're attached to anything, you surelywill go far astray.14
Affirming Faith In Mind ContinuedBoth gain and loss, and right and wrong-once and for all get rid of them.All’s self-revealing, void and clearwithout exerting power of mind.'When you no longer are asleep,all dreams will vanish by themselvesThought cannot reach this state of truthhere feelings are of no avail.If mind does not discriminate, all thingsare as they are, as One.In this true world if Emptiness both selfand other are no more.To go to this mysterious Source frees usfrom all entanglements.When all is seen with '"equal mind," to ourSelf-nature we return.This single mind goes right beyond allreasons and comparison.To enter this true empty world,immediately affirm "not-two."In this "not-two" all is the same, withnothing separate or outside.The wise in all times and placesawaken to this primal truth.Seek movement and there's no-movement,seek rest and no-rest comes instead.When rest and no-rest cease to be, theneven oneness disappears.The Way's beyond all space and timeone instant is ten thousand years.Not only here, not only there, truth'sright before your very eyes.This ultimate finality'sbeyond all laws, can't be described.Distinctions such as large & small haverelevance for you no more.With single mind one with the Way, allego-centered strivings cease;The largest is the smallest too—here limitations have no place.Doubts and confusion disappear, and sotrue faith pervades our lifeWhat is is not, what is not is— if this isnot yet clear to you, you're still farfrom the inner truth.There is no thing that clings to us, andnothing that is left behind.One this is all, all things are one—know this and all's whole and completeWhen faith and Mind are not separate,and not separate are Mind and faith thisis beyond all words, all thoughtFor here there is no yesterday, notomorrow, no today.15
MASTER HAKUIN'S CHANTIN PRAISE OF ZAZENZazen WasanFrom the very beginning all beingsare Buddha.Like water and ice, without water noice, outside us no Buddhas.Hearing this truth, heart humbleand gratefulto praise and embrace it,to practice ifs wisdom,brings unending blessings,How near the truthyet how far we seek,like one in water crying "I thirst!"Like a child of rich birthwand’ring poor on this earth,we endlessly circle the six worlds.brings mountains of merit.And when we turn inwardand prove our True-nature—that True-self is no-self,The cause of our sorrow is egodelusion. From dark path to darkpath we've wandered in darkness—low can we be free from birth anddeath?The gateway to freedom is zazensamadhi- beyond exaltation, beyondall our praises, the pure Mahayana.our own Self is no-self—we go beyond ego and past cleverwords.Upholding the precepts,repentance and giving,the countless good deeds, and theway of right living all come fromzazen.Our form now being no-form,in going and returning we neverleave home.Our thought now being no-thought,our dancing and songs are thevoice of the Dharma.Then the gate to the oneness ofcause and effectis thrown open.Not two and not three, straightahead runs the Way.Thus one true samadhi extinguishesevils; it purifies karma, dissolvingobstructions. Then where are thedark paths to lead us astray?The pure lotus land is not far away.How vast is the heavenof boundless samadhi!How bright and transparent themoonlight of wisdom!What is there outside us,what is there we lack?Nirvana is openly shown to oureyes. This earth where we standis the pure lotus land,and this very body the body ofBuddha.16
METTA KARUNA MUDITA UPEKKHA1.(metta)MAY WE EXTEND UNLIMITED, UNIVERSAL LOVE ANDGOOD-WILL TO ALL LIVING BEINGS WITHOUT ANYKIND OF DISCRIMINATION.2.(karuna)MAY THERE BE COMPASSION FOR ALL LIVING BEINGSWHO ARE SUFFERING.3 .(MUDITA)MAY THERE BE SYMPATHETIC JOY IN OTHERS'SUCCESS, WELFARE AND HAPPINESS.4. (UPEKKHA)MAY THERE BE EQUANIMITY IN ALL VICISSITUDES OFLIFE.17
TOREI ZENJI: BODHISATTVA’S VOWWhen I regard the true nature of the many dharmas, Ifind them all to be sacred formsof the Tathagata's never-failing essence.Each particle of matter, each moment,is no other than the Tathagata's inexpressible radiance.With this realization, our virtuous ancestors, withcompassionate minds and hearts,gave tender care to beasts and birds.Among us, in our own daily lives,who is not reverently grateful for the protections of life:food, drink, and clothing!Though they are inanimate things,they are nonetheless the warm flesh and blood,the merciful incarnations of Buddha.All the more, we can be especially sympatheticand affectionate with foolish people,particularly with someone who becomes a swornenemy and persecutes us with abusive language.That very abuse conveys the Buddha's boundlessloving-kindness.It is a compassionate device to liberate us entirelyfrom the mean-spirited delusions we have built upwith our wrongful conduct from the beginningless past.With our response to such abusewe completely relinquish ourselvesand the most profound and pure faith arises.At the peak of each thought a lotus flower opens,and on each flower there.is revealed a Buddha.Everywhere is the Pure Land in its beauty.We see fully the Tathagata's radiant lightright where we are.May we retain this mindand extend it throughout the worldso that we and all beingsbecome mature in Buddha's wisdom.pgs3.176--177. Robert Aitken. Encouraging Words. Pantheon Books, NY. 199318
Metta (Loving-Kindness) ChantPreparation with ForgivenessI ask forgiveness of all .beingsWhom I have hurt or harmed in any way.I freely forgive all beings who have harmed me.I freely forgive myself.May they be safe from inner and outer danger.May they be protected from harm and enmity.May they be happy and free of mental torment.May they be peaceful in heart.and clear in mind.May they be free of physical affliction.May their bodies be strong and healthy.May they take care of themselves easily.May they tend their lives with gladness.Pervasion of Loving-KindnessMay I be free From inner and outer danger.May I be protected from harm and enmity.May I be happy and free of mental .torment.May be peaceful in heart and clear in mind.May I be free of physical affliction.May my body be strong and healthy.May I take care of myself easily.May I tend my life with gladness.May they be free of all pain, distress, andtribulation,May they come to the end of all sufferings.May what good they have remain with them andgrow greater,May they enjoy unending happiness andabundance.Yet their joys and sorrows of the futureDepend upon their actions and not my wishes.My mother and my father,All my teachers and other helpers,All my friends and all my relatives,And all others who walk the path with me.May they be safe from inner and outer danger.May they be protected from harm and enmity.May they be happy and free of mental torment.May they be peaceful in heart and clear in mind.May they be free of physical affliction.May their bodies be strong and healthy.May they take care of themselves easily.May they tend their lives with gladness.All those gathered in this sacred place,All those in every walk of life,All those who are taking care of us,And all the heavenly guardians watching.May they be safe from inner and outer danger.May they be protected from harm and enmity.May they be happy and free of mental torment.May they be peaceful in heart and clear in mind.May they be free of physical affliction.May their bodies be strong and healthy.May they take care of themselves easily.May they tend their lives with gladness.All existent beings,All those who have breath of life,All distinct creatures, all individuals,All embodied personalities.All beings who are female,And all male beings.All those who are saintly,And all those not yet come to holiness.All angels and all human beings,And all those in states of suffering.May they be safe from inner and outer danger.May they be protected from harm and enmity.May they be happy and free of mental torment.May they be peaceful in heart and clear in mind.May they be free of physical affliction.May their bodies be strong and healthy.May they take care of themselves easily.May they tend their lives with gladness.May they be free of all pain, distress, andtribulation,May they come to the end of all sufferings.May what good they have remain with them andgrow greater,May they enjoy unending happiness andabundance.Yet their joys and sorrows of the futureDepend upon their actions and not my wishes.In the eastern and western directions,In the northern and southern directions,To the southeast and to the northwest,To the northeast and to the southwest.In the downward direction,And in the upward direction.19
Metta (Loving-Kindness) Chant ContinuedAll existent beings,All those who have breath of life,All distinct creatures, all individuals,All embodied personalities.May they be free from distress and threatof harm,From physical suffering and danger.By the power of all that is holy,As shown in the lives of holy people,I call down protection in every way,In each direction.All beings who are female,And all male beings.All those who are saintly,And all those not yet come to holiness.All angels and all human beings,And all those in states of suffering.May they be safe from inner and outer danger.May they be protected from harm and enmity.May they be happy and free of mental torment.May they be peaceful in heart and clear in mind.May they be free of physical affliction.May their bodies be strong and healthy.May they take care of themselves easily.May they tend their lives with gladness.Closing OfferingsSurely by this practiceFrom the wages of sin I shall be freed.May the merit of this practiceDestroy the roots of harmful tendencies.May the merit of this practiceLead me to greater knowledge and love ofGod.May the merit of this practiceBe for the good of all beings.May they be free of all pain, distress, andtribulation,May they come to the end of all sufferings.May what good they have remain with them andgrow greater,May they enjoy unending happiness andabundance.Yet their joys and sorrows of the futureDepend upon their actions and not my wishes.As far up as the highest existence,And as far down as the lowest,In the entire universe,Whatever beings that move on earth,May they be free from distress and threat of harm,From physical suffering and danger.As far up as the highest existence,And as far down as the lowest,In the entire universe,Whatever beings that move in water,May they be free from distress and threat of harm,From physical suffering and danger.As far up as the highest existence,And as far down a the lowest,In the entire universe,Whatever beings that move in air,20Copyright 1994 by Resources forEcumenical Spirituality, a non-profitcorporation devoted to fosteringunderstanding between faiths throughshared spiritual practice and dialogue.Permission is freely granted to copy thischant or any part of it for personal and/orgroup use, provided this paragraph andthe following one are reproduced with itin its entirety.This chant is our translation of one from aMalaysian Theravadan Buddhistmonastery, where it is chanted in theevening. It includes all beings blessed andthe traditional blessings used inTheravadan Buddhist loving-kindness,compassion, sympathetic joy, andequanimity practices. These practices aredesigned to foster universal, nondiscriminating goodwill towardall beings.
HAKUIN ZENJI:SONG OF ZAZENALL BEINGS BY NATURE ARE BUDDHA,AS ICE BY NATURE IS WATER;APART FROM WATER THERE IS NO ICE,APART FROM BEINGS NO BUDDHA.HOW SAD THAT PEOPLE IGNORE THE NEARAND SEARCH FOR TRUTH AFAR,LIKE SOMEONE IN THE MIDST OF WATERCRYING OUT IN THIRSTLIKE A CHILD OF A WEALTHY HOME WANDERINGAMONG THE POOR.LOST ON DARK PATHS OF IGNORANCEWE WONDER THROUGH THE SIX WORLDS;FROM DARK PATH TO DARK PATH WE WANDERWHEN SHALL WE BE FREED FROM BIRTH AND DEATH?FOR THIS THE ZAZEN OF THE MAHAYANADESERVES THE HIGHEST PRAISE:OFFERINGS PRECEPTS PARAMITASNEMBUTSU, ATONENMENT PRACTICETHE MANY OTHER VIRTUESALL RISE WITHIN ZAZEN.THOSE WHO TRY ZAZEN EVEN ONCEWIPE AWAY IMMEASURABLE CRIMESWHERE ARE ALL THE DARK PATHS THEN?THE PURE LAND ITSELF IS NEAR21
THOSE WHO HEAR THIS TRUTH EVEN ONCEAND LISTEN WITH A GRATEFUL HEART,TREASURING IT REVERING IT,GAIN BLESSINGS WITHOUT END.MUCH MORE, IF YOU TURN YOURSELF ABOUT,AND CONFIRM YOUR OWN SELF-NATURESELF-NATURE THAT IS NO NATUREYOUR ARE FAR BEYOND MERE ARGUMENT.THE ONENESS OF CAUSE AND EFFECT IS CLEAR,NOT TWO, NOT THREE, THE PATH IS STRAIGHT;WITH FORM THAT IS NO FORM,GOING AND COMING NEVER ASTRAY;WITH THOUGHT THAT IS NO THOUGHTSINGING AND DANCING IS THE VOICE OF THE LAW.BOUNDLESS AND FREE IS THE SKY OF SAMADHI;BRIGHT THE FULL MOON OF WISDOM,ALLTRULY IS ANYTHING MISSING NOW? NIRVANA ISRIGHT HERE BEFORE OUR EYES, THIS VERYPLACE IS THE LOTUS LAND,THIS VERY BODY THE BUDDHA.22
PRACTICE OF GRATITUDEI offer my gratitude for the people, animals, plants, and insects,creatures of the sky and sea, air and water, fire and earth, andfor all whose joyful exertion blesses my life everyday.I offer my gratitude for the care and labor of a thousandgenerations of elders and ancestors who came before me.I offer my gratitude for the safety and well being I have beengiven.I offer my gratitude for the blessing of this earth I have beengiven.I offer my gratitude for the family and friends I have been given.I offer my gratitude for the community I have been given.I offer my gratitude for the teachings and lessons I have beengiven.I offer my gratitude for the life I have been given.I offer my gratitude for The Sangha and for all sentient beings.23
LIBERATIONS FROM ALL OBSTRUCTIONSIn the presence of Sangha, in the light of Dharma,in oneness with Buddha may my path to complete enlightmentbenefit everyone!In this passing moment karma ripens and all things come tobe.I vow to affirm what is:If there's cost I choose to pay. If there's need I choose togive.If there's pain I choose to feel. If there’s sorrow I choose togrieve.When burning I choose heat. When calm I choose peace.When starving I choose hunger. When happy I choose joy.Whom I encounter I choose to meet. What I shoulder Ichoose to bear.When its my birth I choose to live. When it's my death Ichoose to die.Where this takes me I choose to go. Being with what is Irespond to what is.This life is real as a dream; the one who knows it cannot befound; and truth is not
going and coming never astray: with thought that is no thought singing and dancing is the voice of the Law. Boundless and free is the sky of Samadhi, bright the full moon of wisdom, truly is anything missing now? Nirvana is right here, before our eyes, this very place is the Lotus Land, t
