Meditation & Services

 We meet on video only. Join us Wednesday evenings @ 7:00PM EDT:
Click here - Zoom Video

Chant Sheet Download

Pali Reuge Chant

Buddham Saranam Gacchami
Dhammam Saranam Gacchami
Sangham Saranam Gacchami

I go for refuge in the Buddha
I go for refuge in the Dharma
I go for refuge in the Sangha

Buddham Saranam Gacchami
Dhammam Saranam Gacchami
Sangham Saranam Gacchami

Gatha on Opening the Sutras

This Dharma
incomparably profound and minutely subtle.
Is rarely encountered even in hundreds of thousands of millions of ages.
Now we see it, hear it, hold, and maintain it.
May we completely realize
The True Mind of all Buddhas

The Maha Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra

Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva,
when practicing deeply the Prajna Paramita,
perceives that all five skandhas are empty
and is saved from all suffering and distress.
Shariputra,
form does not differ from emptiness,
emptiness does not differ from form.
That which is form is emptiness,
that which is emptiness, form.
The same is true of feelings,
perceptions, impulses, consciousness.
Shariputra,
all dharmas are marked with emptiness;
they do not appear or disappear,
are not tainted or pure,
do not increase or decrease.
Therefore, in emptiness no form, 
no feelings, perceptions, impulses, consciousness.
No eyes, no ears, no nose, no tongue, no body, no mind; no color, no sound, no smell, no taste, no touch,
no object of mind; no realm of eyes, and so forth until
no realm of mind consciousness.
No ignorance and also no extinction of it,
and so forth until no old age and death
and also no extinction of them.
No suffering, no origination,
no stopping, no path, no cognition,
also no attainment
with nothing to attain,
The Bodhisattva depends on Prajna Paramita
and the mind is no hindrance;
without any hindrance, no fears exist.
Far apart from every perverted view, 
one dwells in Nirvana.
In the three worlds all Buddhas depend on
Prajna Paramita and attain
Anuttara Samyak Sambodhi.
Therefore, know that Prajna Paramita
is the great transcendent mantra,
is the great bright mantra,
is the utmost mantra,
is the supreme mantra,
which is able to relieve all suffering
and is true, not false.
So proclaim the Prajna Paramita mantra,
proclaim the mantra which says:
Gate, gate, paragate, parasamgate, bodhi  svaha
Gate, gate, paragate, parasamgate, bodhi  svaha
Gate, gate, paragate, parasamgate, bodhi  svaha.

Dedication of Merit

[Bell: Increasing from slow to fast, then two solid strikes] [Bow]
Leader:

All sentient beings are one seamless body and pass quickly from birth to death.
We remember those who cared for us and are gone.
Those who are ill, those who are at war, who are hungry and who are in pain-- may they heal and have peace.
We especially dedicate our service to: [Bell]

(Each name preceded by bell)

All beings in the 10 directions, subject to the greed, hatred and delusions of themselves and others.

[Bell: Increasing from slow to fast, then two solid strikes]

All Buddhas throughout space and time All honored ones, bodhisattva-mahasattvas Wisdom beyond wisdom
Maha Prajna Paramita

[Bow]

Faith in Practice Vow

(Bell rings three times, then all together)

I will never retreat and will be firm in my mind in this correct Dharma.
I will escape from the samsaric cycle of birth and death
and definitely will see my original face.
I will be sure to inherit the life of insight of the Buddha and save all sentient beings.

Giving Thanks

(Bell rings three times, then all together)

The spiritual source shines clearly in the light.
The branching streams flow on in the dark.
Infinite realms of light and dark convey the Buddha Mind.
Birds and trees and stars and we ourselves come forth in perfect harmony.
We practice and recite this for all beings
In grateful thanks to our many guides along the Way.  

The Four Great Bodhisattva Vows

(Bell rings three times, then all together.)
Sentient beings are numberless;
we vow to help them all.
Delusions are countless;
we vow to see through them all.
Opportunities to awaken are infinite;
we vow to embrace them all.
The Buddha Way is endless;
we vow to embody it.

The Great Admonition

[Bell rings three times, then teacher recites]
Life and death are of supreme importance.
Time passes swiftly by and opportunities to awaken are easily lost. Strive to realize your true nature.
Do not squander your time by night or day.

Click below to listen to the Heart Sutra chant: