◑ Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra1. Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, While practicing the profound prajna paramita, Clearly saw that all five skandhas were empty And overcame all suffering.2. Shariputra! Form is no other than emptiness, Emptiness is no other than form. Form is exactly emptiness, emptiness is exactly form. Feeling, perception, volition and consciousness are Also like this.3. Shariputra! This is the emptiness of all dharmas: They neither arise nor cease, are neither defiled nor pure, Neither increase nor decrease.4. For this reason in emptiness there is no form, No feeling, perception, volition or consciousness. No eye, ear, nose, tongue, body or mind. No sight, sound, scent, taste, touch or thought. No seeing, even no thinking. No ignorance and no end of ignorance, Even no aging-death and no end of aging-death. No suffering, origin, cessation or path. No wisdom and no attainment.5. Because nothing is attained, Bodhisattvas rely on prajna paramita, Then their heart is without hindrance, And since without hindrance, without fear, Escaping upside down, dream-like thinking, And completely realizing nirvana. All Buddhas of all times rely on prajna paramita, Thus attaining anuttara-samyak-sambodhi.6. Hence, know that prajna paramita is The all-powerful mantra, the great awakening mantra The unexcelled mantra, the unequalled mantra, Able to remove all suffering. This is true, not false.7. Therefore, proclaim the prajna paramita mantra. Recite the mantra thus: Gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha (3) 51
◑ Dharma Mission (Vinaya Mahavagga II, 20-21) Released am I, friends, from all ties whether human or divine. You are also delivered from all fetters whether human or divine. Go now for the welfare and happiness of many out of compassion for the world, for the gain, welfare and happiness of gods and humans. Let not any two of you proceed in the same direction. Teach the Dharma with the right meaning and phrasing that is beautiful in the beginning, beautiful in the middle, beautiful in the end. Proclaim a spiritual life pure and perfect. There are people with little dust in their eyes who will be lost through not hearing the Dharma. There are people who will understand the Dharma. I shall go to Uruvela, to Senanigama to teach the Dharma.◑ Dharma Gift (Avatamsaka Sutra Volume 40) “Good people, the best offering among those offerings is the gift of the Dharma: That is to say, practicing what the Buddha taught, benefitting all living beings, embracing all living beings, taking on oneself the suffering of living beings, diligently cultivating good roots, not rejecting the duty of bodhisattva and never forgetting bodhicitta, the awakening mind. 52
◑ Good Will (Sutta Nipata I.8) This is what should be done By those who are skilled in goodness And who know the path to peace: You should 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, wise and skillful, Not proud and demanding in nature. Not perform the slightest thing That the wise would later reprove. May all beings everywhere, Strong or weak, great or mighty, Medium, short or small, May all beings everywhere, Seen or unseen, living far off or nearby, Born or to be born, May all beings be happy and joyous. Let no one deceive another. Let no one despise another anywhere. Let no one, out of anger or hatred, Wish harm to another at all. Just as a mother would risk her own life To protect her child, her only child, from harm, So within yourself let grow A boundless heart for all living beings. Let your loving kindness flow to the whole universe, To its height, its depth, its broad extent, A limitless love, without hatred or enmity. Then, as you stand or walk, sit or lie down, As long as you awake, cultivate mindfulness; Your life will bring heaven to earth. Not holding to fixed views, But endowed with clear vision, Freed from sensual pleasures, You never again will come to another state of being. 53
◑ Twin Verses (Dhammapada 1)1. Our life is shaped by our mind; We become what we think. Suffering follows an evil thought As wheels of a cart follow the oxen that draw it.2. Our life is shaped by our mind; We become what we think. Joy follows a good thought Like a shadow that never leaves.3. How will hatred leave him if you think, ‘He was angry with me, he hit me, He defeated me, he robbed me’?4. How will hatred touch him if you do not think, ‘He was angry with me, he hit me, He defeated me, he robbed me’?5. For hatred never destroys hatred; Only love does. This is an eternal law.6. People forget that their lives will end soon; Those who remember it do not argue.7. As a strong wind blows down a weak tree, Mara the Tempter overwhelms weak people who, Eating too much and working too little, Are caught in the frantic pursuit of pleasure.8. As the strongest wind cannot shake a mountain, Mara cannot shake those who are moderate, disciplined, Full of faith, and active.9. What good is a saffron robe if your mind is not pure? What will the robe do, if truthfulness is lacking, Self-control is denied?10. Cast aside meanness, stand on virtue, Learn discipline and speak the truth, And the robe truly fits you. 54
11. Foolish to think that truth is in untruth, Equally foolish that untruth is in truth— Such thinking leads nowhere12. Truth is always truth, Untruth always untruth – This is what matters, this is right desire.13. As rain seeps through an ill-thatched hut, Passion will seep through an untrained mind.14. As rain cannot seep through a well-thatched hut, Passion cannot seep through a well-trained mind.15. Those who are selfish suffer here and hereafter; They suffer in both worlds from the results of their own actions.16. But those who are selfless rejoice here and hereafter. They rejoice in both worlds from the results of their own actions.17. Those who are selfish suffer in this life and in the next. They suffer seeing the results of the evil they have done, And more suffering awaits them in the next life.18. But those who are selfless rejoice In this life and in the next. They rejoice seeing the good that have done, And more joy awaits them in the next life.19. Those who recite many scriptures But fail to practice their teachings Are like a cowherd counting other’s cows. They do not share in the joys of the spiritual life.20. But those who know few scriptures Yet practice their teachings, Overcoming all lust, hatred, and delusion, Live with a pure mind in the highest wisdom. They stand without external supports And share in the joys of the spiritual life. 55
◑ Meditation on Loving-kindness1. May I be well, joyous, and peaceful. May no harm come to me. May no difficulties come to me. May I always meet with success. May I also have patience, courage, understanding, and determination to overcome apparent difficulties, problems, and failures in life.2. May my parents be well, joyous, and peaceful. May no harm come to them. May no difficulties come to them. May they always meet with success. May they also have patience, courage, understanding, and determination to overcome apparent difficulties, problems, and failures in life.3. May my teachers be well, joyous, and peaceful. May no harm come to them. May no difficulties come to them. May they always meet with success. May they also have patience, courage, understanding, and determination to overcome apparent difficulties, problems, and failures in life.4. May my family be well, joyous, and peaceful. May no harm come to them. May no difficulties come to them. May they always meet with success. May they also have patience, courage, understanding, and determination to overcome apparent difficulties, problems, and failures in life.5. May my friends be well, joyous, and peaceful. May no harm come to them. May no difficulties come to them. May they always meet with success. May they also have patience, courage, understanding, and determination to overcome apparent difficulties, problems, and failures in life. 56
6. May those unfriendly to me be well, joyous, and peaceful. May no harm come to them. May no difficulties come to them. May they always meet with success. May they also have patience, courage, understanding, and determination to overcome apparent difficulties, problems, and failures in life.7. May all living beings be well, joyous, and peaceful. May no harm come to them. May no difficulties come to them. May they always meet with success. May they also have patience, courage, understanding, and determination to overcome apparent difficulties, problems, and failures in life. 57
◑ Great Dharani1. (Opening the Sutra) With water I am chanting the Sutra. Om Paramitaya Om Paramitaya Om Paramitaya Let me purify my speaking! Sri Sri Mahasri Susri Svaha Sri Sri Mahasri Susri Svaha Sri Sri Mahasri Susri Svaha Let me console the gods of the five directions! Namo Samanta Bhutanam Om Turu Turu Jimi Svaha Namo Samanta Bhutanam Om Turu Turu Jimi Svaha Namo Samanta Bhutanam Om Turu Turu Jimi Svaha The Dharma is profound, peaceful, and subtle. It is hard to see and understand it all. Now I hear it, study it, and practice it. May I understand the true Dharma of the Buddha. Let me open the doors of the Dharma! Om Aranam Aradha Om Aranam Aradha Om Aranam Aradha2. (Recalling the Title) Now I open the Great Dharani Granting the great, perfect, unbound compassion Of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara Saving this world with his thousand hands and eyes.3. (Going with Avalokiteshvara) Namo Arya-valokite-shvaraya Bodhisattvaya May I know all dharmas soon. Namo Arya-valokite-shvaraya Bodhisattvaya May I get an eye of wisdom before long. Namo Arya-valokite-shvaraya Bodhisattvaya May I save all living beings soon. Namo Arya-valokite-shvaraya Bodhisattvaya May I attain good skillfulness before long. Namo Arya-valokite-shvaraya Bodhisattvaya 58
May I board a ferry of wisdom soon. Namo Arya-valokite-shvaraya Bodhisattvaya May I cross the sea of suffering before long. Namo Arya-valokite-shvaraya Bodhisattvaya May I practice virtue and meditation soon. Namo Arya-valokite-shvaraya Bodhisattvaya May I climb the hill of nirvana before long. Namo Arya-valokite-shvaraya Bodhisattvaya May I enter a house of liberation soon. Namo Arya-valokite-shvaraya Bodhisattvaya May I join the Dharma body before long. When I go to the hell of swords, Let them be destroyed by themselves. When I go to the hell of hot metals, Let them be cooled by themselves. When I go to the hell of sufferings, Let them be crashed by themselves. When I see hungry ghosts, Let them be full of food by themselves. When I see jealous gods, Let them be good by themselves. When I see harsh animals, Let them be wise by themselves.4. (Recollecting the Buddha) Namo Amitabha Namo Amitabha Namo Amitabha5. (Reciting the Great Dharani) The Great Dharani is deep and lovely. Namo Ra-tna Trayaya Nama Arya-valokite-shvaraya Bodhisattvaya Mahasattvaya Mahakarunikaya Om Sarva Bhayesu Trana Karaya Tasmay Namah Kritva Iman Arya-valokite-shvara Stavam Nila Kantha Nama Hridayam Avartay Isyami Sarvartha Sadhanam Shubham Ajeyam 59
Sarva Bhutanam Bhava Marga Vishuddhakam Tadyatha Om Aloke Aloka Mati Lokati Krante He He Hare Mahabodhisattva Smara Smara Hridayam Kuru Kuru Karmam Sadhaya Sadhaya Dhuru Dhuru Vijayante Mahavijayante Dhara Dhara Dharendre Shvara Chala Chala Mala Vimala Amala Mukte Ehyehi Lokeshvara Raga Visham Vinashaya Dvesa Visham Vinashaya Moha Jala Visham Vinashaya Hulu Hulu Malla Hulu Hare Padma Nabha Sara Sara Siri Siri Sru Sru Budhya Budhya Bodhaya Bodhaya Maitreya Nila Kantha Kamasya Dharsinam Prahladayam Manah Svaha Siddhaya Svaha Mahasiddhaya Svaha Siddha Yoge Shvaraya Svaha Nila Kanthaya Svaha Varaha Mukha Singha Mukhaya Svaha Padma Hastaya Svaha Chakra Yuktaya Svaha Sankha Sabda Nibodhanaya Svaha Mahala-kuta Dharaya Svaha Vama S-kandha Disha Sthita Krishna Jinaya Svaha Vyaghra Charma Niva Sanaya Svaha Namo Ra-tna Trayaya Nama Arya-valokite-shvaraya Svaha Om Sidhyantu Mantra Padaya Svaha Om Sidhyantu Mantra Padaya Svaha Om Sidhyantu Mantra Padaya Svaha6. (Blessing Four Directions) Now that all the worlds are free of dust, All protectors come down to it. Reciting the marvelous mantras, May I receive their secret compassion. 60
7. (Confessing Karmas) The wickedness I committed endlessly Through greed, hatred, and ignorance, With body, speech, and thoughts I now repent it all with confession. Confessing to having killed living beings, I make my body pure with compassion. Confessing to having taken what is not given, I make my body pure with generosity. Confessing to having done sexual misconduct, I make my body pure with contentment. Confessing to having spoken false speech, I make my mouth clean with truthful words. Confessing to having spoken malicious speech, I make my mouth clean with harmonious words. Confessing to having spoken harsh speech, I make my mouth clean with gentle words. Confessing to having spoken gossip, I make my mouth clean with meaningful words. Confessing to having been greedy, I make my mind clear with open-heartedness. Confessing to having been hateful, I make my mind clear with loving-kindness. Confessing to having been senseless, I make my mind clear with understanding. Let me purify all my faults. Om Sarva Buddha Bodhisattvaya Svaha Om Sarva Buddha Bodhisattvaya Svaha Om Sarva Buddha Bodhisattvaya Svaha8. (Taking the Chundi Mantras) Namo Mahachundi Bodhisattvaya Mahasattvaya Namo Mahachundi Bodhisattvaya Mahasattvaya Namo Mahachundi Bodhisattvaya Mahasattvaya Om Ram Om Ram Om Ram Om Chilim Om Chilim Om Chilim Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum 61
Namo Saptanam Samyak Sambuddha Kotinam Tadyatha Om Chale Chole Chundi Svaha Bhurim Om Chale Chole Chundi Svaha Bhurim Om Chale Chole Chundi Svaha Bhurim9. (Following the Great Vows) May I stay out of the three evil states. May I cut off greed, hatred, and delusion. May I follow the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. May I cultivate morality, concentration, and wisdom. May I study the Dharma of all Buddhas. May I hold the awakening mind. May I get reborn in the Pure Land. May I greet the Buddha Amitabha. May I launch myself everywhere. May I save all beings without weariness. All beings I vow to liberate, however countless. All fetters I vow to abandon, however limitless. All Dharmas I vow to learn, however measureless. Buddhahood I vow to attain, however peerless. I should liberate all beings within. I should abandon all fetters within. I should learn all Dharmas within. I should attain Buddhahood within.10. (Taking Three Treasures) I go to the Buddha for refuge. I go to the Dharma for refuge. I go to the Sangha for refuge. Buddham Saranam Gaccami Dhammam Saranam Gaccami Sangham Saranam Gaccami Namo Buddhaya Namo Dharmaya Namo Sanghaya 62
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A Chanting and Recitation Book BUDDHA DHARMAPRACTICE Edited by Tosol ParkNew York Dharma School 64
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