Incense Offering
In gratitude we offer this incense to all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
throughout space and time.
May it be as fragrant as earth herself, reflecting our careful efforts, our
wholehearted awareness, and the fruit of understanding slowly ripening.
May we and all beings be companions of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas .
May we awaken from forgetfulness and realize our true home .
Homage to the Buddha
Namo tassa, bhagavato, arahato, samma sambuddhasa
Namo tassa, bhagavato, arahato, samma sambuddhasa
Namo tassa, bhagavato, arahato, samma sambuddhasa
Homage to Him, the Exalted One, the Worthy One, The supremely Enlightened One
Homage to Him, the Exalted One, the Worthy One, The supremely Enlightened One
Homage to Him, the Exalted One, the Worthy One, The supremely Enlightened One
The Three Refuges
I take refuge in the Buddha, the one who shows me the way in this life .
I take refuge in the Dharma, the way of understanding and of love .
I take refuge in the Sangha, the community that lives in harmony and awareness.
(Bell)
Dwelling in the refuge of the Buddha,
I clearly see the path of light and beauty in this world.
Dwelling in the refuge of the Dharma, I learn to open many doors
on the path of transformation.
Dwelling in the refuge of the Sangha, shining light that supports me,
I keep my practice free of obstruction.
(Bell)
Taking refuge in the Buddha in myself, I aspire to help all people
recognize their own awakened nature, realizing the mind of love.
Taking refuge in the Dharma in myself, I aspire to help all people
fully master the ways of practice and walk together on the path of liberation.
Taking refuge in the Sangha in myself, I aspire to help all people
build fourfold communities, to embrace all beings and support their transformation.
(Two Bells)
The Four Immeasurables
(Repeat 3 times)
May all mother sentient beings, boundless as the sky,
have happiness and the causes of happiness.
May they be liberated from suffering and the causes of suffering.
May they never be separated from the happiness that is free from sorrow.
May they rest in equanimity, free from attachment and aversion.
Shantideva’s Dedication Prayer
May all beings everywhere
Plagued by sufferings of body and mind,
Obtain an ocean of happiness and joy
By virtue of my merits.
May no living creature suffer,
Commit evil or ever fall ill.
May no one be afraid or belittled,
With a mind weighed down by depression.
May the blind see forms
And the deaf hear sounds.
May those whose bodies are worn with toil
Be restored on finding repose.
May the naked find clothing
The hungry find food
May the thirsty find water
And delicious drinks.
May the poor find wealth,
Those weak with sorrow find joy;
May the hopeless find hope,
Constant happiness and prosperity.
May there be timely rains
And bountiful harvests;
May all the medicines be effective
And wholesome prayers bear fruit.
May all who are sick and ill
Quickly be freed from their ailments.
Whatever diseases there are in the world,
May they never occur again.
May the frightened cease to be afraid
And those bound be freed;
May the powerless find power
And the people think of benefiting each other.
For as long as space remains,
For as long as sentient beings remain,
Until then may I too remain
To dispel the miseries of the world.
Choices
We are what we think.
All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts we make the world.
Speak or act with an impure mind and trouble will follow you,
As the wheel follows the ox that draws the cart.
We are what we think.
All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts we make the world.
Speak or act with a pure mind and happiness will follow you,
As your shadow, unshakable.
How can a troubled mind understand the way?
Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much as your own thoughts, unguarded.
But once mastered, no one can help you as much,
Not even your father or your mother.
Four Bodhisattva Vows
(chant 3 times)
All beings without number I vow to liberate
Endless blind passions I vow to uproot
Dharma gates beyond measure I vow to pass through
The great way of Buddha I vow to attain
Sharing the Merit
Beginning anew, practicing the way of awareness gives rise to benefits without limit .
We vow to share the fruits with all beings .
We vow to offer tribute to parents, teachers and friends,
and numerous beings who give guidance and support along the path.
Evening Gatha
Let me respectfully remind you, life and death are of supreme importance.
Time swiftly passes by, and opportunity is lost.
Each of us should strive to awaken: Awaken!
Take heed; do not squander your life.
