THE FOUR ESTABLISHMENTS OF MINDFULNESS

WE ARE TRULY PRESENT

(Gatha to be read before beginning Kinh Hanh)

We are truly present our hearts established in mindfulness

For sitting meditation, kinh hanh and reciting the sutras

May the three jewels and the holy nagas

Support this meditation centre with its four sanghas

Protecting them from the eight misfortunes and the three paths of suffering

May the four sounds and the three worlds be permeated by the great favour

May there be no place in the world at war

May the winds be favourable, the rain seasonable and the people’s hearts at peace

May the practice of the sangha be steady and diligent

Ascending the ten bhumis without hardship

May the Sanghakaya live in peace, joy and newness

The refuges and the precepts bringing happiness and wisdom

The wisdom of the Awakened mind shines out like the full moon

The body of the Awakened One is as pure and clear as lapis lazuli

The Awakened One in the world never ceases to save beings from suffering

Nowhere is there Awakened mind which lacks love and compassion

Please sisters establish your mindfulness to recite the name of the Buddha

Namo Sakyamunaye Buddhaya

(stand up and practise circumambulation while recollecting the Buddha)

PROSTRATIONS

Teaching and living the way of awareness in the very midst of suffering and confusion, Sakyamuni Buddha the Awakened One, to whom we bow in gratitude. (B)

Seed of awakening and loving kindness in children, sprouts and all beings, Maitreya, the Buddha to be born, to whom we bow in gratitude. (B)

Cutting through ignorance, awakening our hearts and our minds, Manjusri the bodhisattva of great understanding to whom we bow in gratitude. (B)

Working mindfully, working joyfully for the sake of all beings, Samantabhadra the bodhisattva of great action, to whom we bow in gratitude. (B)

Seeing the Buddha in everyone, Sadaparibhuta, the bodhisattva of constant respect, to whom we bow in gratitude. (B)

Showing the way fearlessly and compassionately the stream of all our ancestral teachers, to whom we bow in gratitude. (BB)

TO PROTECT AND TRANSFORM

We your disciples who from beginningless time

have made ourselves unhappy out of confusion and ignorance,

being born and dying with no direction,

have now found confidence in the highest awakening.

We have seen clearly that there is a beautiful path.

However much we may have drifted on the ocean of suffering,

there is now a light of loving-kindness which can direct us.

We bow deeply to the Buddha and spiritual ancestors,

who can light the path and guide our steps.

The wrongdoing and suffering which has imprisoned us

has resulted from greed, hatred, ignorance and pride.

Today we sincerely begin anew to purify and free our hearts.

Awakened wisdom bright like the sun and moon,

immeasurable compassion rescuing mankind,

we are resolved to live well,

throughout our life going for refuge for the Three Jewels.

We shall take the boat of loving-kindness to go over the ocean of troubles.

We shall hold the torch of understanding to come out of the forest of confusion.

With determination we shall realise learning, reflecting and practice.

Right view will be the basis of actions of body, speech and mind.

Right mindfulness will determine our walking, standing, lying down and sitting,

the form of our speaking, smiling, coming in and going out.

Whenever anger and anxiety enter our heart,

we are determined to come back to ourselves with conscious breathing.

With every step we shall enter the Pure Land.

With every look we shall see the Dharmakaya.

When our sense organs touch sense objects we shall always use careful attention,

so habit energies can be transformed.

May our heart's garden of awakening bloom with one hundred flowers.

May we bring the feeling of peace and joy to every house.

May we plant wholesome seeds on ten thousand paths.

May we never leave the sangha body.

May we never try to escape the world where there are beings to be rescued.

May mountains and rivers be our witness

as we bow our heads and request the lord of Compassion.

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