DISCOURSE ON HAPPINESS (p. 82)

THE HEART OF THE PRAJNAPARAMITA (p. 5)

RECOLLECTION

Homage to the Buddhas and the bodhisattvas in the Avatamsaka assembly. (3 times) Bell

Homage to Diên Nhiên Vuong bodhisattva. (3 times) Bell

OPENING VERSE

As if a fire is raging fiercely on all four sides,

the hungry ghosts suffer ceaselessly from the heat.

Hungry ghosts, if you want to be born in the Pure Land

listen to this gatha transmitted by the Buddha:

"If anyone wishes to see and understand

the Buddhas who are present in the three times

that person should observe the Dharmadhatu

and see that all that is arises in the mind." (Bell)

DHARANIS

1) To put an end to the hell realms.

2)

3)

RECOLLECTING THE NAME

(each name three times)

Homage to the Avatamsaka Sutra, extensively taught by the Buddha. (B)

Homage to the Buddha in the ten directions. (B)

Homage to the Dharma in the ten directions. (B)

Homage to the Sangha in the ten directions. (B)

Homage to Buddha Sakyamuni. (B)

Homage to the bodhisattva of Great Compassion, Avalokitesvara. (B)

Homage to the bodhisattva who rescues from suffering, Ksitigarbha. (B)

Homage to the recorder of the teachings, the Venerable Ananda. (B)

REPENTANCE AND ASPIRATION

Disciples of the Buddha have committed unwholesome actions

because thoughts caught in craving, anger and ignorance

have manifested in actions of body, speech and mind.

All disciples of the Buddha repent of this. (B)

All species have committed unwholesome actions

because thoughts caught in craving, anger and ignorance

have manifested in actions of body, speech and mind.

All species repent of this. (B)

Hungry ghosts have committed unwholesome actions

because thoughts caught in craving, anger and ignorance

have manifested in actions of body, speech and mind.

All hungry ghosts repent of this. (B)

Beings are numberless, I vow to save them.

The afflictions are without end, I vow to end them.

The doors of the practice are limitless, I vow to learn them.

The Buddha’s path is the highest, I vow to realise it. (B)

I vow to save beings in their self nature.

I vow to end the very nature of affliction.

I vow to learn the very nature of the doors of practice.

I vow to realise the very nature of the Buddha’s path. (B)

OFFERING

(each dharani recited three times)

1) Dharani to put an end to

2) Dharani to put an end to the obstacles of karma.

3) Dharani to open the throat of the hungry ghosts.

4)

5) Dharani to make food universally available.

6) Dharani to make water universally available

7)

Homage to the Tathagata Prabhutaratna. (B)

Homage to the Tathagata Jewel Victory. (B)

Homage to the Tathagata Wonderful Form Body. (B)

Homage to the Tathagata Extensive Body. (B)

Homage to the Tathagata far from fear. (B)

Homage to the Tathagata of the nectar of compassion. (B)

Maintaining the dharani, consciousness is calmed

as are the Buddha’s disciples in the ten directions.

May all be satisfied so that they give up craving

and quickly leave behind the darkness to be born in the Pure Land.

May they take refuge in the Three Jewels and give rise to bodhicitta,

then realise the highest path.

May the merit of the practice make the land of the future Buddha,

so that all Buddha’s disciples may benefit. (B)

Maintaining the dharani, consciousness is calmed

as are all species in the ten directions.

May all be satisfied so that they give up craving

and quickly leave behind the darkness to be born in the Pure Land.

May they take refuge in the Three Jewels and give rise to bodhicitta,

then realise the highest path.

May the merit of the practice make the land of the future Buddha,

so that all species may benefit. (B)

Maintaining the dharani, consciousness is calmed

as are the hungry ghosts in the ten directions.

May all be satisfied so that they give up craving

and quickly leave behind the darkness to be born in the Pure Land.

May they take refuge in the Three Jewels and give rise to bodhicitta,

Then realise the highest path.

May the merit of the practice make the land of the future Buddha,

So that all hungry ghosts may benefit. (B)

O Buddha’s disciples,

I am making these offerings of food

Which will multiply in all ten directions

So that you all can receive it.

By the merit of this offering

May all Buddha’s disciples and we ourselves

Be successful in the realisation of the path. O Buddha’s disciples,

I am making these offerings of food

Which will multiply in all ten directions

So that you all can receive it.

By the merit of this offering

May all Buddha’s disciples and we ourselves

Be successful in the realisation of the path. (B)

O beings of all species,

I am making these offerings of food

Which will multiply in all ten directions

So that you all can receive it.

By the merit of this offering

May all species and we ourselves

Be successful in the realisation of the path. (B)

O hungry ghosts,

I am making these offerings of food

Which will multiply in all ten directions

So that you all can receive it.

By the merit of this offering

May all hungry ghosts and we ourselves

Be successful in the realisation of the path. (BB)

Dharani

Dharani to universalise the offering. (BBB)

GATHA AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE OFFERING

We offer up the taste of the nectar of compassion

In quantity as great as space

May all species reach their deepest aspiration

And take refuge in the shade of great loving-kindness. (B)

TAKING REFUGE.

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 love.

I take refuge in the Sangha, the community which lives in harmony and awareness. (B)

Since I have taken refuge in Buddha,

I see clearly a path of beauty in the world.

Since I have taken refuge in Dharma,

I am learning and practising ways of transformation.

Since I have taken refuge in Sangha

I have the Sangha to shine light on my practice

And support me on the path of practice.(B)

Taking refuge in the Buddha in myself,

I aspire that all people

May recognise the awakened nature

And quickly realise bodhicitta

Taking refuge in the Dharma in myself,

I aspire that all people

Can grasp firmly the ways of practice

and together go on the path of transformation.

Taking refuge in the Sangha in myself

I aspire that all people

May build four-part sanghas to transform

The suffering of numerous people. (BB)

OFFERING UP THE MERIT

Reciting the sutras, practising 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, friends

And numerous beings who give guidance and support along the path. (Bell, Bell)

May we be reborn in the Pure Land,

In the lotus which symbolises no birth.

May Buddhas and bodhisattvas

be our companions on the path of practice. (Bell)

May we put an end to the afflictions,

so that understanding can arise,

So that the obstacles of wrongdoing can come to an end

and the fruit of awakening be fully realised. (Bell, Bell, Bell)