GATHA FOR OPENING SUTRAS
The Precentor (Wei No) strikes the Great Ch'ing and intones:

PRECENTOR

The incomparable and profoundly exquisite Dharma!

ALL

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 SURANGAMA MANTRA
Praising the Surangama Assembly

PRECENTOR

Give Praise!

ALL

To the Surangama Assembly of Great Buddhas and Bodhisattvas!
Give Praise to the Surangama Assembly of Great Buddhas and Bodhisattvas!
Give Praise to the Surangama Assembly of Great Buddhas and Bodhisattvas!

The Dharani of Aryacalanatha

PRECENTOR

Throughout the ages, it is the rarely heard virtue of the Surangama that enables a Buddha to overcome every obstacle.

ALL

It dispels my one hundred million eons of upside-down views, and by its Power, this uncalculating monk can revere and obtain the Dharmakaya. I now resolve to obtain its fruit and become a Precious King; thus, I can repay the Buddha by saving the numberless assembly. I shall protect this Profound Mind, and yet also receive with respect the field of qualities. This Correct Living is called "the activity that repays the Buddha's Blessings."

We humbly request that the Lord of the World bear witness to this Vow of Wisdom:
In the Five Periods of the Evil World, I swear to begin entering into True Thusness, so that in the end, one and all living beings become Buddha. Finally, I will not from this practice and wisdom grasp Nirvana until this has been accomplished.

Greatly Heroic! Greatly Powerful! Greatly Merciful and Compassionate One!

It is also rare that one can examine and get rid of small subtle doubts, so, this morning I will advance the Unsurpassed Bodhi-Mind to the Ten Directions and also the underlying principle of this Ch'an Mountain: Sunyata's Unchanging Nature can dispel and end the turning of the Wheel that Nets the Mind into Unchanging Transformations!

Seven Praises

ALL

We praise the constantly abiding in the Ten Directions Buddha!
We praise the constantly abiding in the Ten Directions Dharma!
We praise the constantly abiding in the Ten Directions Sangha!
We praise Shakyamuni Buddha!
We praise the Buddha's Expounding of the Surangama!
We praise the Regarder of the World's Cries Kuan Shih Yin Bodhisattva!
We praise the Diamond Thunderbolt Treasury Bodhisattva!

Introduction of the Surangama Mantra

PRECENTOR

At one time the World Honored One with His Flame-shaped tuft of Hair from which spring forth One Hundred Precious Lights caused this light to spring forth in the form of a Thousand Petalled Lotus. He then transformed Himself and sat in the center of the Lotus, and, from the Top of His Head, He sent forth in the Ten Directions One Hundred Precious Lights. One by one, the Precious Lights everywhere proclaimed this manifestation in as many times and places as there are Sands in Ten Ganges Rivers.

The Diamond-Thunderbolt Indestructible Deva Guardians of Vairocana sought Him out, and having found Him, lifted up the mountain upon which He sat. As if it was a pestle, they carried it into the empty reaches of space where He found a Great Assembly that was looking into their equally encumbering dreads and desires.

They beseeched the Buddha to have pity on them and to protect them. Thereupon, with "one-mind" so as to hear the Buddha, with His Invisible Mark upon His Head, they listened as the Light-Emitting One, the Tathagata, proclaimed this Mantra:

Text of the Surangama Mantra

ALL

Give Praise to the Awakened One! The Well Come One! The Holy One!
The One With Perfect Universal Knowledge! The Great One!
The Buddha Who Sits on Ten Million Thrones!
Give Praise to all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas!
Give Praise to all the Universally Enlightened Ones! And to those who have abandoned everything--the Sangha!
Give Praise to the Countless World Honored Arhats!
Give Praise to those who have entered the Holy Stream!
Give Praise to those who have but once more to be reborn!
Give Praise to the Countless Perfected Ones! Those who prevent the Sins of Desire!
Give Praise to the Devas and Immortals!
Give Praise to the Accomplished One! The Knowing Immortal Tara; who if looked upon with reverence takes immediate delight in us!
Give Praise to the Jewel of Salvation!
Give Praise to Indra the Creator!
Give Praise to the Holy One! The Guardian Deva Rudra, Lord of the Storms! And His Consort Unmada!
Give Praise to the Holy One! The Immensely Strong Nara, whose utterances are Great, Perfect and Illuminating! Give Praise to this Completely Compassionate One!

Give Praise to the Holy One! The Buddha Mahakara! He who crossed over in previous times! The Unfettered One! We give homage to this one of Untouched Virtue and Unsurpassed Emancipation who wore the cast-off clothing of graveyards and who was a founder of our sect. Give Praise to this Completely Compassionate One!
Give Praise to the Holy One! The Nobly Descended Tathagata!
Give Praise to the Nobly Descended Red Lotus!
Give Praise to the Nobly Descended Diamond-Thunderbolt!
Give Praise to the Nobly Descended Great Jewel!
Give Praise to the Nobly Descended Great Elephant!
Give Praise to the Holy One! The Sovereign Lord Sulasana, who was beyond being possessed by Joy, this Tathagata!
Give Praise to the Holy One! Give Praise to Amitabha! The Well Come One! The Blessed One! The One with Perfect Universal Knowledge!
Give Praise to the Holy One! The Unmoved Buddha Aksobhya! The Well Come One! The Blessed One! The One with Perfect Universal Knowledge!
Give Praise to the Holy One! The Lapis Lazuli Radiating Medicine Teaching Buddha Bhaisajya Tathagata!
Give Praise to the Holy One! The Completely Empty Teacher of Caution who takes pity on those in Hell! The Well Come One! The Blessed One! The One with Perfect Universal Knowledge!
Give Praise to the Holy Ones! Ratnaketuraja! The Two Thousand Precious Buddhas of the Future! The Well Come Ones! The Blessed Ones! The Ones with Perfect Universal Knowledge!
When we are in danger, if we give praise to these Highest Ones, from their dim clouds the World Honored Ones, the Tathagatas of the Ten Million Thrones, send down their protective White Canopy of Purity.
Giving praise to these who are victorious over backsliding on the Three Evil Paths is the perfect true antidote, and without this antidote we are cutoff from their compassion by our desires.

When you are in public and are called out to, or when fragrances secretly lure you, these Protectors of the Needy will surely save you. By completely worshipping these Virtuous Ones, all wrongdoing ends and the Heavenly Beings who proclaimed this Dharani take delight in our behavior!

Making Obeisance to those Enduring Ones that cause our perfection, I invoke the Destroyers of Evil! The Worthy Young Elephants who have caused the Constellations and have clearly pointed out that which is evil!
Thus! I invoke the Destroyers of Evil. Thus! I cause the confinement of all enemies!
These words contain the antidote that excludes evil and those that wish to prevent our passing to the Other Shore. Thus! I avoid the fire pits of Hell.
Great Moon of Nirvana! Great Purifier of Sins! Great Cause of Forbearance! Great Guardian Against Injury! Great Hearer of the Cries of the World: Noble and Compassionate Tara! To whom it is given to watch over us, and who is our sworn protector!

The Diamond-Thunderbolt Garland that pours down on ordinary men!
The Diamond-Thunderbolt Great Utterance of the Fully Accomplished Mind for the Removing of Wickedness!
The Diamond-Thunderbolt Samadhi that causes the Living Devi to be sent down from the Heights of Heaven! Great Emancipating and Nobly Compassionate Tara! The Great Guardian Against Damnation.
The Diamond-Thunderbolt Auspiciously Adorned Ones!
The Diamond-Thunderbolt Female Devas Who Delight in Protecting Us!
The Diamond-Thunderbolt that ends our offenses and changes our dangers into a covering of fragrant flowers, flowers that spread like a ring; created by Vairocana Buddha who exists on ten thousand worlds and who takes myriad delights in these jewel-like creations!

The Diamond-Thunderbolt of Golden Light!
Vairocana's Diamond Thunderbolt that overcomes the threats of Mara! This cleansing light shines from the Buddha Vairocana and His Voice calls out, returning me to the Path of Discipline!

Surangama Mantra, Section Two

ALL

When desire manifests itself, it can be cut off with the following far reaching Gatha:
HUM! Danger Approaches O Yellow Flowered One!
HUM! Danger Approached O Treasured One!
HUM! Danger Approaches O Beyond Accomplishments One Who Is Continually Surrounded By Honors!
HUM! Danger Approaches O Conqueror of All Forms! To the One who has converted multitudes of heretics, I say this danger is drawing near me!
HUM! Danger Approaches! Thus I invoke the mystic formula of the Holy and Sacred One, the Tathagata who sits on Ten Million Thrones and who saves me from desires! The Great Savior of the multitudes who is honored by the fortunate multitudes! The All Knowing, who makes the earth tranquil and conveys understanding to living beings. I entrust myself to the Great Diamond Thunderbolt Illuminating One of the Pleasing Grove's Mandala! The Dread and Desire Overcoming One that I thus honor and who returns me to the Path of Discipline!

Surangama Mantra, Section Three

ALL

He Who is like a King!
He Who is Master of Form!
He Who is like Fire!
He Who is like Water!
He Who is Fearless!
He Who is the Teacher!
He Who is like a Powerful Wheel!
He Whose Tasks are Difficult!
He Who is Unfettered!
He In Whom the Sky Delights!
He Who Created and Send Us this Dharani!
He Who was the Dragon King!
He Who is Above Censure!
He Who is the Great Dragon!
He Who is the Knowing One!
He Who has Overcome Klesa!
He Who has Compassion for Evil Spirits!
He Who has Compassion for Malignant Demons!
He Who has Compassion for Hungry Ghosts!
He Who has Compassion for Female Spirits!
He Who has Compassion for Demons produced by Metamorphosis!
He Who has Compassion for the Demons who consume the vitality of men!
He Who has Compassion for the Female Demons who poison children!
He Who has Compassion for the Evil Odoured Demons!
He Who has Compassion for the Demons who injure children!
He Who has Compassion for the Demons who cause seizures!
He Who has Compassion for the Demons who cause madness!
He Who has Compassion for the Demons who defile food!
He Who has Compassion for the Demons of the Fiery Pits!
We are carried by Birth!
We are carried by Activity!
We are carried by Gaining Strength!
We are carried by Discriminating!
We are carried by Judging!
We are carried by Producing!
We are carried by Feeling the Passing of Time!
We are carried by Becoming Fearful!
We are carried by Our Ties!
We are carried by Ignorance!
We are carried by Mind!
When we have a strong impulse, All the Compassionate Ones use their Knowledge to furnish us with the Armor of Restraint and the Power of Self-Control!
The Salvation from Sin knowledge that furnishes us with the armor of restraint and the power of self-control!
The Conquering One's knowledge that furnishes us with the armor of restraint and the power of self-control!
The Terrible Ash-covered Great Storm God's knowledge that furnishes us with the armor of restraint and the power of self-control!
The Power of the Desireless One's knowledge that furnishes us with the armor of restraint and the power of self-control!
The Great and Upright knowledge that furnishes us with the armor of restraint and the power of self-control!
The Greatly Illuminating Condensed knowledge that furnishes us with the armor of restraint and the power of self-control!
The Very Penetrating Mysterious knowledge that furnishes us with the armor of restraint and the power of self-control!
The Cause of Victory, Cause of Joy One Hundred Fold Completely Pleasing knowledge that furnishes us with the armor of restraint and the power of self-control!
The Preeminent Non-discriminating knowledge that furnishes us with the armor of restraint and the power of self-control!
The Venerable Holy Knowledge that furnishes us with the armor of restraint and the power of self-control!
The Diamond-Thunderbolt Handed, Garland after Garland, Incomparable Lord's knowledge that furnishes us with the armor of restraint and the power of self-control!
The Holy Guardian that returns me to the Path of Discipline!

Surangama Mantra, Section Four

ALL

The Holy Dharani! It descends like a White Canopy to protect us!
Give Praise to the Pure and Elegant Sovereign of the Unfettered Assembly, the Master of Salvation, the Lord Who Constantly Presides Over the Mind!
Rays of Light! Rays of Light! Shining! Shining!
The pervading illumination, the pervading brilliance that cuts through!
HUM! HUM! Moving, moving, moving, moving, moving the world!

Guardian of those who call out!
Guardian of the unfortunate!
Guardian of those who are yet unsaved!
Guardian of those who support the wise!
Guardian of those who cry out for Heavenly Knowledge!

From all the Female Devas, He guards us!
From all the Serpent Kings, He guards us!
From all the Demons, He guards us!
From all the Gods of Fragrance, Music and Sensuality, He guards us!
From all the Female Demons, He guards us!
From the Foul smelling Demons, He guards us!
From all Hostile Written Magic, He guards us!
From all Evil Eyes, He guards us!
From all the Followers of Shiva, He guards us!
From all seizures, He guards us!
From all Violent Beings, He guards us!
From all Self-Injuries, He guards us!
From all Worldly Views, He guards us! And His Triumphant Hand
Fills Us with Joy!
From all that would injure us, He guards us! And the Activities of the Sages, He protects!
The One Who Conquered the Demons' Assembly: He guards us! The Diamond-Thunderbolt that reproaches the wicked!

The One Who Has Knowledge of All Beings: He guards us! The One Who Remembers Us in His Great Surpassing Contemplation: He guards us! The Diamond-Thunderbolt of Heaven!

The Wisdom Enveloped Victorious Guardian! The Great Illuminating One! He Who Has Embraced All Wisdom!
Give Praise to Him Who Acts as the Guardian!
He guards against the spread of disease!
He guards against the spread of the dissolution of the wise!
He guards against the spread of ignorance!
He guards against the spread of the Great Black Demon!
He guards against the spread of poisoning!
He guards against the spread of earthquakes!
He guards against the spread of tempests!
He guards against the spread of angry death causing spirits!
He guards against the spread of darkness on the surface of the earth!
He guards against the spread of the followers of Kali!
And for the freedom of mind of Hearers of the Law, He guards against the spread of celebrity!
He causes injuries to be impeded and thus returns me to the Path of Discipline!

Surangama Mantra, Section Five

For the Evil Hearted, the Disobedient Hearted, He is the Powerful One, the Praiseworthy One, the Fierce One, the Fragrant One, the Moving One, the Engendering One, the Living One, the Mendicant One, the Shining One, the Nurturing One, the Producing One, the Speaking One

For the Wicked Hearted, the Evil Hearted, the Iron Hearted, it is:

He who has compassion for Evil Spirits!
He who has compassion for Malignant Demons!
He who has compassion for Hungry Ghosts!
He who has compassion for Female Spirits!
He who has compassion for Demons produced by metamorphosis!
He who has compassion for Demons who consume the vitality of men!
He who has compassion for Demons who injure children!
He who has compassion for Demons who cause madness!
He who has compassion for Demons who defile food!
He who has compassion for Demons who cause seizures!
He who has compassion for those who injure the Light of the Victorious
Ones!
He who has compassion for those who injure the Enlightened Ones!
He who has compassion for those who cling to clouds!
He who has compassion for the confused and inconsistent!
He who has compassion for those who are very happy!
He who has compassion for those who are unloved!
He who has compassion for those who become intoxicated!

He whose pleasure is the conquering of the multitude with the Light that shines in every region!
He whose pleasure is in accord with His Wishes!
He whose pleasure is to protect the fragrant earth!
He whose pleasure is to know the abandoned!
He whose pleasure is to lead the way for those who will conquer the multitude, lest they falter in their work!
He whose pleasure is to set free!
He whose pleasure is to mark the beautiful boundary!
He whose pleasure is to descend to us from Heaven!

The Complete and Universal Conqueror of the Multitude, who exists in the same realm as the deities and whose exhilarating knowledge pleases the wise! Produced by His Eye! Produced by His Mouth! Produced by His Body!

The One who receives our devotion!

My skin, He makes firm!
My teeth, He makes firm!
My flesh, He makes firm!
My vital spots, He makes firm!
My six parts, He makes firm!
My ligaments, He makes firm!
My belly, He makes firm!
My hair, He makes firm!
My blood, He makes firm!
My breast, He makes firm!
My senses, He makes firm!
My backbone, He makes firm!
My feet, He makes firm!
My whole body, from excesses, He makes firm!

True Father of Wisdom! Conqueror of the Principle of Life! To whom the Creator of the World presented the "Vessels that Protect the Living" as a sign of His respect for the characteristics of this writing!

He bestows on us this excellent existence!
He bestows on us these Sacred Sounds!
He takes pleasure in our activities!
He takes pleasure in our making offerings of incense!
He bestows on us the power to destroy worldly illusions!
He takes pleasure in our coming together to repent our sins!
He anoints our thoughts and takes pleasure in His complete power of speech and action!
He bestows on us His Universal Vows!

Binding our transient thoughts! This is the antidote for demons and malignant spirits, and from the desires of the illusory life!.
His Sacred White Canopy protects us!

The Great Diamond-Thunderbolt of Ten Million Thrones!
The Great One of Surpassing Wisdom! Who causes my feet to turn to the Conqueror, the Yellow Robed One!
Knowing One! Who increases my compassion!
Saving One! Who increases my compassion!
He of the Surpassing Knowledge! Who increases my compassion!

The Heavenly One! AUM!

He proceeds on the wind like fire, manifesting His devotion in place after place! The Diamond-Thunderbolt Handed One! HUM! To Him of Universal Attributes, Hail!

THE THOUSAND HAND THOUSAND EYED GREAT COMPASSIONATE HEART DHARANI

PRECENTOR

The Dharani of the Thousand Hand, Thousand Eyed Great Compassionate Hearted One!

ALL

Give Praise to the Three Treasures!
Give Praise to the Great Bodhisattva-Mahasattva Kuan Yin!
To the Great Compassionate One, AUM!
He who has leaped beyond all fears!
I take refuge, praising Him, in the sure hope that I will be taken into the Heart of the Blue-Necked Noble, Greatly Venerated Kuan Yin!

His is the Perfect Completion; His is the Pure State that brings Victory and clears obstructions from the Path!
AUM! To the Introspecting World Overcoming One! The Great Lion!
The Great Bodhisattva!
All, all is defilement, defilement! The World, world!
Do, do the work! Hold, hold fast to the Great Victory!

I hold, hold on to Indra the Creator!
Move, moving my defilement free one! Come and hear, hear!
Joy springs up in me! Speak, speak and direct me!
Like the trampling of elephants on the earth!
Like the trampling of elephants causing it to tremble!
Going, Going! Auspicious! Auspicious! The Excellent, Excellent One Is awakened, I have awakened The Merciful One! The Blue Necked One! The Daring and Successful One! The Joyous One!
He who has attained a Mastery of Discipline, Hail!
He of the Blue Neck, Hail!
He the Lion Head and Faced One, Hail!
He the Weapon Handed One, Hail!
He the Wheel Handed One, Hail!
He the Lotus Handed One, Hail!
He the Blue-Necked One of Far-reaching Causes, Hail!
He the Beneficent One Who Is Named in this Mystic Formula, Hail!

(a) He of the Diamond-Thunderbolt Surpassing Glory, Hail!
He of the Constellation Surpassing Glory, Hail!
He of the Small Vehicle Surpassing Glory, Hail! AUM!
We honor the words of this Holy One Who Bestows Virtue, Hail!

I give praise to the Three Precious Ones!
I give praise to Kuan Yin, Hail!
May there be success from this Mystical Incantation! Svaha!

(a) This section's four lines are added so that it will be in accord wit the ancient principle as recorded in the Great Compassionate Sutra and is required to insure success according to Great Teacher Yun Hsi (note: some of the newer versions lack this supplement and the verses)

THE TEN SMALL DHARANIS
The Precious Wheel King Dharani

PRECENTOR

The Relics of the Precious Wheel King Dharani!

ALL

Give Praise to the Buddha!
Give Praise to the Dharma!
Give Praise to the Sangha!
Give Praise to the Sovereign of Introspection Bodhisattva Scriptures of the Mahayana, and the Completely Perfect Great Mercifully Hearted One Who Is Distressed for the nieces and nephews of others!

AUM! The Great Wheel King! The Great Mystical Jewel Cintamani!
The Great Red Lotus! Great! Great! Great! Great!
Dwelling in Tusita Heaven in Great Splendor!
Hail and Give Forth Praises!
This is the fundamental mantra
AUM! The Holy Red Lotus! HUM!
This is the Great Mind Mantra
AUM! The Red Lotus and the Mysterious Jewel Cintamani! HUM!

The Calamity Dispersing Mantra

PRECENTOR

The Mantra for Dispersing Calamities and for Bringing Auspicious Good Will From Spirits!

ALL

Adoration to all the Buddhas!
Adoration and Praise to the Unhindered Dharma!
AUM! Sky, sky, sky and wind, sky and wind! HUM! HUM!
Blazing, flaming! Our lives are blazing, our lives are aflame! To Those dwelling in the majestic shadow, whose foundations are in the majestic shadow, to the majestic and fate decreeing, to the ones who decree the fates and the one who are able, able to cease all calamities, to the gods who bring good luck, Hail!

The Meritorious Precious Mountain Dharani

PRECENTOR

The Meritorious Precious Mountain Dharani!

ALL

Give Praise to the Buddha!
Give Praise to the Dharma!
Give Praise to the Sangha! AUM!

To the thoroughly investigating Sovereign of Protection!
Conquering, conquering the Destroyer!
He of the Unique Power!
The Auspicious Lantern that thoroughly penetrates all that has gone before! Hail!

The Dharani to Cundi-Durgha

PRECENTOR

The Buddha's Teaching of the Cundi-Dharani!

ALL

Making full prostration, I place my reliance in the Excellent Essence and I bow my head at the feet of Sakti!
I now praise the Great Cundi, Mother of Buddhas and reflect on Her Compassionate and Merciful Vow to send down Her Divine Aid!
Give Praise to the Hundred Named One! Universally Enlightened!
Who is called Excellent! The Terrible One! AUM!
The Moving and Destroying Cundi! Hail!

The Holy and Infinite Life Illuminating King Dharani

PRECENTOR

The Holy and Infinite Life Illuminating King Dharani!

ALL

AUM! Give Praise to the Unhindered Sovereign! Whose Wisdom Carries to the Other Shore!
Master of the Science of Longevity!
You who have the power to resurrect those who uphold the faith!
You of the Collected Brilliance who is sealed with authority!
Tathagata! Arhat! Completely Enlightened One!
Mystically Contemplating! AUM!
Wrathful Guardian of the Enchanted! Dharma Sovereign and Lord of the Sky and All Below!
The Well Come One!
Sovereign of the Monks and the Great Principle! Guardian of the Ignorant! Hail!

The Teacher of Medicine's Pure Words of Consecration

PRECENTOR

The Pure Words of Consecration of the Teacher of Medicine!

ALL

Give Praise to the World Honored Sovereign! The Healing Bhaisajya!
Guru of the Lapis Lazuli Radiance of Compassion! Tathagata! Arhat!
Completely Enlightened One who is distressed for the sickness of others! AUM!
To the Healing, Healing Sovereign of all the monks. Hail!

The Pure Words to Bring a Response From Kuan Yin

PRECENTOR

Kuan: Yin's Pure Inspired Words!

ALL

AUM! MANI PADME, HUM!
The Great Vehicle that reaches every where!
Distant! Beautiful! Eminent! His Open Hands Reach Everywhere!
Excellent and Eminent! From His slight distance, He investigates those who call out!
Lord of Receiving and Replenishing!
Investing and Selecting the Sweet Dew Water!
Give Praise to the Lord of the Worlds!
And to the Lord who expounded these words, Hail!

The Blame Dispersing Words of the Seven Buddhas

PRECENTOR

The Blame Dispersing Pure Words of the Seven Buddhas!

ALL

Calling, Calling Out!
Revealing, Revealing All!
Making Heartfelt Prayers!
Dissolving, Disappearing Blame!
Vanishing, vanished Blame!
Eminent Virtues Appear, and,
All Blame is Truly Buried and Gone by this Power, Svaha!

The Pure Words that Release Oppression

PRECENTOR

The Pure Words that Release Oppression and Set Free Bonds!

ALL

AUM! Age approaches! The Precious Trust, precious trust, the Sangha's Precious Trust! Death can not cause thee to bind up this Precious Trust! AUM! Strength within strength! Auspicious among good fortune! The Salvation of the Superior Assembly that has this extreme advantage! All Enemies: Leave My Body! This is the Great Wisdom that Carries to the Other Shore!

This Mantra is, in fact, number ELEVEN in this section. It does not appear in the newer texts, but is found in the oldest versions, even though it has clearly been added to them after their original carving. The reasons for its addition are not clear-Editor

The Future Rebirth Mantra

PRECENTOR

The Future Rebirth in the Pure Land Mystical Mantra!

ALL

Give Praise to Amitabha Buddha! Tathagata! He Who Calls Out!
Amitabha Who Benefits! All That Exists!
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!

The Mantra of the Virtuous Goddess

PRECENTOR

The Mantra of the Virtuous Goddess!

ALL

Give Praise to the Buddha!
Give Praise to the Dharma!
Give Praise to the Sangha!
Give Praise to the Beautiful One! The Great Devi!
She who is Completely Fulfilled and Whose Activities can be seen everywhere like mountain peaks!
Who arrives at Great Temples Everywhere and banishes the Great Black Devi!
Protector, the Surpassing Protector, Whose Wishes are Accomplished Everywhere,
Wondrous Guardian and Ancient Destroyer of the Enemies of the Dharma!
Greatly Devoted and Greatly Benevolent One Who Guards Against Those Who Would Violate the Sangha or Monasteries Everywhere by the Use of Her Surpassing Supernatural Powers!

THE GREAT WISDOM OF THE HEART SUTRA
Plainsong/Chant Ancient

PRECENTOR

The Great Wisdom of the Heart Sutra!

ALL

When the Bodhisattva Kuan Yin
Who was practicing Deep Prajnaparamita
Perceived the five skandhas
He saw them to be in their own self-nature Empty
And He Was delivered from all suffering and misery
He said:
Oh Sariputra, Form is emptiness, Emptiness is form.
Form is the same as emptiness, Emptiness is the same as form.
That which is formed is empty, that which is empty has form
So it is also with sensation and thought and activity and consciousness.
Oh Sariputra! All things are empty:
They are not born, They are not annihilated.
They are not impure, They are not pure.
They do not increase, They do not decrease,
Therefore, Oh Sariputra:

In emptiness there is no form, no sensation, no thought, No activity, No consciousness.
No eye, nor nose, nor tongue, Nor body, nor mind.
No form, nor sound, nor color, nor taste, nor touch, nor objects.
No element of hearing. No element of vision, no element of smelling, No element of tasting, no element of touching, No element of consciousness.
There is no knowledge and no ignorance 'til we come to No old age and No death
And no extinction of old age and death.
There is no suffering, No accumulation, no annihilation, No Path
There is no Knowledge, no attainment and no realization.
Because there is no Attainment in the mind of the Bodhisattva who depends on
Prajna Paramita there are no obstacles, And going beyond Distorted views: He is Nirvana!
All Buddhas of the Past, Present and Future depend on Prajna Paramita to attain the
Highest Perfect Enlightenment. Therefore one should know that The Prajna Paramita is the Great Mantra, The Mantra of Great Wisdom, The Highest Mantra, The Unequaled Mantra, The End of All Suffering! True not false! The Mantra is proclaimed in Prajna Paramita: Oh Buddha! Going, Going, Going On, To the Other Shore. Always going on to the Other Shore! Always Becoming Buddha! Hail the Sutra of the Heart of Great Wisdom!
The Great Scripture of Wisdom of the Heart!
The Great Scripture of Wisdom of the Heart!
The Great Scripture of Wisdom of the Heart!

GATHA FOR TRANSFERRING MERIT
Plainsong

PRECENTOR

These offerings

ALL

Now present before you have been offered by the Pure Monks of this Assembly.
We have recited the preceding Sutras and Mantras and Dharanis and these we dedicate to the Three Precious Ones, the Dragons and Heavenly Beings who are the Protectors of this Monastery and the surrounding places, and to the Bodhisattvas of the Saintly Assembly!

Speaking Plainly

We pray that all those on the Three Evil Paths and those in the Eight Conditions in which it is difficult to meet a Buddha or hear His Dharma Be Released from all suffering;
We pray that all beings in the Three Existences receive the Fourfold Blessing;
We pray that the Nations exist in peace and that the arms of the soldiers be melted;
We pray that the weathers be in accord with the seasons and that the people live in happiness;
We pray that the Great Assembly cultivate order and the ability to overcome and advance so that the sudden surpassing of the Ten Stages is not a difficult affair;
We pray that this monastery remains quiet and free from accidents;
We pray that this establishment's faithful almsgivers increase in their reliance in Blessedness and Wisdom.

PRECENTOR

And also to the Precious Form of Amitabha Buddha

ALL

His Thirty-two Marks and Unequaled Light and Virtue!
They are beyond all comparison!
The White Curled One Who Pervades the Five Mystical Mountains!
His Violet-eyed Purity Extends to the Four Seas!
His Inner Illumination has transformed Buddhas beyond number and counting,
And also transformed Bodhisattva Assemblies without number!

The Chanting is now resumed:

His Forty-eight Vows to save All Living Beings Cause the Nine Classes to Attain the Other Shore!
Give Praise to the West! To The Very Highest Paradise! Greatly Merciful, The Source of Great Compassion Amitabha Buddha!

SERPENTINE PROCESSIONAL
ALL

I praise Shakyamuni Buddha

Repeat as required At the end of the Serpentine Processional the Ch'ing is struck and all stop and give WEN-HSUN bows to the center of the room and then to the Altar before returning to their places.

Now the Chanting is again resumed

Give Praise to the Calamity Dispersing Life Prolonging Medicine Teaching Buddha
Give Praise to the Pervading Light and Perfect Activity Bodhisattva, P'u Hsien!
Give Praise to the Great Wisdom Bodhisattva Who also stands With Shakyamuni, Wen Shu Shih!
Give Praise to the Pure Clear Great Ocean Assembly of Bodhisattvas!

Repeat the above four praises three times each

The Ten Reflections

ALL

First, we completely worshipped the Myriad Buddhas!
Second, we gave homage to the Tathagata!
Third, we extensively cultivated nourishing offerings!
Fourth, we confessed and repented our karmic obstructions!
Fifth, we thereupon received the joy of these merits!
Sixth, we request the turning of the Dharma Wheel!
Seventh, we entreat the Buddha to abide in this world!
Eighth, we will continually follow the teachings of the Buddha!
Ninth, we will continue to be in accord with all living beings!
Tenth, we completely transferred the merit from these activities throughout the entire Universe!

In the Ten Directions and Three Realms, All Buddhas, All Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas Proclaim the Great Wisdom that Carries to the Other Shore!

As the Assembly kneels, the Abbot (or Senior Monk present unless another has been appointed to perform this portion) now comes forward and takes the Dharma Seat (or he may merely unfold his kneeling cloth and in this case kneels facing the Altar after offering incense). Then in compliance with Hung Shan's Ancient Buddha Chou Ta, the Master begins the following recitations with the Assembly silently reading and reflecting with him.

HONORING THE HUA-YEN WRITING
ABBOT

Examine the Hua-Yen and its true portrait of the Immaterial Nature of the Dharmakaya. It sows the seeds of the Glorious Kingdom that shines everywhere. Likewise, it honoree P'u Hsien whose myriad actions are splendid and imposing. It is a Complete True Dharma Treasury, and is the same as that cited in the Palace of the Dragon King. These are the subtle words of explanation gathered by Shih Ch'a of Khotien, the One Vehicle Complete and Immediate Incomparable Dharma Gate to becoming Buddha by beholding the Buddha Nature within oneself! This is the True Secret Doctrine:

In the presence of knowledge, bow!
With the eyes, contemplate all things as being mind!
With the mouth, recite!

Due to this Great Cause, and the cooperating causes that exist from former lives, we can see and hear the Buddha; we can rejoice in the welfare of others; and we can send forth the Bodhi-Wisdom, until, in the end, we obtain Complete Perfect Omniscience!
Give praise to Vairocana Buddha's Honored Compassion! Expound this Precious Gatha with its Golden Writing! Spread its esteemed favor from its Jade Roller! The world's earthly confusion causes us to enter the monastic life, wherein we discover the perfect harmony of all differences! The One Vehicle Complete Doctrine: The Great Vehicle Hua-Yen Sutra!.

If a person desires complete knowledge, all the Buddhas of the Three Periods answer:
"Look into the Unchanging Dharma Realm, created by the All Unchanging Mind and vow to make nourishing offerings constantly while maintaining awe and reverence for the Seven Places and Nine Assemblies at which this Sutra was revealed by the Buddha and the Bodhisattvas. Make perpetual vows to experience this Unceasingly Proclaimed Buddha Truth: The Five Areas of Karma, Four Mental Phenomena Hua-Yen Sutra! Constantly vow and make nourishing offerings without ceasing to the Ninety Lands Bodhisattva Assembly! Make these vows also to the Four Favors and Three Existences and the Complete Dharma Realm of All Living Beings!
Thus, we should make perpetual vows to enter into this constantly proclaimed Buddha Truth! The Great Vehicle of the Buddha, the Hua-Yen Sutra!

ALL

Humbly, I  your name vow that in Birth after Birth, in Age after Age and in Place after Place:
My eye shall constantly look within, for thus the Sutra teaches;
My ear shall constantly hear within; for thus the Sutra teaches;
My mouth shall constantly speak within, for thus the Sutra teaches;
My hand shall constantly write within, for thus the Sutra teaches;
My mind shall constantly awaken within, for thus the Sutra teaches.

ABBOT

We have vowed that in Life after Life, in Age after Age, in Moment after Moment, and in Place after Place, we will constantly become closer to this Lotus Treasury of all the Saints and Sages. Indeed, those who constantly bear this Lotus Treasury will surely receive the Compassion and Mercy of all the Saints and Sages. In such a manner was this Sutra expounded that we have vowed to examine it thoroughly and so attain Enlightenment. We can also vow this in the same way as did the skilled and rich Bodhisattva Shan Ts'ai, we will vow this in the same way as did Wen Shu Bodhisattva, we will vow this in the same way as did Kuan Shih Yin Bodhisattva, we will vow this in the same way as did Vairocana Buddha. It is because of this that we call the Sutra meritorious, indeed, it is be cause of this that our own taking of these vows is also meritorious!

ALL

I vow to the Four Favors in the Three Existences and to the Dharma Realm of All Living Beings to disperse, from the time without beginning or ending, in the All Empty Dharma Realm and the visible vault of space, unlimited and immeasurable moral defilements.

I vow to the Four Favors in the Three Existences and to the Dharma Realm of All Living Beings to release, from the time without beginning or ending, in the All Empty Dharma Realm and the visible vault of space, immeasurable oppressions caused by karma.

I vow to the Four Favors in the Three Existences and to the Dharma Realm of All Living Beings to assemble, from the time without beginning or ending, in the All Empty Dharma Realm and the visible vault of space, immeasurable Blessedness and Wisdom.

I vow to do these things so that all shall together be able to wander the Pure Land with the Gloriously Adorned Ocean Assembly, and thus, All will enter Bodhi's Great Place of Enlightenment.

PRECENTOR

Give Praise

ALL

to the Great Vehicle of the Buddha's Flower Garland Sutra and to the Gloriously Adorned Assembly of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas!
Give Praise to the Great Vehicle of the Buddha's Flower Garland Sutra and to the Gloriously Adorned Assembly of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas!
Give Praise to the Great Vehicle of the Buddha's Flower Garland Sutra and to the Gloriously Adorned Assembly of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas!

Or the following may be read, or both (or those with the authority to teach the Dharma may substitute their own explanation at this point)

HONORING THE BUDDHAS ORIGINAL VOW
As composed by Ch'an Master Yi Shan

ABBOT

We entrust our lives to the Ten Directions Tamer of the Passions of Men!
He practiced and made evident His Pure Clear Mysterious Dharma with its Three Vehicles and Four Rewards of Emancipation to the Assemblies of His monks, and He vowed to bestow His Compassion, Mercy and Pity on all those that are thus gathered together.

ALL

I, disciple your name have avoided my true nature, wrongly entering and spreading delusion. From this has come birth and death's continual whirl of coming into being and then perishing. I have been driven on by forms and sounds, and I have been sick with desire. The Ten Bonds and Ten Passions have accumulated from this, and these in turn have caused the Six Sense Organs and the Six Qualities to erroneously arise. My faults are without limit and I was deluded and lost in the Ocean of Misery, deeply sunk in heterodox methods. Being attached to the Ego and addicted to worldly pleasures, I also gathered up accumulations of karmic obstacles.

When I became completely filled with doubts, I looked into the Heart of the Three Precious Ones and therefore I was able, because of their Compassion and Mercy, to Confess and Repent with my whole heart.

ABBOT

It is by the power of this Vow that the Capable and Virtuous are pulled up from their roots, and friends of virtue also lift them up and lead them by the hand until, beyond trouble and suffering's deep abyss, they thus arrive at the Other Shore. Thus, from this earthly foundation that was built on the throne of this life, every resolve because completed and the future rebirth Wisdom Seeds energetically sprout .
It is rare that this flowering increases, rare that one is born in a place where one can hope for the ability to meet with an Enlightened Master who helps one to develop a correct resolve to abandon the worldly life and enter the path of the pure and simple monk or nun. Then the Six Roots will penetrate the Truth and the Three Karmas become Pure and Harmonious. Then, uninfected by worldly causes, one can constantly cultivate Pure Living. By holding firmly to the Precepts, worldly karma can not encroach upon you and you can strictly guard your sense of decorum so that you will not even destroy flying mosquitoes, thus, you will not fall into the Eight Conditions in which it is difficult to see a Buddha or hear His Dharma, nor will you be deficient in the Four Cooperating Causes.
Wisdom and understanding are now presently before us and the Bodhi Wisdom Mind thus does not retreat as we cultivate the Right Dharma and the Complete Enlightenment of the Great Vehicle which unfolds the Six Paramita that carry us beyond the Sea of Mortality, and arriving by the Activity Gate, step over the Ocean of Rebirths to Nirvana. Setting up the Dharma Flag in place after place and breaking the web of doubt again and again, subjugating all illusions and demons and perpetuating the Three Treasures are the duties entrusted to the Myriad Buddhas of the Ten Directions who do not tire in body nor in spirit. It is because of this that He could cultivate and attain the Complete Dharma Gate and thoroughly investigate and penetrate this vast arising of Blessedness and Wisdom that give Universal Benefits in as many ways are there are numbers of sand and dust. In doing this He thereby attained the Six Transcendental Powers and perfected His whole life and arrived at the Buddha Fruit that leaves illnesses behind.
He has not forsaken the Dharma Realm! Everywhere He enters into the troubles of the Universe, and in this He is not different than the Compassionate Mind of Kuan Yin or the Universal Activity of P'u Hsien's Ocean-like Vow. While other beings of this universe expel beings due to their forms, His responsive manifestations in physical forms expound and display the Mysterious Dharma without discrimination.
Thus He said:

"If those who will be born in the Joyless Hells, or Those who wander in the Path of Hungry Ghosts see my Great Illumination or from my manifesting the many kinds of Supernatural Powers that are visible to the Ego will call out My Name, I will always lift them up from the Wheel of Transmigration and Bitterness, or from the Fiery Caldrons and Icy Rivers of Earth, and take them to the Groves of Growing Incense. In the same way, I will transform the Drinking of Copper and the Eating of Iron into Birth in the Pure Land."

When we are given His Divine Blessing and Joy, the terrible weight of the heavy burden of debts is relinquished, hatreds are ended and disappointments are ceased. In this age of sickness and pestilence, He causes the appearance of medicinal herbs that save and heal us from our chronic diseases. In times of hunger and famine, He causes transformations so that there are growing rice and millet that can be eaten by the many kinds of poor and hungry. It is only by His Blessing that there is prosperity or honor and in inferior times when the world accumulates enmity and friendship He appears for the sake of the survival of His descendants and those that put forth the Four Forms of Birth and those that are floating and sinking in Birth and Death. He helps them to forsake Ten Thousand Eons of the bonds that are created by desires, which are the same as clinging to life, and He exemplifies the Complete and Perfect Buddha Way.

This concludes the Dharma Lessons and Explanations. The Abbot, or whoever gave the Explanation makes the appropriate bows and, folding up his kneeling cloth, returns to his place in the Assembly while the Recitation continues.

ALL

As the Immaterial Universe is infinite, so also are my vows infinite:
That my passions become without passion and so that together all living beings can embrace Omniscience.
In the Ten Directions and Three Realms, All Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas proclaim: The Great Wisdom that Carries to the Other Shore!

PRECENTOR

Let us return again and again to the Surpassing Activity of P'u Hsien!

ALL

His Unlimited and Victorious Blessedness! All of which is given for the sake of Others, as is His Universal Vow on behalf of those that sink and drown in myriad Rebirths. Even though He was quickly proceeding toward the Unlimited Illuminating Buddha Land, He stopped, thus giving rise to a Superior Cause that is not different that those of the Buddhas of the Past, Present and Future.

Praise to Wen Shu Shih, P'u Hsien, Kuan Shih Yin and the Myriad Venerable Bodhisattvas who proclaim the Great Wisdom That Carries to the Other Shore!

PRECENTOR

The Four Forms of Birth and the Nine Existences

ALL

Mutually Advance the Lotus Treasury's Mysterious Dharma Gate so that those in the Eight Conditions in which it is difficult to see a Buddha or hear His Dharma or those on the Three Evil Paths can together Enter the All Containing Ocean of Vairocana.

ALL NOW RISE

THE THREE REFUGES
ALL

I commit myself to the Buddha and pray that all living beings
All Slowly begin a full prostration
Expound with their bodies the Great Way Sending forth the Unsurpassed Mind
All rise before the beginning of the next refuge

I commit myself to the Dharma
All Slowly begin a second full prostration
and pray that all living beings Enter the Profound Sutra Treasury of Knowledge and Wisdom as broad and the Ocean
All rise before the beginning of the next refuge

I commit myself to the Sangha
All Slowly begin the final full prostration
and pray that all living beings respond in unison as a Great Assembly that is Wholly Unhindered in Giving Homage to the Sacred Assembly
All rise completely and then perform the WEN-HSUN bow

Notes on the Hua-Yen Sutra from Yun-Ch'i's ancient source show that all are to recite these refuges as this is the ancient practice and it allows us to turn to a, , nd rely on this Expounding of the Great Way to send forth the Unsurpassed Mind that flows without interruption. However, this same source says that those who are "thoroughly acquainted" with the Dharma need not recite the above refuges and only join in for the following recitation.

ALL

Give Praise to the One True Dharma Realm! Deep! Silent! Perfect! Absolute in the Relative! Upright and Poor in the Past, Present and Future! Across the Ten Directions, the Pure Clear Dharmakaya of Vairocana Buddha!
Give Praise to the Lotus Treasury Realm! Seat of the Great Lotus! Helping Us To Obtain the Four Types of Fearlessness and Wonderful Merit! Gloriously Adorned! The Completely Perfect Reward Body of Vairocana Buddha!
Give Praise to the Earth Bearer! The Three Realms Surpassing Teacher who Pities those born of the Four Forms! The King of Men and Devas who is seated on the Thousand Petalled Lotus Throne In Worlds Beyond Number, Shakyamuni Buddha!

HYMN OF PRAISE
On the first and fifteenth day or those other auspicious day as directed by the Abbot or the liturgical calendar, the Assembly begins the Hymn with the following invocation:

The Supreme Seal Is Permanently Fixed The Sovereign Path is far from Worldly Glories The Buddha Sun Increases in Brightness As the Wheel of the Law Constantly Turns!

Then the Duty Distributing Monk takes up the small wooden fish to his breast so that he can keep time and all assembled stand with their hands in the position of salutation and give three bows before turning to face the East and beginning the first verse. After each verse is sung, all turn to the West and repeat the same verse, repeating the pattern for all four verses.

ALL - FACING EAST
(I give praise to the Original Teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha)

NA MYO PEN SHIH SHI CHI MU NI FU

ALL - FACING WEST
(I give praise to the Original Teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha)

NA MYO PEN SHIH SHI CHI MU NI FU

ALL - FACING EAST
(I give praise to Manjusri Bodhisattva)

NA MYO WEN SHU SHIH LI P'U SA

ALL - FACING WEST
(I give praise to Manjusri Bodhisattva)

NA MYO WEN SHU SHIH LI P'U SA

ALL - FACING EAST
(I give praise to Samantabhadra Bodhisattva)

NA MYO P'U HSIEN P'U SA

ALL - FACING WEST
(I give praise to Samantabhadra Bodhisattva)

NA MYO P'U HSIEN P'U SA

ALL - FACING EAST
(I give praise to Ten Directions Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas)

NA MYO SHIH FANG P'U SA MA HA SA

ALL - FACING WEST
(I give praise to Ten Directions Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas)

NA MYO SHIH FANG P'U SA MA HA SA

Now all turn to face the Altar and perform WEN-HSUN Bow

HONOR TO WEI TO
ALL

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!

On the first and fifteenth the following is also added:

ALL

Give Praise to the Protector of the Dharma Wei T'o, the Honored Heavenly Bodhisattva!
Give Praise to the Protector of the Dharma Wei T'o, the Honored Heavenly Bodhisattva!
Give Praise to the Protector of the Dharma Wei T'o, the Honored Heavenly Bodhisattva!

Now the everyday text continues:

Give Praise to the Buddha!
Give Praise to the Dharma!
Give Praise to the Sangha!
Give Praise to the Beautiful One! The Great Devi!
She who is completely fulfilled and whose activities can be seen everywhere like mountain peaks! Who arrives at Great Temples everywhere and banishes the Great Black Devi! Protector, the surpassing protector whose wishes are accomplished everywhere!. Wondrous Guardian and Ancient Destroyer of the Enemies of the Dharma! Greatly Devoted and Greatly Benevolent One Who Guards Against those who would violate the Sangha or Monasteries everywhere by the use of Her Surpassing Supernatural Powers:

The above praises are repeated three times

Praising Wei T'o

This is done daily

Now, if an image of Wei T'o is present, all turn toward it and say:
If there is no Wei T'o image, the Eastern and Western Ranks turn to face each other at this time)

ALL

Give Praise to Wei T'o, the Heavenly Commander! The Transformation Bodied Bodhisattva that is the Great and Profound Protector and Defender of our Religious Vows: the Precious Hammer that holds back the Armies of Mara! His merits are difficult to equal and He aids the people in their devotion and prayers!

Give Praise to the Universally Seeing Bodhisattva-Mahasattva and to His Great Wisdom that Carries to the Other Shore!

The Three Prostrations

Now all turn to face the Altar and with the rhythm of the Hand Ch'ing begin three full prostrations. The prostrations are followed by the WEN-HSUN bow.

The Eastern and Western Ranks now turn to face each other, before raising their hands to the 'position of salutation' at the chest. Then the hands are gracefully lowered to the sides. The participants quietly and decorously file out of the hall. However of the first and fifteenth day, the following is substituted

The Precentor strikes the Great Ch'ing three times before the assembly prostrates itself with him and recites:

ALL

I prostrate myself with my head at the feet of the Western Heavens, Eastern Lands Teacher of the Successive Generations of Patriarchs!
Rise up and bow again
I prostrate myself with my head at the feet of this World's Vast Sect that expounds the many kinds of practices to 'Good and Learned Friends'!
Rise up and bow again
I prostrate myself with my head at the feet of everyone whose altar offering adheres to the precepts and to the ten teachers who continue to shave, save and favor us with their teaching!
All rise and stand as the Precentor concludes the service.

PRECENTOR

Today is the Buddhist Date Inserted here and certainly a pleasant day to gather together and universally worship those who have received our three bows!

All now give three bows and then a final WEN-HSUN bow before filing out of the Great Shrine Hall.