Practice Note: In accordance with the Vienamese custom, this service is conducted shortly after NOON, this being the 'Evening' in monasteries. This series of recitations is devoted almost entirely to PURE LAND practices as has been the custom since the SUNG era. Those who wish a 'Zen' evening service will find a translation of a JAPANESE-style ZEN EVENING RECITATION in Appendix #3. If this book is used for practice by a small temple where only one major recitation is held daily, it is recommended that the MORNING RECITATION be the one commonly used, saving this recitation and others in this book for appropriate or auspicious occasions. For a listing of such times by the Lunar Calendar, please see Appendix #4- EVENING RECITATIONS All take their places in the same manner as for Morning Recitations. INCENSE HYMN ALL Smoldering incense suddenly burns and the Dharma Realm is covered with its fragrance as the myriad Buddha Ocean Assembly as if one from their distance hear us and from this place join together as in an auspicious cloud. Sincere thoughts and honesty flourish as the myriad Buddhas appear in their Perfect Forms. Give Praise to the Fragrant Cloud Covered Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas! Give Praise to the Fragrant Cloud Covered Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas! Give Praise to the Fragrant Cloud Covered Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas! GATHA FOR OPENING SUTRAS 1 / 251
The Precentor strikes the Great Ch'ing and intones: PRECENTOR The incomparable and profoundly exquisite Dharma! It is rare that it can be met with, even in hundreds of thousands of millions of ages! We are now permitted to see it! We are now permitted to hear it! We are now permitted to accept it! We are now permitted to hold it! May we truly understand the meaning of these words of the Tathagata! THE PURE LAND SUTRA Being the Buddha's expounding of the 2 / 251
Sukhavativyuha-sutra, the Smaller version. Gatha in Praise of the Sutra PRECENTOR Give Praise ALL 3 / 251
To the Lotus Pond Ocean Assembly of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas! Give Praise to the Lotus Pond Ocean Assembly of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas! Give Praise to the Lotus Pond Ocean Assembly of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas! Text of the Sutra PRECENTOR The Buddha's Expounding of the Amitabha Sutra! 4 / 251
Bring Palms Together ALL Thus have I heard: At one time the Buddha was dwelling at Sravasti in the garden and park purchased for His use by Anathapindaka from the Prince Jeta. With Him was a great company of monks numbering over twelve hundred and fifty. All were Great Arhats and many had achieved the State of Discernment The Venerable Sariputra, Mahamaugalyana, Mahakasyapa, Mahakapphina, 5 / 251
Mahakatyayana, Mahakaushthila, Revata, Suddhipanthaka, Nanda, Ananda, Rahula, Gavampati, Bharadvaga, Kaodayin, Vakkula and Aniruddha were among them. Also with him and these Great Disciples were many Great Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas. Among these was the Dharma Prince Manjusri Bodhisattva, the Invincible Maitreya Bodhisattva, the Fragrant Elephant of the North Bodhisattva, and the Constant Unfailing Progress Bodhisattva and also many other Great Bodhisattvas. Also there was Sakra, the Indra-Lord of the Devas and with him were countless numbers of other Devas. 6 / 251
In this way did the Buddha speak to the Venerable Sariputra: "O Sariputra, if you go from here to the West and pass beyond Ten Ten Thousands of Hundreds of Thousands Buddhas Lands there exists a region called the Land of Ultimate Joy where there exists a Buddha called Amitabha. He is there now, expounding the Dharma, this Arhat. 7 / 251
"Now, Sariputra, why do you think that this land is called the Land of Ultimate Joy? Because in that realm for all living beings there is neither physical pain nor mental pain and the sources of blessings are without number. For this reason is it called the Land of Ultimate Joy. "Furthermore Sariputra, the Land of Ultimate Joy is adorned with seven terraces and seven rows of wind chimes together with seven avenues of trees. The above are enclosed on all sides by 8 / 251
the four precious substances. With such excellent things unique to Buddha Lands is this excellent Buddha Land adorned. "Furthermore, O Sariputra, in that world called Ultimate Joy there are Lotus Ponds, ornamented with the seven precious stones. The water that fills them has the eight good qualities and the bottoms of these ponds are covered with pure golden sands that extend to their banks. On the four sides of these Lotus Ponds are flights of stairs--golden and silver, with beryl and crystal in splendid perfection. And at the top of 9 / 251
these stairs are raised pavilions majestically adorned with gold and silver, beryl, crystal and coral, red pearls and agate. And in the ponds grow Lotus Flowers that are as large as the wheels of a cart blue colored, as if emitting blue radiance; yellow colored, as if emitting yellow light; red colored, radiating redness; white colored of pure white radiating light and their subtle and mysterious fragrances cleanse the air. O Sariputra for this reason is the Ultimate Joy Land perfect in its meritorious adornments. "Furthermore Sariputra, in that Heavenly 10 / 251
Music over the Buddha Land there is continual arising of yellow-golden colored earth. And for each of the six periods of day and night there rain down showers of Heavenly Coral Tree Blossoms. And the living beings of that Land are constantly using their miraculous robes to travel to other Buddha Lands and thereupon shower upon the Tathagatas of those worlds Ten Ten Thousands of Hundreds of Thousands of these wonderfully abundant flowers. Ten Ten Thousands of Hundreds of Thousands of Buddhas are honored in this way before the time for the first meal, and all the inhabitants of this Land then return to it to consume their own meal, nourished by the Dharma Teaching and by their 11 / 251
own good roots. Sariputra, for this reason is the Ultimate Joy Land perfect in its adornment. "And furthermore, O Sariputra, in this land there are all sorts of strange and wondrously colored birds. White Cranes and peacocks, parrots and mynah birds and other sorts of birds having melodious voices and fabulous birds who have two heads and all the many kinds of birds are assembled there. Day and Night, during each of the Six Periods their harmony creates and elegant sound which, if listened to, expounds and makes clear the five 12 / 251
spiritual organ roots which are positive and the five powers of Mara which, if springing from the corresponding sensory organs, are negative factors. Likewise do they expound the seven characteristics of Bodhi and the Holy Eightfold Path; Thus do they spread the Dharma everywhere in that land and when living beings hear these sounds, they reflect on the Buddha, they reflect on the Dharma, and they reflect on the Sangha. "Sariputra, you must not say that these birds are those reborn in this way a retribution for past sins. This is not so. 13 / 251
While other Buddha Lands are without the Three Evil Paths Sariputra, in this Buddha Land even the names of these evil paths is unknown. How much more, the, do they have the truth? These many kinds of birds have been created solely to call on Amitabha Buddha and therefore they desire to proclaim these honorable Dharma sounds, and in so doing aid in the transformation of all living beings by their actions. "Sariputra, in this Buddha Land subtle winds blow and stir along the myriad precious avenues of trees where they reach the preciously appointed gauze 14 / 251
covered walkways. There they strike the wind chimes from which spring forth the most subtle and wonderful sounds which thus become one hundred thousand sorts of music all constantly arising together. Those hearing these sounds, even if they still possess the self that creates rebirths, are moved to call on the Buddha, to call on the Dharma and to call on the Sangha with all their hearts. Sariputra, for this reason is this Buddha Land perfect and is thus meritoriously adorned. "Now, O Sariputra, for what reason do you think this Buddha has been called 15 / 251
Amitabha? Sariputra, it is because this Buddha possesses Illuminating Wisdom Beyond Measure which illuminates the lands in the Ten Directions without obstructions or obstacles. For this reason is this Buddha called Amitabha. "Furthermore, Sariputra, this Buddha can command that His Own Long Life be extended to all men: Immeasurable limitless countless numbers of eons! For this reason has he been called Amitabha. This Perfect Buddha has already 'come,' indeed, ten eons has 16 / 251
He been "He who has Thus Come" to this present moment. "And furthermore, O Sariputra, this Buddha has immeasurable, limitless countless numbers of 'sound hearing' disciples, Arhats they have all become in numbers not to be counted. Regarding this, you should know there are also myriad Bodhisattva Assemblies. For this reason. O Sariputra, is the perfect Buddha Land meritoriously adorned. 17 / 251
"Furthermore, Sariputra, all living beings who are reborn in this Ultimate Joy Land become 'Bodhisattvas Who Never Recede.' That it, Bodhisattvas who have but one rebirth to attain Buddhahood and this number is indeed very great a number that can neither be counted no known, and is expressed only as 'countless and limitless' for it is beyond expression. "O Sariputra, all living beings should hear and respond to His Vow, and resolve to be reborn in His Land. And why? So that they can obtain and share together with the many kinds of superior 18 / 251
and skillful men to be found there. "Sariputra, you would not be able to gain rebirth in this land by means of wonderful good roots or even blessed or virtuous causes, but, Sariputra, if a son or a daughter of a good family or a good woman or man hears this expounding on Amitabha Buddha and abides in and holds fast His Name If for one day, if for two days, if for three days, if for four days, if for five days, if for six days, if for seven days and does so with single pointedness of mind and without confusion, then when that person is on the brink if his life's end, he will see 19 / 251
Amitabha Buddha together with many members of the Holy Sage Assembly standing before him. When such a person dies, because his mind was without perverted or erroneous views, he will immediately be reborn in Amitabha's Land of Ultimate Joy. "Sariputra, I see this as a correct benefit and so I have expounded these words so that those who have accumulated rebirths can hear of this and be filled with suitable resolve and thus attain rebirth in Amitabha's Land. 20 / 251
Thus, Sariputra, I now sing the praises of Amitabha Buddha whose merits are so beneficial that they can neither be thought nor discussed. "In the Eastern Region there is the Unmoved Buddha Aksobhya, the Merudhavaja Buddha, the Great Mystical Mountain Buddha, the Excellent Mountain Illuminating Buddha and the Mysterious Sounds Buddha - thus so everywhere a number of Buddhas that is equal to the sands of the river Ganges, each of them having His Own 21 / 251
Land. And from these Buddhas' characteristically broad and long tongues, which can cover three thousand great universes of universes, and which they use to expound truthful and sincere words to all living beings everywhere, come also these praises of Amitabha Buddha whose merits are so beneficial that they can neither be thought nor discussed. Therefore all the myriad Buddhas in that region protect and care for this Sutra. "O Sariputra, the Southern Region has the Day and Night Lantern Buddha. the Renown Fame Illuminating Buddha, the 22 / 251
Great Blazing Shoulders Buddha, the Mystical Mountain Lantern Buddha, the Unlimited Pure Progress Buddha - thus so everywhere a number of Buddhas that is equal to the sands of the river Ganges, each of them having His Own Land. And from these Buddhas' characteristically broad and long tongues, which can cover three thousand great universes of universes, and which they use to expound truthful and sincere words to all living beings everywhere, come also these praises of Amitabha Buddha whose merits are so beneficial that they can neither be thought nor discussed. Therefore all the many kinds of Buddhas of that region protect and care for this Sutra. 23 / 251
"Sariputra, the Western Region has the Boundless Life Buddha, the Immeasurable Characteristics and Marks Buddha, the Immeasurable Pennant Buddha, the Great Illuminating Buddha, the Great Wisdom Buddha, the Precious Marks Buddha, and the Clear Illuminating Buddha - thus so everywhere a number of Buddhas that is equal to the sand in the river Ganges, each of them having His Own Land. And from these Buddhas' characteristically broach and long tongues which can cover three thousand great universes of universes, and which they use to expound truthful and sincere words to all living beings everywhere, 24 / 251
come also these praises of Amitabha Buddha whose merits are so beneficial that they can neither be thought nor discussed. Therefore all the myriad Buddhas of that region protect and care for this Sutra. "Sariputra, the Northern Region has the Blazing Shoulders Buddha, the All-Conquering Sound Buddha, the Difficult-to-Stop Buddha, the Daily Reborn Buddha and the Net of Wisdom Buddha - thus so everywhere a number of Buddhas that is equal to the sands of the river Ganges, each of these Buddhas having His Own Land. And 25 / 251
from these Buddha's characteristically broad and long tongues which can cover three thousand universes of universes, and which they use to expound truthful and sincere words to all living beings everywhere, come also these praises of Amitabha Buddha whose merits are so beneficial that they can neither be thought nor discusses. Therefore all the myriad Buddhas of that region protect and care for this Sutra! "Sariputra, the Nadir has the Lion of Men Buddha, the Renown Buddha, the Famous Illuminating Buddha, the 26 / 251
Dharma Buddha, and the Dharma Protecting Buddha - thus so everywhere a number of Buddhas that is equal to the sands of the river Ganges, each of them having His Own Land. And from these Buddha's characteristically broad and long tongues, which can cover three thousand great universes of universes, and which they use to expound truthful and sincere words to all living beings everywhere, come also these praises of Amitabha Buddha whose merits are so beneficial that they can neither be thought nor discussed. Therefore all the myriad Buddhas of that region protect and care for this Sutra. 27 / 251
"Sariputra, the Zenith has the Brahma Voiced Buddha, the Lord of the Constellations Buddha, the Incense Offering Buddha, the Incense Illuminating Buddha, the Great Blazing Shoulders Buddha, the Many Colored Precious Flowers Adorned Bodied Buddha, the Teak Tree King Buddha, the Seeing - all - wishes - fulfilled Buddha and the Like-a-mystical-mountain Buddha - thus so everywhere a number of Buddhas that is equal to the sands of the river Ganges, each of them having His Own Land. And from these Buddhas' characteristically broad and long tongues, which can cover three thousand great universes of universes, and which they use to expound truthful and sincere words to all 28 / 251
living beings everywhere, come also these praises of Amitabha Buddha whose merits are so beneficial that they can neither be thought nor discussed. Therefore all the myriad Buddha in that region protect and care for this Sutra. "O Sariputra, what do you think? Why do those Buddha that I have named protect and care for this Sutra? It is because, Sariputra, if sons or daughters of good families or good men or women who hear of this Sutra and keep it and who also hear these myriad Buddha that I have named; these myriad 29 / 251
sons and daughters of good families or good men or women, because of the pervasive activity of all the many kinds of Buddhas who protect and care for this Sutra, will obtain the 'Never Receding Nor Turning Back From Any Advances Gained' state which proceeds to the Unexcelled Complete Enlightenment. "Venerable Sariputra, those anywhere in the Universe who have suitable faith and receive my words can then reach to the many kinds of Buddha places of which I have expounded. 30 / 251
"Sariputra, if a man in the past has made this resolve or at this moment obtains this resolve or does attain this resolve in the future,such a one will be immediately reborn in the Land of Amitabha Buddha. This is equally true of the many kinds of men everywhere---all can obtain the 'Never Receding Nor Turning Back' state which proceeds to the Unexcelled Complete Enlightenment. "With reference to this Land, if in a past life, the present life, or in a future life, 31 / 251
O Venerable Sariputra, the myriad sons and daughters of good families or good men or women have faith in the worthiness of this Vow and respond to it suitably, they will be reborn in the Land of Amitabha. "Thus, Sariputra, I now sing the praises of the myriad Buddha whose merit is beyond thought or discussion. Likewise the myriad Buddhas also sing praises to me, saying that my own merit is also beyond thought or discussion. 32 / 251
"Therefore with the arising of these words Shakyamuni Buddha has performed a very difficult and rare work by which He was able, in this universe and world, even with its Five Periods of Evil Realms and its Impure Eons, to discern its impurities. Also He discerned the defiling nature of passions impurity and the assembled rebirths impurity and also the reduced length of life impurity and even so, among these impurities, He obtained the Unexcelled Complete Enlightenment. Thereupon His Activity was to expound to all the many kinds of living beings the Dharma that is difficult to have faith in because of the separations caused by impurities. 33 / 251
"Sariputra, I have the suitable knowledge of these Five Evil Periods and have thus acted in this difficult labor because I have attained the Unexcelled Complete Enlightenment. Thus so also is my activity to expound to all the many kinds of living beings that Dharma that is difficult to have faith in because of the divisions in all realms. Although this correct activity is very difficult, the Buddha has expounded this correct Sutra." Thereupon Sariputra and the many kinds 34 / 251
of fully ordained monks and the whole world of Devas, Men and Arhats who all equally heard the Buddha expound this Sutra were strengthened in Joy, Faith and Resolve and each of them made Ten Obeisances to Him. PRECENTOR Thus did the Buddha expound the Amitabha Sutra! Now comes a time of "One 35 / 251
Mindedness" free from distractions before beginning to enlarge the concentration to include the Holy Name. By means of our calling out this name, myriads of past blameworthy acts are completely eradicated and many beneficial roots, merits and blessings are thusly caused. The "twenty-one character (the first portion of the Future Rebirth Dharani)" compose this Treasury' fundamental origin. Without this relationship, men of later times would not have been able to add to this offering and thus get rid of past karma. 36 / 251
PRECENTOR Let us now recite the Mystical Formula for pulling out the 'Tap Root' of Karmic Obstructions and attaining rebirth in the Pure Land! ALL Give Praise to Amitabha Buddha! Tathagata! He Who Calls Out! Amitabha Who Benefits! All That Exists! Amitabha Benefits Everywhere! One 37 / 251
Hundred Existences! Amitabha Benefits Everywhere! The Prophesied Sovereign! Amitabha Benefits Everywhere! The Prophesied Sovereign! One Who Benefits All! The Firmament and Sky Benefiting! Hail! ALL Give Praise to Amitabha Buddha! Tathagata! He Who Calls Out! Amitabha Benefits Everywhere! One Hundred Existences! Amitabha Benefits Everywhere! The Prophesied Sovereign! Amitabha Benefits Everywhere! The 38 / 251
Prophesied Sovereign! One Who Benefits All! The Firmament and Sky Benefiting! Hail! ALL Give Praise to Amitabha Buddha! Tathagata! He Who Calls Out! Amitabha Benefits Everywhere! One Hundred Existences! Amitabha Benefits Everywhere! The Prophesied Sovereign! Amitabha Benefits Everywhere! The Prophesied Sovereign! One Who Benefits All! The Firmament and Sky Benefiting! Hail! 39 / 251
WORSHIPPING THE BUDDHAS BY CONFESSION AND REPENTANCE Also called the Litany of Eighty-eight Buddhas While shown as a portion of the Daily Text, common practice may reserve the use of this for auspicious days Plainsong 40 / 251
ALL Greatly Compassionate, Greatly Merciful, Pitying All Living Beings! Greatly Joyful, Greatly Renouncing, Aiding All Sentient Beings! Their Thirty-two Marks are illuminated by their Heroism! With One Mind all turn toward the altar and kneel 41 / 251
those gathered here offer their lives in worship! Now speaking plainly ALL We praise and take refuge in the Diamond - Thunderbolt Superior Teachers! We take refuge in the Buddhas! We take refuge in the Dharma! 42 / 251
We take refuge in the Sangha! At this moment my mind is made up and my 'non-active' self prays for the Reward that is called 'Blessed' by Men and Devas. Those who listened to the Buddha's Teachings and the Pratyaka Buddhas who take the smaller expedient teaching and the diverse kinds of Bodhisattvas who rely upon the Supreme Vehicle all send forth the Enlightened Mind, vowing that this shall be extended to the Dharma Realm of All Sentient Beings so that all can together and at the same time attain the Unexcelled Complete Enlightenment! 43 / 251
Plainsong I commit myself and take refuge in all the Myriad Buddhas of the Ten Directions and the Complete Universe! I commit myself and take refuge in all the Honored Dharmas of the Ten Directions and the Complete Universe! I commit myself and take refuge in all the Saintly and Virtuous Sanghas of the Ten Directions and the Complete Universe! 44 / 251
I commit myself to the Tathagatas, Arhats, Completely Enlightened Ones, Well Departed Ones, Knowers of the Worlds, Unsurpassed Lords, Tamers of the Passions of Men, Teachers of Men and Devas, Enlightened Ones, World Honored Ones! I commit myself to the Universal Light Buddha! I commit myself to the Universal Enlightenment Buddha! I commit myself to the Universal Purity Buddha! I commit myself to the Cassia Leafed Sandalwood Fragrance Buddha! 45 / 251
I commit myself to the Sandalwood Illuminating Buddha! I commit myself to the Jeweled Pennant Buddha! I commit myself to the Gladness Storehouse of Jewels Treasure- Heaped Buddha! I commit myself to the Whole World of Joy Discerning Supreme Great Purified Progress Buddha! I commit myself to the Jeweled Flickering Lantern Illuminating Buddha! I commit myself to the Torch of Wisdom Shining Buddha! I commit myself to the Ocean of Virtue Illuminating Buddha! I commit myself to the Diamond Firm 46 / 251
and Secure Pervasively Scattering Precious Light Buddha! I commit myself to the Great Strong Unadulterated Progress Buddha! I commit myself to the Great Merciful Illumination Buddha! I commit myself to the Compassionate Powered Lord Buddha! I commit myself to the Compassionate Treasury Buddha! I commit myself to the Sandalwood Cave of Dignity Glorious Victory Buddha! I commit myself to the Virtuous Sage Buddha! I commit myself to the Virtuous Faculty of Thought Buddha! 47 / 251
I commit myself to the Greatly Dignified Glorious Lord Buddha! I commit myself to the Precious Blossom Illuminating Buddha! I commit myself to the Precious Canopy Shining in the Void Sovereign Powerful Lord Buddha! I commit myself to the Sunyata Treasured Blossom Illuminating Buddha! I commit myself to the Lapis Lazuli Adorned Buddha! I commit myself to the Universally Manifested Physical Body Illuminating Buddha! I commit myself to the Unmoved Wisdom Illuminating Buddha! I commit myself to the Subjugating 48 / 251
the Assembly of Demons Lord Buddha! I commit myself to the Talent Illuminating and Enlightening Buddha! I commit myself to the Knowledge and Wisdom Victorious Buddha! I commit myself to the Benevolent Maitreya Immortal Illuminating Buddha! I commit myself to the Skilled in Calmness Moon Sounds Mysteriously Honoring Knowing Lord Buddha! I commit myself to the World of Purity Illuminating Buddha! I commit myself to the Honored Race of Dragon Kings, Lord Buddha! I commit myself to the Sun and Moon Illuminating Buddha! 49 / 251
I commit myself to the Sun and Moon Pearl Illuminating Buddha! I commit myself to the Wisdom Pennant Victorious Lord Buddha! I commit myself to the Lion's Roar Sovereign and Powerful Lord Buddha! I commit myself to the Mysterious Sounds Surpassing Buddha! I commit myself to the Eternally Illuminated Pennant Buddha! I commit myself to the Regarding the World Lantern Buddha! I commit myself to the Wise and Majestic Lantern Buddha! I commit myself to the Dharma Victorious Lord Buddha! I commit myself to the Mystical Mountain Illuminating Buddha! 50 / 251
I commit myself to the Great Jasmine Flower Illuminating Buddha! I commit myself to the Distinguished by the Udumbra Tree's Weighty Blossom Surpassing Lord Buddha! I commit myself to the Great Wisdom Powerful Lord Buddha! I commit myself to the Unmoved When Surrounded by Pleasure Joyful Illumination Buddha! I commit myself to the Unlimited Sound Hearing Lord Buddha! I commit myself to the Talent Illuminating Buddha! I commit myself to the Golden Ocean Illuminating Buddha! I commit myself to the Mountain and Sea Wisdom Sovereign Universal 51 / 251
Lord Buddha! I commit myself to the Great Pervading Illumination Buddha! I commit myself to the Wholly and Eternally Complete in the Dharma Lord Buddha! The above 53 Buddhas come from looking into the "Sutra of the Two Bodhisattva Brothers of Medicine." The below 35 Buddhas come from looking into the "Sutra of the Fixed and Settled Vinaya." 52 / 251
I commit myself to the Wise One of the Shakyas Buddha! I commit myself to the Diamond -Thunderbolt Indestructible Buddha! I commit myself to the Precious Illumination Buddha! I commit myself to the Dragon Honored Lord Buddha! I commit myself to the Like an Army Purely Progressing Buddha! I commit myself to the Purely Progressing Joyous Buddha! I commit myself to the Precious Fire Buddha! I commit myself to the Precious Moon Illuminating Buddha! I commit myself to the Manifested Without Ignorance Buddha! 53 / 251
I commit myself to the Precious Moon Buddha! I commit myself to the Undefiled Buddha! I commit myself to the Abandoning Defilements Buddha! I commit myself to the Courage Bestowing Buddha! I commit myself to the Pure Clear Buddha! I commit myself to the Pure Clarity Bestowing Buddha! I commit myself to the Easily Keeping Thusness Buddha! I commit myself to the Water Deva Varuna Buddha! I commit myself to the Fixed Virtue Buddha! 54 / 251
I commit myself to the Sandalwood Meritorious Virtued Buddha! I commit myself to the Immeasurable Grasped in Both Hands Illuminating Buddha! I commit myself to the Illuminating Virtue Buddha! I commit myself to the Without Sorrow Virtuous Buddha! I commit myself to the Son of the Eternal Spirit Buddha! I commit myself to the Meritorious Virtued Blossom Buddha! I commit myself to the Lotus Blossom Illuminating Supernatural Power Universal Buddha! I commit myself to the Wealth of Virtue Meritorious Buddha! 55 / 251
I commit myself to the Meritorious at Reflection and Recitation Buddha! I commit myself to the Skilled at Reflection and Invoking Virtue Meritorious Buddha! I commit myself to the Scarlet Flame Sovereign Pennant Lord Buddha! I commit myself to the Skilled at Travel By Walking Meritorious Buddha! I commit myself to the Provokers of War Overcoming Buddha! I commit myself to the Skilled at Travel By Walking Buddha! I commit myself to the Completely Encompassed and Adorned with Virtue and Merits Buddha! I commit myself to the Precious 56 / 251
Blossom at Every Step of the Journey Buddha! I commit myself to the Precious Lotus Blossom Virtuously Abiding In the Guardian Teak Tree Lord Buddha! I commit myself to the Dharma Realm's Place of Refuge Amitabha Buddha! This last named Buddha is not a part of the 35, but is added from the "Sutra for the Salvation of the Flaming Mouths.", 57 / 251
Slowly with feeling, but clearly PRECENTOR Thus so, everywhere ALL In all Worlds the myriad World Honored Buddhas are always thus 58 / 251
abiding in those Worlds. And if in our present lives or in our past lives, we have yielded to the beginningless cycles of life and death and have assembled sins, these Myriad World Honored Ones have suitable compassionate thoughts for us. If I have acted or if I have urged others to act, I understand that following my desires is like mistaking a pagoda for an assembly of monks or for an assembly of living beings. If I have become attached or if I have urged others to become attached, I see that from these desires come the Five Uninterrupted Sins. If I have acted or if I have urged others to act, I understand that from acting according 59 / 251
to desire comes the Ten Unvirtuous Paths. If I act or urge others to act, I see that acting according to desires sets up sinful barriers, and whether or not one has carefully examined the Pitakas, one like this deservedly falls into Hell, or becomes a Hungry Ghost, or is reborn as animal or one of the many other kinds of incarnations that result from sin. The Border of the Pure Land is not won cheaply, nor can it be reached by non-buddhists. Thus we here who are held back by sinful obstructions now confess and repent all of them. As we do this, the Myriad World Honored Buddhas attest to knowing us and undertake to watch over us, and in 60 / 251
response to this, before these Myriad World Honored Buddhas I speak thusly: If in this life for all our remaining years we are continually active in the spreading of alms or in our keeping of the Pure Precepts, in this way giving alms to dumb animals so that each received what it needs, or if we cultivate pure actions we will have good roots. By doing these things with no thought except for the benefit of all living beings, we will come to possess good roots. By cultivating the actions of Bodhi-Wisdom, we will 61 / 251
come to possess good roots. And when we finally achieve the Unsurpassed Knowledge, we will have done so because of having these good roots. Adding all this together, we can assess our gain and these merits we completely and totally offer up to the Unexcelled Complete Enlightenment. Thus in the past, present and future, as is presently being made manifest by these Myriad Buddhas, therefore I likewise do this for the benefit of others. My assembled sins I confess and repent, and their Infinite Blessings put an end to my self-indulgence. I also beg for these Buddhas' Meritorious Virtues, vowing that I shall perfect the 62 / 251
Unsurpassed Knowledge. In the Past, Present and Future these Buddhas have achieved the Greatest Surpassing Victory for all living beings and to their Immeasurable Ocean of Accomplishment, I now surrender my life in devotion. This ends the Litany of the Eighty-eight Buddhas, but not the Rite of Confession and Repentance. If the preceding portion of the Rite is omitted, this remaining section must still be used daily. 63 / 251
All rise ALL In the Worlds in all directions dwell the Three Periods Complete Lions of Men, and with our pure clean bodies, speech and thoughts, we have wholly and completely worshipped them, excluding none! The awe-inspiring majesty of P'u Hsien's Vow of Activity has also been completely manifested before these Tathagatas. His One Body repeatedly manifests itself in 64 / 251
bodies as countless as dust with each of these bodies giving worship to Buddhas that are also countless as dust, and, within the center of each grain of dust, there are also Buddhas to be counted: Each of them residing in the center of a Bodhisattva Assembly! Throughout the Inexhaustible Dharma Realm, all grains of dust are also like this! Nevertheless, be firmly convinced that each of these Myriad Buddhas is replete with a Full Ocean of Expounding's Wonderful Words which can not be used up by all the ages of the future! 65 / 251
Sing praises to these Buddhas Very Profound Oceans of Merits, and consider the myriads of Surpassingly Victorious Wonderfully Flowered Garlands which adorn them. Even as they are praised by singing maidens and other female dancers and performers who anoint themselves with perfume and incense to worship these Buddhas; Even as those great leaders and statesmen and those who are entitled to the signs and symbols of authority and others that can wear the Surpassing and Glorious Adornments of Merit worship these Buddhas; so do we also make nourishing offerings to these Tathagatas who are peerlessly robed 66 / 251
and peerlessly fragrant. Powdered Incense is burning and the Candles are lighted: One-by-one, all these wonderful and Eminent Buddhas assemble as we wholly make these many kinds of nourishing offerings to the Tathagatas. Because of their Broad and Great Victories, our minds are liberated, and we come to have Deep Faith in all the Buddhas of the Three Realms. 67 / 251
We also know that it is because of the Power of P'u Hsien's Vow of Activity that we can always and continually make this nourishing offering to the Myriad Tathagatas: Bring the palms together and continue solemnly From the beginning all evil karmas have been created by my greed anger and delusion and have stemmed from my body, mouth and mind. All of 68 / 251
them I now Repent. completely Confess and Releasing the hands, the Assembly continues normally saying: In the Ten Directions, all the many kinds of living beings take refuge in the Two Vehicles which contain the Knowledge that extends beyond Knowledge, and, All Tathagatas, together with the Bodhisattvas, make use of this Meritorious Achievement to Rejoice in the Welfare of Others! 69 / 251
Throughout the Ten Directions they have "Divided the Light," And from this superlative beginning have caused beings to attain the Bodhi-Mind. We now ask, with every fiber of our beings, that they turn the Unsurpassed Mysterious Dharma Wheel by which, in the presence of the passions, All Buddhas proclaim Nirvana, and, With greatest sincerity, we fully, avidly and devotedly meditate on their Vows to always abide in lands as countless as dust for ages without 70 / 251
end until the Blessed Joy is arrived at by all living beings. We have completely worshipped, sung hymns of praise and made nourishing offerings to the Buddhas, and, We have invited the Buddha that abides in this World to turn the Dharma Wheel. We have fulfilled our wishes and been able to confess and repent. All these activities have created many good roots which we now dedicate to all living beings so that they, too, can reach the Buddha Path. 71 / 251
We also vow that whatever Victory and Merits that we receive from this, we dedicate to the Unsurpassed True Dharma Realm whose nature is manifested in the Buddha, in the Dharma and in the Sangha also! The two forms of statements are thus combined in the Samadhi Seal creating an Immeasurable Ocean of Merit, and, this merit we also completely dedicate so that all living beings that possess body, mouth or mind can see as escape from the confusion that slanders our Dharma everywhere. 72 / 251
Thusly, all the many kinds of karmic obstacles will be fully and completely dispersed, without a trace of a remainder so that in the thought-after-thought, wisdom on every side Dharma Realms there will be the vast salvation of all living beings so that there will be no retreating into Birth and Death, and, so that throughout the Empty Realm of Sunyata and in the Finite Worlds, all living beings will be emptied of Karma and Klesa. Therefore, in the same way that those of the Four Dharmas, whose merits 73 / 251
are broad and limitless, have vowed to give their merit for the benefit of all living beings, slowly turn so that the Two Ranks face each other We also give our own merits to all living beings, saying: Give Praise to the Great Activity of P'u Hsien Bodhisattva, The Confession and Repentance Teaching Bodhisattva - Mahasattva! 74 / 251
repeat the above sentence three times After the third repetition, the Hand Ch'ing is struck twice quickly and all rise and perform WEN-HSUN bow. The Two Ranks again turn to face each other. RITE OF BESTOWING ALMS FOOD Translation Note: CAUTION! This rite is clearly indicated in all 75 / 251
texts, but common practice shows that it is not usually performed daily as the text would seem to indicate. Instead, this rite was generally performed only on Auspicious Days and on the 1st and 15th of each month. In some temples and monasteries, it was not performed at all due to caution on the part of the Abbot. Indeed, in some places anyone caught learning this Rite was banned from the establishment by standing rules. This is because this rite is one of the most serious of the Tantric Rites 76 / 251
that became common to Chinese Buddhist practice. As the rite involves the use of Mantra, Mudra and Samadhi of the highest type, few were qualified to correctly perform it, and those who did so without the practice and knowledge required to do so correctly did (and do) so at their peril. Today, we live in an age when few 'intelligent' people believe in the ghosts for whom this rite is intended. Logic would then dictate that it be omitted by those who do not believe in ghosts. If you are one who is 77 / 251
certain that this rite still has a purpose and an audience, please be cautious and learn the correct performance of the Mudra indicated before attempting this rite. Being the correct manner of bestowing Alms Food on Hungry Ghosts by monks as taught at Meng Shan and handed down to us by Dharma Master Wai Kuo Kan Lu, who taught this method to the Great Assembly when he dwell for a time at the "Four Streams Concealed Mountain Monastery" commonly known as Meng Shan. 78 / 251
In addition to the Ceremonial Words that follow, the Master also left us with this gatha: ALL SILENTLY A fierce fire, blazing, blazing, illuminating the Iron City The Iron City that burns those Solitary Souls The Solitary Souls that desire to be 79 / 251
reborn in the Pure Land Let them then listen to this portion of the Hua-Yen. The IRON CITY is the most fierce and terrible of all the Hells. The phrase translated here as Solitary Souls means in its complete nuance "those souls for whom there is no-one to offer sacrifices.' The HUA-YEN referred to is the "Flower Garland" or the Chinese name for - the Avatamsaka Sutra. [Japanese: Kengon] 80 / 251
The Eastern and Western Ranks are to stand facing each other. ALL If men desire the Complete Knowledge of all the Buddhas of the Three Realms, let them look thoroughly into the nature of the Dharma Realms which are affirmed to be completely created by the Mind! 81 / 251
At the first stroke of the Great Ch'ing above (after the word Buddha) an ACOLYTE (Shih-che) who has been schooled in his duty and who is standing in the Eastern Ranks, turns to face the Altar and gives WEN-HSUN bow. He remains quietly in this position. If men desire the Complete Knowledge of all the Buddhas of the Three Realms, let them look thoroughly into the nature of the 82 / 251
Dharma Realms which are affirmed to be completely created by the Mind! If men desire the Complete Knowledge of all the Buddhas of the Three Realms, let them look thoroughly into the nature of the Dharma Realms which are affirmed to be completely created by the Mind! PRECENTOR 83 / 251
The Pure Words That Break Open The Gates Of Hell! ALL AUM! To the One of Kharadiya Mountain, Hail! AUM! To the One of Kharadiya Mountain, Hail! AUM! To the One of Kharadiya Mountain, Hail! 84 / 251
PRECENTOR The Pure Words of Universal Invitation! ALL Give Praise to the Earth and the Earth's Unwavering Tathagata! Give Praise to the Earth and the Earth's Unwavering Tathagata! 85 / 251
Give Praise to the Earth and the Earth's Unwavering Tathagata! PRECENTOR The Pure Words That Release the Bonds of Oppression! ALL 86 / 251
AUM! To the Three Shining Antidotes, Hail! AUM! To the Three Shining Antidotes, Hail! AUM! To the Three Shining Antidotes, Hail! Now the entire assembly brings the palms together in the position of salutation ALL 87 / 251
Give Praise to the Surpassing Flower Garland Sutra of the Mahayana! Give Praise to the Surpassing Flower Garland Sutra of the Mahayana! Give Praise to the Surpassing Flower Garland Sutra of the Mahayana! ALL Give Praise to the Constantly 88 / 251
Abiding in the Ten Directions Buddhas! Give Praise to the Constantly Abiding in the Ten Directions Dharma! Give Praise to the Constantly Abiding in the Ten Directions Sangha! Give Praise to Our Original Teacher Shakyamuni Buddha! Give Praise to the Great Compassionate Hearer of the Cries of the World, Kuan Shih Yin Bodhisattva! Give Praise to the Dark and Light, Saving from Suffering Earth-Storehouse Lord, Ti Tsang 89 / 251
Bodhisattva! Give Praise to the One Who Recorded the Teachings, the Venerable Ananda! At the stroke of the Hand Ch'ing after the word "original", the ACOLYTE gives WEN-HSUN and moves slowly to stand before the "bowing cushion" which should be placed directly in front of the CELEBRANT'S SEAT in the central aisle between the Two Ranks. The ACOLYTE then 90 / 251
makes another bow of WEN-HSUN when he arrives and standing in place begins to offer three bows for each of the seven praises, repeated three times. Now the entire assembly turns to face the altar while continuing the repetition of these seven praises. All keep their hands in the position of salutation as they continue: 91 / 251
ALL Give Praise to the Constantly Abiding in the Ten Directions Buddhas! Give Praise to the Constantly Abiding in the Ten Directions Dharma! Give Praise to the Constantly Abiding in the Ten Directions Sangha! Give Praise to Our Original Teacher Shakyamuni Buddha! Give Praise to the Great Compassionate Hearer of the Cries 92 / 251
of the World, Kuan Shih Yin Bodhisattva! Give Praise to the Dark and Light, Saving from Suffering Earth-Storehouse Lord, Ti Tsang Bodhisattva! Give Praise to the One Who Recorded the Teachings, the Venerable Ananda! Give Praise to the Constantly Abiding in the Ten Directions Buddhas! Give Praise to the Constantly Abiding in the Ten Directions 93 / 251
Dharma! Give Praise to the Constantly Abiding in the Ten Directions Sangha! Give Praise to Our Original Teacher Shakyamuni Buddha! Give Praise to the Great Compassionate Hearer of the Cries of the World, Kuan Shih Yin Bodhisattva! Give Praise to the Dark and Light, Saving from Suffering Earth-Storehouse Lord, Ti Tsang Bodhisattva! Give Praise to the One Who Recorded the Teachings, the Venerable Ananda! 94 / 251
When the many bows are completed, the Acolyte will again perform WEN-HSUN and both the Acolyte and the Assembly release the palms. The Acolyte who has come from his position has done so to display our honor to the Buddha, and his three bows have displayed our honor to the three Precious Ones, the Buddha Shakyamuni, the Bodhisattva Kuan Yin, the Bodhisattva Ti 95 / 251
Tsang and the Venerable Patriarch Ananda, who because of the power of their fundamental vows hear us when we call out their names and make their appearance known throughout the entire universe so as to give their aid to help the Hungry Ghosts to escape suffering. ALL 96 / 251
I take refuge in the Buddha! The ACOLYTE, still acting on behalf of the entire assembly, at the word "Buddha" begins the bow of full formal prostration. I take refuge in the Dharma! I take refuge in the Sangha! I take refuge in the Buddha 97 / 251
because of His Two Complete and Honored Teachings! The ACOLYTE now performs the mudra "Lifting the Buddha's Feet" I take refuge in the Dharma because its Mysterious Power aids me to abandon the passions take refuge in the Sangha because it is the Wonderful Brotherhood that follows the Venerable Middle Way! 98 / 251
Thus, I have taken refuge in the Buddha! The ACOLYTE now rises up from the Full Formal Prostration Thus, I have taken refuge in the Dharma! Thus, I have taken refuge in the Sangha! 99 / 251
ALL I take refuge in the Buddha! The ACOLYTE now begins a second Full Formal Prostration I take refuge in the Dharma! I take refuge in the Sangha! 100 / 251
I take refuge in the Buddha because of His Two Complete and Honored Teachings! The ACOLYTE now performs the mudra "Lifting the Buddha's Feet" for the second time. I take refuge in the Dharma because its Mysterious Power aids me to abandon the Passions! I take refuge in the Sangha because it is the Wonderful 101 / 251
Brotherhood that follows the Venerable Middle Way! Thus, I have taken refuge in the Buddha! The ACOLYTE now rises up from the second Full Formal Prostration. Thus, I have taken refuge in the 102 / 251
Dharma! Thus, I have taken refuge in the Sangha! ALL I take refuge in the Buddha! The ACOLYTE now begins the third and final Full Formal Prostration. 103 / 251
I take refuge in the Dharma! I take refuge in the Sangha! I take refuge in the Buddha because of His Two Complete and Honored Teachings! The ACOLYTE now performs the mudra of "Lifting the Buddha's Feet" for the third and final time. 104 / 251
I take refuge in the Dharma because its Mysterious Power aids me to abandon the Passions! I take refuge in the Sangha because it is the Wonderful Brotherhood that follows the Venerable Middle Way! Thus, I have taken refuge in the Buddha! The ACOLYTE now rises up from the final Full Formal Prostration. 105 / 251
Thus, I have taken refuge in the Dharma! Thus, I have taken refuge in the Sangha! The ACOLYTE now performs the WEN-HSUN bow and returns to his place ALL 106 / 251
On behalf of the Children of Buddha who have created the many kinds of sinful karma, which has existed from time without beginning, having been caused by greed, anger and delusion which stemmed from the body, speech and thought, and has brought them to this present existence, all these do the Children of the Buddha thus completely Confess and Repent. On behalf of the many sorts of Sentient Beings who have created the many kinds of sinful karma, 107 / 251
which has existed from time without beginning, having been cause by greed, anger and delusion which stemmed from the body, speech and thought, and has brought them to this present existence, all these do the Sentient Beings thus completely Confess and Repent. On behalf of the Solitary Souls who have created the many kinds of sinful karma, which has existed from time without beginning, having been caused by greed, anger and delusion which stemmed from the 108 / 251
body, speech and thought, and has brought them to this present existence, all these do the Solitary Souls thus completely Confess and Repent. All living beings without limits they swear and vow to save; Pain and distress without ending they swear and vow to cut off; Dharma Gates beyond counting they swear and vow to master; Buddha Paths without measure they swear and vow to perfect; 109 / 251
All living beings without limits they swear and vow to save; Pain and distress without ending they swear and vow to cut off; Dharma Gates beyond counting they swear and vow to master; Buddha Paths without measure they swear and vow to perfect; All living beings without limits they swear and vow to save; Pain and distress without ending they swear and vow to cut off; Dharma Gates beyond counting they swear and vow to master; 110 / 251
Buddhas Paths without measure they swear and vow to perfect. On my own behalf, I also swear and vow to save limitless numbers of living beings; On my own behalf, I also swear and vow to endlessly cut off pain and distress; On my own behalf, I also swear and vow to master countless Dharma Gates; 111 / 251
The ACOLYTE now performs WEN-HSUN and again comes from his place to stand before the "bowing cushion" with his hands in the position of salutation. On my own behalf, I also swear and vow to perfect Buddha Paths without measure; On my own behalf, I also swear and vow to save limitless numbers of living beings; 112 / 251
On my own behalf, I also swear and vow to endlessly cut off pain and distress; On my own behalf, I also swear and vow to master countless Dharma Gates; On my own behalf, I also swear and vow to perfect Buddha Paths without measure; On my own behalf, I also swear and vow to save limitless numbers of living beings; On my own behalf, I also swear and vow to endlessly cut off pain 113 / 251
and distress; On my own behalf, I also swear and vow to master countless Dharma Gates; On my own behalf, I also swear and vow to perfect Buddha Paths without measure! PRECENTOR Ti Tsang's Pure Words for Extinguishing Fixed Karma! 114 / 251
ALL AUM! To the One of Saving Transformations, Hail! AUM! To the One of Saving Transformations, Hail! AUM! To the One of Saving Transformations, Hail! The ACOLYTE now turns to the center and performs WEN-HSUN. 115 / 251
PRECENTOR Kuan Yin's Pure Words for Extinguishing Karmic Barricades! ALL AUM! To be free from desires, Svaha! AUM! To be free from desires, Svaha! 116 / 251
AUM! To be free from desires, Svaha! PRECENTOR The Pure Words for Opening the Throat! AUM! Let those of the suffering existences come to the Tathagata! AUM! Let those of the suffering 117 / 251
existences come to the Tathagata! AUM! Let those of the suffering existences come to the Tathagata! The ACOLYTE now moves to before the Buddha and performs WEN-HSUN. PRECENTOR The Pure Words of the Precepts for 118 / 251
Removing Unclean Hindrances! ALL AUM! Removing Unclean Impurities From All Living Beings! As the first AUM, is spoken, the ACOLYTE begins the "Raising the Lotus" Mudra with the right hand The left hand circles the 119 / 251
Sacred Character (AUM) on the Altar, clockwise, and then forms the "Binding Sign" Mudra. The entire action is completed before the end of the sentence. The above movements are repeated with each of the lines below, making three times in all. AUM! Removing Unclean Impurities From All Living Beings! AUM! Removing Unclean Impurities From All Living Beings! 120 / 251