Arcata Zen Group Forest Heart Temple...2020/06/03 · 1 SHORT VERSES Robe Verse Now we open...
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Arcata Zen Group Forest Heart Temple Rinshin-ji Texts for Daily Services
Transcript of Arcata Zen Group Forest Heart Temple...2020/06/03 · 1 SHORT VERSES Robe Verse Now we open...
ArcataZenGroup
ForestHeartTemple
Rinshin-ji
TextsforDailyServices
TableofContentsSHORTVERSES...............................................................................................................................1RobeVerse.......................................................................................................................................1RepentanceVerse..........................................................................................................................1ThreeRefugesinPali...................................................................................................................1ThreeRefugesinEnglish...........................................................................................................1Afterthededicationofmerit....................................................................................................1OpeningtheTeachingVerse.....................................................................................................2FourUniversalVows....................................................................................................................2EnmeiJukkuKannonGyō..........................................................................................................2HymntoPrajñaParamita..........................................................................................................2ShosaiMyoKichijoDharani......................................................................................................3LONGVERSES.................................................................................................................................4BodhisattvaCeremony(informalpreceptsrenewal)....................................................4Buddha’sParinirvanaBriefAdmonitionsSutra...............................................................6EiheiKosoHotsuganmon...........................................................................................................9Fukanzazengi...............................................................................................................................10GenjōKōan....................................................................................................................................13GreatWisdomBeyondWisdomHeartSutra..................................................................16IdentityofRelativeandAbsolute........................................................................................17JijuyuZammai..............................................................................................................................18LotusSutra’sLifeSpanoftheTathagata..........................................................................20TheLotusSutra’sBodhisattvaNeverDisparaging......................................................22MakaHannyaHaramittaShinGyo......................................................................................24Maylie’sPrayerforPeace........................................................................................................25MettaSutta....................................................................................................................................26SettinginMotiontheWheelofDhammaSutta.............................................................27SongoftheGrassHut...............................................................................................................29SongoftheJewelMirrorSamadhi......................................................................................30SongoftheTrustingMind......................................................................................................32SongofZazen...............................................................................................................................33SPECIALCEREMONIES............................................................................................................34DaihiShinDharani.....................................................................................................................34NamesoftheWomenAncestors..........................................................................................35NamesoftheBuddhasandAncestors...............................................................................36FormalFullMoonCeremony.................................................................................................37
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SHORT VERSES
RobeVerse
NowweopenBuddha’srobe,afieldfarbeyondformandemptiness,theTathagata’steachingforallbeingsDaizaigedapuku,Musofukudene,Hibunyoraikyo,Kodoshoshujo NowweopenBuddha’srobe,afieldfarbeyondformandemptiness,theTathagata’steachingforallbeings.
RepentanceVerse
Allmyancient,twistedkarma,frombeginning-lessgreed,hateanddelusion,bornthroughbody,speechandmind,Inowfullyavow.
ThreeRefugesinPali
BuddhamsaranamgacchāmiDhammamsaranamgacchāmiSanghamsaranamgacchāmiDutiyampibuddhamsaranamgacchāmiDutiyampidhammamsaranamgacchāmiDutiyampisanghamsaranamgacchāmiTatiyampibuddhamsaranamgacchāmiTatiyampidhammamsaranamgacchāmiTatiyampisanghamsaranamgacchāmi
ThreeRefugesinEnglish
ItakerefugeinBuddha,ItakerefugeinDharma,ItakerefugeinSangha.ItakerefugeinBuddhaastheperfectteacher,ItakerefugeinDharmaastheperfectteaching,ItakerefugeinSanghaastheperfectlife.NowIhavecompletelytakenrefugeinBuddha,NowIhavecompletelytakenrefugeinDharma,NowIhavecompletelytakenrefugeinSangha.AfterthededicationofmeritAllBuddhastendirectionsthreetimes, Allbeings,BodhisattvaMahasattvas, Wisdombeyondwisdom,MahaPrajñaParamita
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OpeningtheTeachingVerse
Anunsurpassed,penetratingandperfectDharmaisrarelymetwith,eveninahundredthousandmillionkalpas.Havingittoseeandlistento;torememberandaccept;IvowtotastethetruthoftheTathāgata’swords.
FourUniversalVows
Beingsarenumberless;Ivowtoawakenwiththem.Delusionsareinexhaustible;Ivowtoendthem.Dharmagatesareboundless;Ivowtoenterthem.Buddha’sWayisunsurpassable;Ivowtobecomeit.
EnmeiJukkuKannonGyō(Life-ExtendingTen-PhraseAvalokiteshvaraSūtra)
Kanzeon,namubutsu,
yobutsuuin,yobutsuuen,
bupposoen,jorakugajo,
chonenkanzeon,bonenkanzeon,
nennenjushinki,nennenfurishin
HymntoPrajñaParamita
HomagetothePerfectionofWisdom,thelovely,theholy.ThePerfectionofWisdomgiveslight.Unstained,theentireworldcannotstainher.Sheisasourceoflightandfromeveryoneinthetripleworldsheremovesdarkness.Mostexcellentareherworks.Shebringslightsothatallfearanddistressmaybeforsaken,anddispersesthegloomanddarknessofdelusion.Sheherselfisanorganofvision.Shehasaclearknowledgeoftheown-beingofalldharmas,forshedoesnotstrayawayfromit.ThePerfectionofWisdomoftheBuddhassetsinmotionthewheelofDharma.
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ShosaiMyoKichijoDharani (WondrousandAuspiciousDharaniforRemovingHindrance)
Nomosanmandamotonanoharachikotoshasononan
tojitoengyagyagyakigyakiunnun
shifurashifuraharashifuraharashifura
chishusachishusachishurichishuri
sohajasohajasenchigyashiriei,somoko
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LONG VERSES
BodhisattvaCeremony(informalpreceptsrenewal)
Callandresponse:FormlessrepentanceAllmyancienttwistedkarmaFrombeginning-lessgreed,hateanddelusionBornthroughbody,speechandmindInowfullyavow.Callandresponse:HomagesHomagetothesevenBuddhasbeforeBuddhaHomagetoShakyamuniBuddhaHomagetoMaitreyaBuddhaHomagetoManjushriBodhisattvaHomagetoSamantabhadraBodhisattvaHomagetoAvalokiteshvaraBodhisattvaHomagetothesuccessionofAncestorsInunison:VowsBeingsarenumberless;IvowtoawakenwiththemDelusionsareinexhaustible;IvowtoendthemDharmagatesareboundless;IvowtoenterthemBuddha’swayisunsurpassable;Ivowtobecomeit.Callandresponse:RefugesItakerefugeinBuddha/ItakerefugeinDharma/ItakerefugeinSangha.ItakerefugeinBuddhaastheperfectteacher/ItakerefugeinDharmaastheperfectteaching/ItakerefugeinSanghaastheperfectlife.NowIhavecompletelytakenrefugeinBudddha/NowIhavecompletelytakenrefugeinDharma/NowIhavecompletelytakenrefugeinSangha.Callandresponse:3purepreceptsIvowtorefrainfromallevilIvowtomakeeveryefforttoliveinenlightenmentIvowtoliveandbelivedforthebenefitofallbeingsCallandresponse:ClearMindPreceptsIvownottokillandtocherishlifeIvownottostealandtohonorthegiftnotyetgiven
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IvownottomisusesexualityandtoremaintrustworthyinrelationshipsIvownottolieandtocommunicatetruthIvownottointoxicateselforothersandtopolishclarityIvownottospeakofothers’faultsandtocreatewisdomfromignoranceIvownottopraiseselfattheexpenseofothersandtomaintainmodestyIvownottobepossessiveofanythingandtopracticegenerosityIvownottoharborillwillandtodwellinequanimityIvownottodisparagetheThreeTreasures–torespecttheBuddha,unfoldtheDharmaandnourishtheSanghaKokyoCHANTS:DedicationThusonthisfullmoonnight(oronthisdate,orwaxing/waningmoon)weofferthemeritoftheBodhisattvaWaythrougheveryworldsystemtotheunbornnatureofallbeing. DoshiandKokyoandAssemblychantinunison:AllBuddhastendirectionsthreetimesAllbeingsBodhisattvaMahasattvasWisdombeyondwisdom(Arisefromkneeling,preparingforbows)MahaPrajñaParamita3fullbowswithbellsNormalclosingbowsandexitbells
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Buddha’sParinirvanaBriefAdmonitionsSutra
WhenShakyamuniBuddhafirstturnedtheWheelofDharma,heliberatedtheVenerableAjñata-Kaundinya.TheverylasttimehespoketheDharma,heliberatedtheVenerableSubhadhra.Allofthosewhoweretobeliberatedhadalreadybeenliberated.HelaybetweenthetwinSalatreesandwasabouttoenterNirvana.Atthistime,inthemiddleofthenight,allwasquiet,withoutanysound.Then,forthesakeofallofhisdisciples,hespokeontheessentialsoftheDharma:Allofyoumonks!AftermyNirvana,youshouldrevereandhonortheprecepts,thestandardsofconduct.Thisislikefindingalightinthedarkness,orlikeapoorpersonobtainingatreasure.Youshouldknowthattheyareyourgreatteacher,andarenotdifferentfrommyactualpresenceintheworld...Allofyoumonks!Youshouldknowthatpeoplewithmanydesiressuffermuch,becausetheyconstantlyseekfortheirownbenefit.Peoplewhohavefewdesires,whoarefreefromseekingandlonging,don’thavemuchtrouble.Straightawayreduceyourdesiresandpracticeappropriately.Foronewhohasfewdesires,meritincreases.Peoplewhohavefewdesiresdonotflatterinordertogetwhattheywant.Moreovertheyarenotdraggedalongbytheirsenseorgans.Peoplewhohavefewdesireshaveamindwhichispeaceful,withoutworryorfear.Whateversituationsarise,theyarealwayssatisfiedandneverdiscontent.OnewhoreduceshisdesirescanrealizeNirvana.Thisismyteachingonhavingfewdesires.Allofyoumonks!Ifyouwishtobefreefromallsufferinganddifficulty,youshouldknowcontentment.Thedharmaofcontentmentistheplaceofblessings,happiness,andpeace.Peoplewhoarecontent,althoughtheymightsleeponthegroundarepeacefulandhappy.Thosewhoarenotcontent,althoughtheymightabideintheheavens,arestilldissatisfied.Thosewhoarenotcontent,eveniftheyarewealthy,aretrulypoor.Thosewhoarecontent,althoughtheymightbepoor,aretrulyrich.Thosewhoarediscontentarealwaysdraggedalongbytheirfivesenseorgans,andarepitiedbythosewhoarecontent.Thisismyteachingoncontentment.Allofyoumonks!Ifyouseekquietude,unconditionedpeace,andhappiness,youshouldbeapartfromconfusionanddisturbances,anddwellaloneinserenity.TheheavenlyrulerShakraandallcelestialbeingsreverepeoplewhodwellinquietude.Forthisreason,castawayattachmenttoyourselfandothers,dwellaloneinserenity,andcontemplatethecessationoftherootofsuffering.Ifyoudelightincrowds,youwillundergomuchaffliction.Itislikewhenaflockofbirdsgathersinagreattree,thetreeisindangerofcollapsing.Onewhoisboundtoworldlyaffairsdrownsinamultitudeofsuffering,likean
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oldelephantsunkinmud,whichisunabletogetout.Thisismyteachingonserenity.Allofyoumonks!Ifyouarediligent,nothingwillbedifficultforyou;forthisreasonallofyoushouldbediligent.Itislikeasmallstreamflowingforalongtime,whichisabletoborethroughstone.If,ontheotherhand,themindofonewhopracticesfrequentlybecomeslax,itisliketryingtomakeafirebyfrictionbutrestingbeforethereisanyheat;thoughyouwanttomakeafire,thefireishardtoproduce.Thisismyteachingondiligence.Allofyoumonks!Ifyouareseekingforagoodandwiseadvisor,orforawholesomebenefactor,nothingcompareswithmindfulness.Ifyoudonotneglectmindfulness,noneofthe‘thievesoftheafflictions’canenteryourmind.Forthisreason,allofyouconstantlysustainmindfulness.Ifyoulosemindfulnessyouwillloseallmerit.Ifyourpowerofmindfulnessisfirmandstrong,thoughyouminglewiththethievesofthefivedesires,theycannotharmyou.Itislikejoiningabattlewearingarmor;thusyouhavenothingtofear.Thisismyteachingonmindfulness.Allofyoumonks!Ifyoucollectyourmind,yourmindwillbeconcentrated.Ifyourmindisconcentrated,youcanknowthearisingandceasingofallphenomenalappearances.Forthisreason,allofyoushouldconstantlyanddiligentlypracticeconcentration.Ifyouattainconcentrationyourmindwillnotbescattered.Itislikeahouseholdthatusesitswatersparinglyandisabletoregulateitsirrigationditches.Onewhopracticesconcentrationisalsothesame;forthesakeofthewaterofwisdomhepracticesmeditativeconcentration,soitdoesn’tleakaway.Thisismyteachingonconcentration.Allofyoumonks!Ifyouhavewisdom,youwillbefreefromgreedandattachment.Alwaysexamineyourselves,anddonotallowfaultstoarise;thiswayyoucangainliberationwithinmyDharma.Ifyouneverexamineyourself,Idon’tknowwhattocallyou,foryouneitherareamonasticpractitionerofthewaynoralayperson.Onewithwisdomridesinasecureboatforcrossingovertheoceanofoldage,sickness,anddeath.Wisdomisalsolikeabrightlampinthedarknessofignorance,agoodmedicineforthosewhoaresick,andasharpaxforcuttingdownthetreeofafflictions.Forthisreasonallofyoushouldincreasinglybenefityourselvesbyhearing,contemplating,andcultivatingwisdom.Eventhoughapersononlyhasphysicaleyes,ifhehasilluminatinginsight,hehasclearunderstanding.Thisismyteachingonwisdom.Allofyoumonks!Ifyouindulgeinallsortsofidlediscussions,yourmindwillbescattered,andeventhoughyouhaveleftthehome-life,youwillnotattainliberation.Forthisreason,monks,youshouldquicklyrenouncescatteredthoughtsandidlediscussions.Ifyouwanttoattainthehappinessofstill
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tranquility,youonlyneedtoeliminatetheerroroffrivolousdebate.Thisismyteachingonnothavingidlediscussions.Allofyoumonks!...TheWorld-HonoredOnehasnowfinishedhiscompassionateteachingforyourbenefit.Allofyouneedonlytopracticeitdiligently.Whetheryouareinthemountains,inadesolatemarsh,beneathatree,orinaquietdwelling,bemindfuloftheDharmayouhavereceivedanddonotforgetit.Youshouldalwaysexertyourselfandpracticeitvigorously.Don’twaituntilyoureachthetimeofdeathandbefilledwithremorsebecauseyouspentyourlifeinvain.Iamlikeagooddoctorwhounderstandsillnessandprescribesmedicine.Whetheryoutakeitornotisnotthedoctor’sresponsibility.MoreoverIamlikeavirtuousguidewhopointsoutagoodroad.Ifonedoesnottakethatroad,itisnottheguide’sfault...Allofyoumonks!...Fromnowonallofmydisciplesmustcontinuouslypractice.ThentheTathagata’sDharmabodywillalwaysbeenduringandindestructible.Youshouldknow,therefore,thateverythingintheworldisimpermanent.Meetingsnecessarilyhaveseparations,sodonotharborgrief.Everyappearanceintheworldislikethis;bediligent,seekliberationrightaway!Destroythedarknessofdelusionwiththebrightnessofwisdom.Theworldistrulydangerous,unstable,andnotreliable.Birthanddeathhaveceasedforme,asifachronicillnesshasbeencuredatlast.Thismalignfalselynamedobject,calledthebody,drownsintheoceanofbirth,oldage,sickness,anddeath.Letthisbodygo!Howcanonewhoiswisenotbehappywhenheletsgoofit,likebanishingatroublesomethief?Allofyoumonks!Youshouldalwayssingle-mindedlyanddiligentlyseekthewayofliberation.Allthemovingandunmovingphenomenaoftheworldarealldecaying,unfixedappearances.Allofyou!HereIstop;thereisnothingmoretosay.Timeispassingaway,andIamabouttocrossovertoNirvana.Thesearemylastinstructions.
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EiheiKosoHotsuganmon(DogenZenji)
Wevowwithallbeings,fromthislifeonthroughoutcountlesslives,toheartheTrueDharma;thatuponhearingit,nodoubtwillariseinus,norwillwelackinfaith;thatuponmeetingit,weshallrenounceworldlyaffairsandmaintaintheBuddhaDharma;andthatindoingso,thegreatearthandalllivingbeingstogetherwillattaintheBuddhaWay.Althoughourpastevilkarmahasgreatlyaccumulated,indeedbeingthecauseandconditionofobstaclesinpracticingtheWay,mayallBuddhasandAncestorswhohaveattainedtheBuddhaWaybecompassionatetousandfreeusfromkarmiceffects,allowingustopracticetheWaywithouthindrance.Maytheysharewithustheircompassion,whichfillstheboundlessuniversewiththevirtueoftheirenlightenmentandteachings.BuddhasandAncestorsofoldwereaswe;weinthefutureshallbeBuddhasandAncestors.ReveringBuddhasandAncestors,weareoneBuddhaandoneAncestor;awakeningBodhi-mind,weareoneBodhi-mind.Becausetheyextendtheircompassiontousfreelyandwithoutlimit,weareabletoattainBuddhahoodandletgooftheattainment.Therefore,theChanMasterLung-yasaid:
Thosewhoinpastliveswerenotenlightenedwillnowbeenlightened.Inthis life, save thebody,which is the fruitofmany lives.BeforeBuddhaswereenlightened,theywerethesameaswe.Enlightenedpeopleoftodayareexactlyasthoseofold.
Quietlyexplorethefarthestreachesofthesecausesandconditions,asthispracticeistheexacttransmissionofaverifiedBuddha.Repentinginthisway,oneneverfailstoreceiveprofoundhelpfromallBuddhasandAncestors.ByrevealinganddisclosingourlackoffaithandpracticebeforetheBuddha,wemeltawaytherootoftransgressionsbythepowerofourrepentance.Thisisthepureandsimplecoloroftruepractice,ofthetruemindoffaith,ofthetruebodyoffaith.
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Fukanzazengi(UniversallyRecommendedInstructionsforZazenbyEiheiDogen)
TheWayisbasicallyperfectandall-pervading.Howcoulditbecontingentuponpracticeandrealization?TheDharma-vehicleisfreeanduntrammeled.Whatneedisthereforconcentratedeffort?Indeed,thewholebodyisfarbeyondtheworld'sdust.Whocouldbelieveinameanstobrushitclean?Itisneverapartfromone,rightwhereoneis.Whatistheuseofgoingoffhereandtheretopractice?Andyet,ifthereistheslightestdiscrepancy,theWayisasdistantasheavenfromearth.Iftheleastlikeordislikearises,themindislostinconfusion.Supposeonegainsprideofunderstandingandinflatesone'sownenlightenment,glimpsingthewisdomthatrunsthroughallthings,attainingtheWayandclarifyingthemind,raisinganaspirationtoescaladetheverysky.Oneismakingtheinitial,partialexcursionsaboutthefrontiersbutisstillsomewhatdeficientinthevitalwayoftotalemancipation.NeedImentiontheBuddha,whowaspossessedofinbornknowledge?Theinfluenceofhissixyearsofuprightsittingisnoticeablestill.OrBodhidharma'stransmissionofthemind-seal?Thefameofhisnineyearsoffacingawalliscelebratedtothisday.Sincethiswasthecasewiththesaintsofold,howcanwetodaydispensewithnegotiationoftheWay?Youshouldthereforeceasefrompracticebasedonintellectualunderstanding,pursuingwordsandfollowingafterspeech,andlearnthebackwardstepthatturnsyourlightinwardlytoilluminateyourself.Bodyandmindofthemselveswilldropaway,andyouroriginalfacewillbemanifest.Ifyouwanttoattainsuchness,youshouldpracticesuchnesswithoutdelay.Forpracticingzen,aquietroomissuitable.Eatanddrinkmoderately.Castasideallinvolvementsandceaseallaffairs.Donotthinkgoodorbad.Donotadministerprosandcons.Ceaseallthemovementsoftheconsciousmind,thegaugingofallthoughtandviews.HavenodesignsonbecomingaBuddha.Practicingzenhasnothingwhatevertodowithsittingorlyingdown.Atthesiteofyourregularsitting,spreadoutthickmattingandplaceacushiononit.Siteitherinthefull-lotusorhalf-lotusposition.Inthefull-lotusposition,youfirstplaceyourrightfootonyourleftthighandyourleftfootonyourrightthigh.Inthehalf-lotus,yousimplypressyourleftfootagainstyourrightthigh.Youshouldhaveyourrobesandbeltlooselyboundandarrangedin
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order.Thenplaceyourrighthandonyourleftlegandyourleftpalmfacingupwardonyourrightpalm,thumb-tipstouching.Thussituprightincorrectbodilyposture,neitherincliningtotheleftnortotheright,neitherleaningforwardnorbackward.Besureyourearsareonaplanewithyourshouldersandyournoseinlinewithyournavel.Placeyourtongueagainstthefrontroofofyourmouth,withteethandlipsbothshut.Youreyesshouldalwaysremainopen,andyoushouldbreathegentlythroughyournose.Onceyouhaveadjustedyourposture,takeadeepbreath,inhaleandexhale,rockyourbodyrightandleftandsettleintoasteady,immovablesittingposition.Thinkofnot-thinking.Howdoyouthinkofnot-thinking?Non-thinking.Thisinitselfistheessentialartofzazen.ThezazenIspeakofisnotlearningmeditation.ItissimplytheDharma-gateofreposeandbliss,thepractice-realizationoftotallyculminatedenlightenment.Itisthemanifestationofultimatereality.Trapsandsnarescanneverreachit.Onceitsheartisgrasped,youarelikeadragongainingthewater,likeatigertakingtothemountains.ForyoumustknowthatjustthereinzazentherightDharmaismanifestingitselfandthatfromthefirst,dullnessanddistractionarestruckaside.Whenyouarisefromsitting,moveslowlyandquietly,calmlyanddeliberately.Donotrisesuddenlyorabruptly.Insurveyingthepast,wefindthattranscendenceofbothunenlightenmentandenlightenment,anddyingwhileeithersittingorstanding,havealldependedentirelyonthestrengthofzazen.Inaddition,thebringingaboutofenlightenmentbytheopportunityprovidedbyafinger,abanner,aneedle,oramallet,andtheeffectingofrealizationwiththeaidofawhisk,afist,astaff,orashoutcannotbefullyunderstoodbydiscriminativethinking.Indeed,itcannotbefullyknownbythepracticingorrealizingofsupernaturalpowerseither.Itmustbedeportmentbeyondhearingandseeing–isitnotaprinciplethatispriortoknowledgeandperceptions?Thisbeingthecase,intelligenceorlackofitdoesnotmatter,betweenthedullandthesharp-wittedthereisnodistinction.Ifyouconcentrateyoureffortsingle-mindedly,thatinitselfisnegotiatingtheWay.Practice-realizationisnaturallyundefiled.Goingforwardinpracticeisamatterofeverydayness.Ingeneral,thisworldandotherworldsaswell,bothinIndiaandChinaequallyholdtheBuddha-seal;andoverallprevailsthecharacterofthis
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school,whichissimplydevotiontositting,totalengagementinimmovablesitting.Althoughitissaidthatthereareasmanymindsastherearepersons,stilltheyallnegotiatetheWaysolelyinzazen.Whyleavebehindtheseatthatexistsinyourhomeandgoaimlesslyofftothedustyrealmsofotherlands?IfyoumakeonemisstepyougoastrayfromtheWaydirectlybeforeyou.Youhavegainedthepivotalopportunityofhumanform.Donotuseyourtimeinvain.YouaremaintainingtheessentialworkingoftheBuddhaWay.Whowouldtakewastefuldelightinthesparkfromtheflintstone?Besides,formandsubstancearelikethedewonthegrass,destinylikethedartoflightning-emptiedinaninstant,vanishedinaflash.Please,honoredfollowersofZen.Longaccustomedtogropingfortheelephant,donotbesuspiciousofthetruedragon.Devoteyourenergiestoawaythatdirectlyindicatestheabsolute.Reverethepersonofcompleteattainmentwhoisbeyondallhumanagency.GainaccordwiththeenlightenmentoftheBuddhas;succeedtothelegitimatelineageoftheancestors'samadhi.Constantlyperforminsuchamannerandyouareassuredofbeingapersonsuchasthey.Yourtreasure-storewillopenofitself,andyouwilluseitatwill.
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GenjōKōan(ActualizingtheFundamentalPointbyEiheiDōgen)
AsallthingsareBuddha-Dharma,thereisdelusionandrealization,practice,birthanddeath,andthereareBuddhasandsentientbeings.Asthemyriadthingsarewithoutanabidingself,thereisnodelusion,norealization,noBuddha,nosentientbeing,nobirthanddeath.TheBuddhaWayis,basically,leapingclearofthemanyandtheone;thustherearebirthanddeath,delusionandrealization,sentientbeingsandBuddhas.Yet,inattachmentblossomsfall,andinaversionweedsspread.Tocarryyourselfforwardandexperiencemyriadthingsisdelusion.Thatmyriadthingscomeforthandexperiencethemselvesisawakening.ThosewhohavegreatrealizationofdelusionareBuddhas;thosewhoaregreatlydeludedaboutrealizationaresentientbeings.Further,therearethosewhocontinuerealizingbeyondrealization,whoareindelusionthroughoutdelusion.WhenBuddhasaretrulyBuddhastheydonotnecessarilynoticethattheyareBuddhas.However,theyareactualizedBuddhas,whogoonactualizingBuddhas.Whenyouseeformsorhearsoundsfullyengagingbody-and-mind,yougraspthingsdirectly.Unlikethingsandtheirreflectionsinthemirror,andunlikethemoonanditsreflectioninthewater,whenonesideisilluminatedtheothersideisdark.TostudytheBuddhaWayistostudytheself.Tostudytheselfistoforgettheself.Toforgettheselfistobeactualizedbymyriadthings.Whenactualizedbymyriadthings,yourbodyandmindaswellasthebodiesandmindsofothersdropaway.Notraceofrealizationremains,andthisno-tracecontinuesendlessly.WhenyoufirstseekDharma,youimagineyouarefarawayfromitsenvirons.ButDharmaisalreadycorrectlytransmitted;youareimmediatelyyouroriginalself.Whenyourideinaboatandwatchtheshore,youmightassumethattheshoreismoving.Butwhenyoukeepyoureyescloselyontheboat,youcanseethattheboatmoves.Similarly,ifyouexaminemyriadthingswithaconfusedbodyandmindyoumightsupposethatyourmindandnaturearepermanent.Whenyoupracticeintimatelyandreturntowhereyouare,itwillbeclearthatnothingatallhasunchangingself.Firewoodbecomesash,anditdoesnotbecomefirewoodagain.Yet,donotsupposethattheashisfutureandthefirewoodpast.Youshouldunderstandthatfirewoodabidesinthephenomenalexpressionoffirewoodwhichfullyincludespastandfuture,andisindependentofpastandfuture.Ashabidesinthephenomenalexpressionofashwhichfullyincludesfutureandpast.Justasfirewooddoesnotbecomefirewoodagainafteritisash,youdonotreturntobirthafterdeath.Thisbeingso,itisanestablishedwayinBuddha-Dharmato
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denythatbirthturnsintodeath.Accordingly,birthisunderstoodasno-birth.ItisanunshakableteachinginBuddha'sdiscoursethatdeathdoesnotturnintobirth.Accordingly,deathisunderstoodasno-death.Birthisanexpressioncompletethismoment.Deathisanexpressioncompletethismoment.Theyarelikewinterandspring.Youdonotcallwinterthebeginningofspring,norsummertheendofspring.Enlightenmentislikethemoonreflectedinthewater.Themoondoesnotgetwet,noristhewaterbroken.Althoughitslightiswideandgreat,themoonisreflectedeveninapuddleaninchwide.Thewholemoonandtheentireskyarereflectedindewdropsonthegrass,oreveninonedropofwater.Enlightenmentdoesnotdivideyou,justasthemoondoesnotbreakthewater.Youcannothinderenlightenment,justasadropofwaterdoesnothinderthemooninthesky.Thedepthofthedropistheheightofthemoon.Eachreflection,howeverlongorshortitsduration,manifeststhevastnessofthedewdrop,andrealizesthelimitlessnessofthemoonlightinthesky.WhenDharmadoesnotfillyourwholebodyandmind,youthinkitisalreadysufficient.WhenDharmafillsyourbodyandmind,youunderstandthatsomethingismissing.Forexample,whenyousailoutinaboattothemidstofanoceanwherenolandisinsight,andviewthefourdirections,theoceanlookscircular,anddoesnotlookanyotherway.Buttheoceanisneitherroundnorsquare;itsfeaturesareinfiniteinvariety.Itislikeapalace.Itislikeajewel.Itonlylookscircularasfarasyoucanseeatthattime.Allthingsarelikethis.Thoughtherearemanyfeaturesinthedustyworldandtheworldbeyondconditions,youseeandunderstandonlywhatyoureyeofpracticecanreach.Inordertolearnthenatureofthemyriadthings,youmustknowthatalthoughtheymaylookroundorsquare,theotherfeaturesofoceansandmountainsareinfiniteinvariety;wholeworldsarethere.Itissonotonlyaroundyou,butalsodirectlybeneathyourfeet,orinadropofwater.Afishswimsintheocean,andnomatterhowfaritswimsthereisnoendtothewater.Abirdfliesinthesky,andnomatterhowfaritfliesthereisnoendtotheair.However,thefishandthebirdhaveneverlefttheirelements.Whentheiractivityislargetheirfieldislarge.Whentheirneedissmalltheirfieldissmall.Thus,eachofthemtotallycoversitsfullrange,andeachofthemtotallyexperiencesitsrealm.Ifthebirdleavestheairitwilldieatonce.Ifthefishleavesthewateritwilldieatonce.Knowthatwaterislifeandairislife.Thebirdislifeandthefishislife.Lifemustbethebirdandlifemustbethefish.Itispossibletoillustratethiswithmoreanalogies.Practice,enlightenment,andpeoplearelikethis.Nowifabirdorafishtriestoreachtheendofitselementbeforemovinginit,thisbirdorthisfishwillnotfinditswayoritsplace.Whenyoufindyourplace
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whereyouare,practiceoccurs,actualizingthefundamentalpoint.Whenyoufindyourwayatthismoment,practiceoccurs,actualizingthefundamentalpoint;fortheplace,theWay,isneitherlargenorsmall,neitheryoursnorothers'.Theplace,theWay,hasnotcarriedoverfromthepast,anditisnotmerelyarisingnow.Accordingly,inthepractice-enlightenmentoftheBuddhaWay,meetingonethingismasteringit;doingonepracticeispracticingcompletely.Hereistheplace;heretheWayunfolds.Theboundaryofrealizationisnotdistinct,fortherealizationcomesforthsimultaneouslywiththemasteryofBuddha-Dharma.Donotsupposethatwhatyourealizebecomesyourknowledgeandisgraspedbyyourconsciousness.Althoughactualizedimmediately,theinconceivablemaynotbedistinctlyapparent.Itsappearanceisbeyondyourknowledge.ZenmasterBaocheofMountMayuwasfanninghimself.Amonkapproachedandsaid,“Master,thenatureofwindispermanentandthereisnoplaceitdoesnotreach.Why,thendoyoufanyourself?”“Althoughyouunderstandthatthenatureofwindispermanent,”Baochereplied,“youdonotunderstandthemeaningofitsreachingeverywhere.”“Whatisthemeaningofitsreachingeverywhere?”askedthemonkagain.Themasterjustkeptfanninghimself.Themonkboweddeeply.TheactualizationoftheBuddha-Dharma,thevitalpathofitscorrecttransmission,islikethis.Ifyousaythatyoudonotneedtofanyourselfbecausethenatureofwindispermanentandyoucanhavewindwithoutfanning,youwillunderstandneitherpermanencenorthenatureofwind.Thenatureofwindispermanent;becauseofthat,thewindoftheBuddha'shousebringsforththegoldoftheearthandmakesfragrantthecreamofthelongriver.
16
GreatWisdomBeyondWisdomHeartSutra
AvalokiteshvaraBodhisattvawhenpracticingdeeplythePrajñaParamita
perceivedthatallfiveskandhasintheirownbeingareemptyandwassaved
fromallsuffering.OhShariputra,formdoesnotdifferfromemptiness.
Emptinessdoesnotdifferfromform.Thatwhichisformisemptiness;that
whichisemptiness,form.Thesameistrueoffeelings,perceptions,
formations,consciousness.OhShariputra,alldharmasaremarkedwith
emptiness;theydonotappearnordisappear,arenottaintednorpure,donot
increasenordecrease.Thereforeinemptiness,noform,nofeelings,no
perceptions,noformations,noconsciousness;noeyes,noears,nonose,no
tongue,nobody,nomind;nocolor,nosounds,nosmell,notaste,notouch,no
objectofmind;norealmofeyesuntilnorealmofmind-consciousness;no
ignoranceandalsonoextinctionofituntilnoold-age-and-deathandalsono
extinctionofit;nosuffering,noorigination,nostopping,nopath;nocognition,
alsonoattainment.WithnothingtoattainabodhisattvadependsonPrajña
Paramitaandthemindisnohindrance.Withoutanyhindrancenofearsexist;
farapartfromeverypervertedviewonedwellsinnirvana.Inthethreeworlds
allbuddhasdependonPrajñaParamitaandattainunsurpassedcomplete
perfectenlightenment.ThereforeknowthePrajñaParamitaisthegreat
transcendentmantra,isthegreatbrightmantra,istheutmostmantra,isthe
suprememantra,whichisabletorelieveallsufferingandistrue,notfalse.So
proclaimthePrajñaParamitamantra,proclaimthemantrathatsays:
GategateparagateparasamgateBodhi!Svaha!
(afterdedication)AllBuddhastendirectionsthreetimes, Allbeings,BodhisattvaMahasattvas, Wisdombeyondwisdom,MahaPrajñaParamita
17
IdentityofRelativeandAbsolute
ThemindoftheGreatSageofIndiaisintimatelyconveyedwestandeast.Among
humanbeingsarewiseonesandfools. IntheWaythereisnoteacherofnorthand
south.ThesubtleSourceisclearandbright;thebranchingstreamsflowinthedark.
Tobeattachedtothingsisprimordialillusion; toencountertheabsoluteisnotyet
enlightenment.Allspheres,everysenseandfield intermingleevenastheyshine
alone,interactingevenastheymerge,yetkeepingtheirplacesinexpressionsof
theirown.Formsdifferprimallyinshapeandcharacterandsoundsinharshor
soothingtones.Thedarkmakesallwordsone;thebrightnessdistinguishesgood
andbadphrases.Thefourelementsreturntotheirtruenatureasachildtoits
mother.Fireishot,wateriswet,windmovesandtheearthisdense.Eyeandform,
earandsound,noseandsmell,tongueandtaste,thesweetandsour:each
independentoftheotherlikeleavesthatcomefromthesameroot.Andthough
leavesandrootmustgobacktotheSource,bothrootandleaveshavetheirown
uses.Lightisalsodarkness,butdonotmovewithitasdarkness.Darknessislight;
donotseeitaslight.Lightanddarknessarenotone,nottwo,likethefootbefore
andthefootbehindinwalking.Eachthinghasitsownbeingwhichisnotdifferent
fromitsplaceandfunction.Therelativefitstheabsoluteasaboxanditslid.The
absolutemeetstherelativeliketwoarrowpointsthatmeetinmid-air.Hearing
this,simplyperceivetheSource,makenocriterion.IfyoudonotseetheWay,you
donotseeitevenasyouwalkonit.WhenyouwalktheWayyoudrawnonearer,
progressnofarther.Whofailstoseethisismountainsandriversaway.Listen,those
whowouldpiercethissubtlematter:Donotwasteyourtimebynightorday.
18
JijuyuZammai (Self-FulfillingSamadhibyEiheiDogen,1200-1253)
Now,allancestorsandallBuddhaswhoupholdBuddha-Dharmahavemadeitthetruepathofenlightenmenttosituprightpracticinginthemidstofself-fulfillingsamadhi.ThosewhoattainedenlightenmentinIndiaandChinafollowedthisway.Itwasdonesobecauseteachersanddisciplespersonallytransmittedthisexcellentmethodastheessenceoftheteaching.Intheauthentictraditionofourteaching,itissaidthatthisdirectlytransmitted,straightforwardBuddha-Dharmaistheunsurpassableoftheunsurpassable.Fromthefirsttimeyoumeetamaster,withoutengaginginincenseoffering,bowing,chantingBuddha'sname,repentance,orreadingscriptures,youshouldjustwholeheartedlysit,andthusdropawaybodyandmind.WhenevenforamomentyouexpresstheBuddha'ssealinthethreeactionsbysittinguprightinsamadhi,thewholephenomenalworldbecomestheBuddha'ssealandtheentireskyturnsintoenlightenment.BecauseofthisallBuddhaTathagatasastheoriginalsourceincreasetheirDharmablissandrenewtheirmagnificenceintheawakeningoftheWay.Furthermore,allbeingsinthetendirectionsandthesixrealms,includingthethreelowerrealms,atonceobtainpurebodyandmind,realizethestateofgreatemancipation,andmanifesttheoriginalface.Atthistime,allthingsrealizecorrectawakening;myriadobjectspartakeoftheBuddhabody;andsittinguprightunderthebodhitree,youimmediatelyleapbeyondtheboundaryofawakening.AtthismomentyouturntheunsurpassablygreatDharmawheelandexpoundtheprofoundwisdom,ultimateandunconditioned.Becausesuchbroadawakeningresonatesbacktoyouandhelpsyouinconceivably,youwillinzazenunmistakablydropawaybodyandmind,cuttingoffthevariousdefiledthoughtsfromthepast,andrealizeessentialBuddha-Dharma.ThusyouwillraiseupBuddhaactivityatinnumerablepracticeplacesofBuddhaTathagataseverywhere,causeeveryonetohavetheopportunityofongoingBuddhahood,andvigorouslyuplifttheongoingBuddha-Dharma.Becauseearth,grass,trees,walls,tiles,andpebblesallengageinBuddhaactivity,thosewhoreceivethebenefitofwindandwatercausedbythemareinconceivablyhelpedbytheBuddha'sguidance,splendidandunthinkable,andawakenintimatelytothemselves.ThosewhoreceivethesewaterandfirebenefitsspreadtheBuddha'sguidancebasedonoriginalawakening.Becauseofthis,
19
allthosewholivewithyouandspeakwithyouwillobtainendlessBuddhavirtueandwillunrollwidelyinsideandoutsideoftheentireuniverse,theendless,unremitting,unthinkable,unnamableBuddha-Dharma.Allthis,however,doesnotappearwithinperception,becauseitisunconstructednessinstillness–itisimmediaterealization.Ifpracticeandrealizationweretwothings,asitappearstoanordinaryperson,eachcouldberecognizedseparately.Butwhatcanbemetwithrecognitionisnotrealizationitself,becauserealizationisnotreachedbyadeludedmind.Instillness,mindandobjectmergeinrealizationandgobeyondenlightenment;nevertheless,becauseyouareinthestateofself-fulfillingsamadhi,withoutdisturbingitsqualityormovingaparticleyouextendtheBuddha'sgreatactivity,theincomparablyprofoundandsubtleteaching.Grass,trees,andlandswhichareembracedbythisteachingtogetherradiateagreatlightandendlesslyexpoundtheinconceivable,profoundDharma.Grass,trees,andwallsbringforththeteachingforallbeings,commonpeopleaswellassages.AndtheyinaccordextendthisDharmaforthesakeofgrass,trees,andwalls.Thus,therealmofself-awakeningandawakeningothersinvariablyholdsthemarkofrealizationwithnothinglacking,andrealizationitselfismanifestedwithoutceasingforamoment.Thisbeingso,thezazenofevenonepersonatonemomentimperceptiblyaccordswithallthingsandfullyresonatesthroughalltime.Thusinthepast,future,andpresentofthelimitlessuniversethiszazencarriesontheBuddha'steachingendlessly.Eachmomentofzazenisequallywholenessofpractice,equallywholenessofrealization.Thisisnotonlypracticewhilesitting,itislikeahammerstrikingemptiness:beforeandafter,itsexquisitepealpermeateseverywhere.Howcanitbelimitedtothismoment?Hundredsofthingsallmanifestoriginalpracticefromtheoriginalface;itisimpossibletomeasure.KnowthatevenifallBuddhasofthetendirections,asinnumerableasthesandsoftheGanges,exerttheirstrengthandwiththeBuddhas'wisdomtrytomeasurethemeritofoneperson'szazen,theywillnotbeabletofullycomprehendit.
20
LotusSutra’sLifeSpanoftheTathagata
SinceIattainedBuddhahood,thenumberofkalpasthathavepassedis
incalculablehundreds,thousands,myriads,andbillionsoflongeons.
ConstantlyIhavevoicedtheDharma,teachingcountlessmillionsofliving
beings,sothattheyenteredtheBuddhaWay;allthisforimmeasurablekalpas.
Inordertoliberateallbeings,asskillfulmeansIappeartohaveentered
nirvana;yettrulyIamnotextinct,everdwellingheretovoicetheDharma.I
foreverabideinthisworld,butusemypowersofspiritualpenetrationsothat
confusedlivingbeings,thoughnearby,failtoseeme.Allthoseviewingmeas
extincteverywhereveneratemyrelics;allharborfeelingsofyearning,and
arouseadoringhearts.Whenbeingshavebecomesincerelyfaithful,honest
andupright,withgentleintention,wholeheartedlywishingtobeholdthe
Buddha,notbegrudgingtheirownbodilylives,thenIandtheassembled
sanghaappeartogetheronsacredVulturePeak.ThenItellthelivingbeings
thatinthisworldIabidewithoutend,bythepowerofexpedientmeans,
appearingtobeextinct,ornot.
Otherlandscontainlivingbeings,reverentwithfaithaspiring;amongthemas
well,IgivevoicetosupremeDharma.YouwhodonothearthisonlysupposeI
ampassedintoextinction.Ibeholdthelivingbeings,drowningintheseaof
suffering.HenceIdonotrevealmyself,butsetthemalltoyearning,tillwhen
theirheartsarefilledwithlonging,IthenemergeandproclaimtheDharma.
Withsuchpervasivespiritualpower,foruncountablekalpasIabideonsacred
VulturePeak,andeveryotherdwellingplace.
Whenlivingbeingsseethekalpa'send,withallconsumedinagreatblaze,my
domainstayssereneandcalm,everfilledwithhumanandheavenlybeings,
gardensandgroves,pavilionsandpalaces,adornedwitheverykindofgem,
andjeweledtreeslushwithflowersandfruit,wherelivingbeingsdelightand
21
play.Theheavenlybeingsbeatcelestialdrums,evermakingpleasingmusic,
showeringwhitemandaravaflowersoverBuddhaandthegreatassembly.My
purelandisnotdestroyed,yetallviewitasravagedbyfire,sothatfearand
distresspervadeeverywhere.
Thebeingsvexedwiththeiroffenses,causedbytheirunwholesomekarma,
throughvastroundsofkalpas,hearnotthenameoftheThreeTreasures.But
thosewhopracticevirtuousdeeds,aregentle,upright,andsincere,theseall
seethatIexist,abidinghere,proclaimingDharma.Attimesforthesakeofthat
assembly,IdescribeBuddha'slifespanasimmeasurable;forthosewhoafter
greatlengthsseetheBuddha,IexplainhowrarelyBuddhaisencountered.
Suchisthepowerofmywisdom,withbeamsofinsightshiningbeyond
measure;thislifespanofcountlesskalpaswasgainedfromlong-cultivated
practice.Youwhoarepossessedofwisdom,inregardstothis,entertainno
doubts;castthemoff,foreverended,forBuddha'swordsaretrue,notfalse.
Likethegoodphysicianwhowithskillfulmeans,inordertocurehisdelirious
children,althoughtrulyalivespreadswordheisdeadyetcannotbecharged
withfalsehood,Itoo,asparentoftheworld,saviorofallsufferingand
afflicted,forthesakeofconfused,worldlypeople,althoughtrulyliving,am
thoughttobeextinct.Ifduetoalwaysseeingme,theirheartsbecomeselfish
andarrogant,dissoluteandsetonthefivedesires,theywouldfallintoevil
destinies.IalwaysknowwhichlivingbeingspracticetheWay,andwhichdo
not;inaccordwithwhattheirsalvationrequires,Igivevoicetothevarious
teachings,evermakingthismythought:howcanIcausethelivingbeingsto
enterintotheunsurpassedwayandpromptlyembodyBuddha?
22
TheLotusSutra’sBodhisattvaNeverDisparaging
InthepasttherewasaBuddhanamedAwesomeSoundKing,ofimmeasurable
supernaturalpowersandwisdom,leadingandguidingoneandall.Heavenly
andhumanbeings,dragons,spiritsjoinedinofferinghimalms.
AfterthisBuddhahadenteredextinction,whenhisLawwasabouttoexpire,
therewasabodhisattvanamedNeverDisparaging.
ThefourkindsofbelieversatthattimescrutinizedandadheredtotheLaw.
ThebodhisattvaNeverDisparagingwouldgotowheretheywereandspeakto
them,saying,"Iwouldneverdisparageyou,foryouarepracticingthewayand
allofyouwillbecomeBuddhas!"Whenthepeopleheardthis,theygibedat
him,cursedandreviledhim,butthebodhisattvaNeverDisparagingboreall
thiswithpatience.
Whenhisoffenseshadbeenwipedoutandhislifewasdrawingtoaclose,he
wasabletohearthissutraandhissixfacultieswerepurified.
Becauseofhistranscendentalpowershislifespanwasextended,
andforthesakeofothershepreachedthissutrafarandwide.
ThemanypersonswhoadheredtotheLawallreceivedteachingand
conversionfromthisbodhisattva,whocausedthemtodwellintheBuddha
way.
WhenNeverDisparaging'slifeended,heencounterednumerousBuddhas,and
becausehepreachedthissutrahegainedmeasurableblessings.
BitbybitheacquiredbenefitsandquicklycompletedtheBuddhaway.Never
Disparagingwholivedatthattimewasnoneotherthanmyself.
AndthefourkindsofbelieverswhoadheredtotheLawthen,
whoheardNeverDisparagingsay,"YouwillbecomeBuddhas!"
andthroughthecausesthuscreatedencounternumerousBuddhas-
23
theyarehereinthisassembly,agroupoffivehundredbodhisattvas,andthe
fourkindsofbelievers,menandwomenofpurefaithwhonowinmypresence
listentotheLaw.InpreviousexistencesIencouragedthesepersonstolisten
toandacceptthissutra,theforemostintheLaw,unfoldingit,teachingpeople,
andcausingthemtodwellinnirvana.Soinageafteragetheyacceptedand
upheldscripturesofthiskind.Amillionmilliontenthousandkalpas,an
inconceivabletimewillpassbeforeatleastonecanhearthisLotusSutra.A
millionmilliontenthousandkalpas,aninconceivabletimewillpassbeforethe
Buddhas,World-HonoredOnes,preachthissutra.Thereforeitspractitioners,
aftertheBuddhahasenteredextinction,whentheyhearasutralikethis
shouldentertainnodoubtsorperplexitiesbutshouldwithasinglemind
preachthissutrafarandwide,ageafterageencounteringBuddhasand
quicklycompletingtheBuddhaway.
24
MakaHannyaHaramittaShinGyo
Kanjizaibosatsugyojinhannyaharamittajishokengoonkaikudoissaiku
yakusharishishikifuikukufuishikishikisokuzekukusokuzeshikijuso
gyoshikiyakubunyozesharishizeshohokusofushofumetsufukufujo
fuzofugenzekokuchumushikimujusogyoshikimugennibizesshinni
mushikishokomisokuhomugenkainaishimuishikikaimumumyoyaku
mumumyojinnaishimuroshiyakumuroshijinmukushumetsudomu
chiyakumutokuimushotokkobodaisattaehannyaharamittakoshinmu
kegemukegekomuukufuonriissaitendomusokugyonehansanzesho
butsuehannyaharamittakotokuanokutarasanmyakusanbodaikochi
hannyaharamittazedaijinshuzedaimyoshuzemujoshuzemutodoshu
nojoissaikushinjitsufukokosetsuhannyaharamittashusokusetsushu
watsugyategyateharagyateharasogyatebojisowakahannyashingyo
(afterdedication)
JiHoSanShiIShiFu
ShiSonBuSaMoKoSa
MoKoHoJaHoRoMi
25
Maylie’sPrayerforPeace
MayIbewell,loving,andpeaceful.Mayallbeingsbewell,loving,andpeaceful.MayIbeateaseinmybody,feelingthegroundbeneathmyseatandfeet,lettingmybackbelongandstraight,enjoyingbreathasitrisesandfallsandrises.MayIknowandbeintimatewithbodymind,whateveritsfeelingormood,calmoragitated,tiredorenergetic,irritatedorfriendly.Breathinginandout,inandout,aware,momentbymoment,oftherisingsandpassings.MayIbeattentiveandgentletowardsmyowndiscomfortandsuffering.MayIbeattentiveandgratefulformyownjoyandwellbeing.MayImovetowardsothersfreelyandwithopenness.MayIreceiveotherswithsympathyandunderstanding.MayImovetowardsthesufferingofotherswithpeacefulandattentiveconfidence.MayIrecalltheBodhisattvaofcompassion;her1,000hands,herinstantreadinessforaction,eachhandwithaneyeinit,theinstinctiveknowingwhattodo.MayIcontinuallycultivatethegroundofpeaceformyselfandothersandpersist,mindfulanddedicatedtothiswork,independentofresults.MayIknowthatmypeaceandtheworld’speacearenotseparate,thatourpeaceintheworldisaresultofourworkforjustice.Mayallbeingsbewell,happy,andpeaceful.
26
MettaSutta
Thisiswhatshouldbeaccomplishedbytheonewhoiswise,whoseeksthe
good,andhasobtainedpeace.Letonebestrenuous,upright,andsincere,
withoutpride,easilycontented,andjoyous.Letonenotbesubmergedbythe
thingsoftheworld.Letonenottakeupononeselftheburdenofriches.Let
one'ssensesbecontrolled.Letonebewisebutnotpuffedupandletonenot
desiregreatpossessionsevenforone'sfamily.Letonedonothingthatismean
orthatthewisewouldreprove.Mayallbeingsbehappy.Maytheybejoyous
andliveinsafety.Alllivingbeings,whetherweakorstrong,inhighormiddle
orlowrealmsofexistence,smallorgreat,visibleorinvisible,nearorfar,born
ortobeborn,mayallbeingsbehappy.Letnoonedeceiveanothernordespise
anybeinginanystate.Letnonebyangerorhatredwishharmtoanother.
Evenasamotherattheriskofherlifewatchesoverandprotectsheronly
child,sowithaboundlessmindshouldonecherishalllivingthings.Suffusing
loveovertheentireworld,above,below,andallaround,withoutlimit,solet
onecultivateaninfinitegoodwilltowardthewholeworld.Standingor
walking,sittingorlyingdown,duringallone'swakinghours,letonepractice
theWaywithgratitude.Notholdingtofixedviews,abandoningvague
discussions,endowedwithinsight,freedfromsenseappetites,onewho
achievestheWaywillbefreedfromthedualityofbirthanddeath.
27
SettinginMotiontheWheelofDhammaSutta
ThushaveIheard.OncetheBlessedOnewaslivingintheDeerParkatIsipatana,nearVaranasi.Thereheaddressedthegroupoffivemonks:“Monks,thesetwoextremesoughtnottobepracticedbyonewhohasgoneforthfromtheworldlylife.Whatarethetwo?Thereisdevotiontopursuingsensepleasures,whichisdegrading,common,thewayofordinarypeople,unworthyandunprofitable;andthereisdevotiontoself-mortification,whichispainful,unworthyandunprofitable.“Avoidingboththeseextremes,theTathagatahasrealizedtheMiddleWay:itgivesvision,itgivesknowledge,anditleadstopeace,toinsight,toawakening,tofreedom.AndwhatisthatMiddleWay?ItissimplytheNobleEightfoldPath,namely,rightview,rightthought,rightspeech,rightaction,rightlivelihood,righteffort,rightmindfulness,rightconcentration.ThisistheMiddleWayrealizedbytheTathagata,whichgivesvision,whichgivesknowledge,andwhichleadstopeace,toinsight,toawakening,tofreedom.‘TheNobleTruthofsufferingisthis:Birthissuffering;agingissuffering;sicknessissuffering;deathissuffering;sorrowandlamentation,pain,griefanddespairaresuffering;associationwiththeunpleasantissuffering;separationfromthepleasantissuffering;nottogetwhatonewantsissuffering–inbrief,graspingthefiveaggregatesissuffering.‘TheNobleTruthoftheoriginofsufferingisthis:Itiscravingwhichproducesrenewalofbeing,boundupwithpassionategreed.Itfindsfreshdelightnowhereandnowthere,namely,cravingforsense-pleasures;cravingforbeing;andcravingfornon-being.‘TheNobleTruthofthecessationofsufferingisthis:Itisthecompletecessationofthatverycraving,givingitup,renouncingit;lettinggoofit,emancipatingoneselffromit.‘TheNobleTruthofthewayleadingtothecessationofsufferingisthis:ItissimplytheNobleEightfoldPath,namelyrightview;rightthought;rightspeech;rightaction;rightlivelihood;righteffort;rightmindfulness;rightconcentration.“ThisistheNobleTruthofsuffering”:suchwasthevision,theknowledge,thewisdom,theawareness,thelightthataroseinmewithregardtothingsnotheardbefore.“Thissuffering,asanobletruth,mustbefullyunderstood”:such
28
wasthevision...“Thissuffering,asanobletruth,hasbeenfullyunderstood”:suchwasthevision...“ThisistheNobleTruthoftheoriginofsuffering”:suchwasthevision...“Thisoriginofsuffering,asanobletruth,mustbeabandoned”:suchwasthevision...“Thisoriginofsuffering,asanobletruth,hasbeenabandoned”:suchwasthevision...“ThisistheNobleTruthofthecessationofsuffering”:suchwasthevision...“Thiscessationofsuffering,asanobletruth,mustberealized”:suchwasthevision...“Thiscessationofsuffering,asanobletruth,hasbeenrealized”:suchwasthevision...“ThisistheNobleTruthofthewayleadingtothecessationofsuffering”:suchwasthevision...“Thiswayleadingtothecessationofsuffering,asanobletruth,mustbefollowed”:suchwasthevision...“Thiswayleadingtothecessationofsuffering,asanobletruth,hasbeenfollowed”:suchwasthevision,theknowledge,thewisdom,theawareness,thelight,thataroseinmewithregardtothingsnotheardbefore.“Aslongasmyvisionoftrueknowledgewasnotfullyclearinthesethreeaspects,inthesetwelveways,regardingtheFourNobleTruths,Ididnotclaimtohaverealizedtheperfectawakeningthatissupremeintheworldwithitsgods,devils,andhighestdivinity,inthisworldwithitscontemplativesandpriests,withitsmonarchsandpeople.Butwhenmyvisionoftrueknowledgewasfullyclearinthesethreeaspects,inthesetwelveways,regardingtheFourNobleTruths,thenIclaimedtohaverealizedtheperfectawakeningthatissupremeintheworldwithitsgods,devils,andhighestdivinity,inthisworldwithitscontemplativesandpriests,withitsmonarchsandpeople.Andthevisionandknowledgearoseinmethus:Myheart’sdeliveranceisunshakable.Thisismylastbirth.Nowthereisnomorerenewalofbeing.”ThistheBlessedOnesaid.Thegroupoffivemonkswasglad,andtheyrejoicedathiswords.
29
SongoftheGrassHut(SekitoKisen,700-790CE)
I'vebuiltagrasshutwherethere'snothingofvalue.Aftereating,Irelaxand
enjoyanap.Whenitwascompleted,freshweedsappeared.Nowit'sbeen
livedin-coveredbyweeds.Thepersoninthehutlivesherecalmly,notstuck
toinside,outside,orinbetween.Placesworldlypeoplelive,hedoesn'tlive.
Realmsworldlypeoplelove,hedoesn'tlove. Thoughthehutissmall,it
includestheentireworld.Intenfeetsquare,anoldmanilluminesformsand
theirnature.AGreatVehicleBodhisattvatrustswithoutdoubt.Themiddling
orlowlycan'thelpwondering,willthishutperishornot?Perishableornot,
theoriginalmasterispresent,notdwellingsouthornorth,eastorwest.
Firmlybasedonsteadiness,itcan'tbesurpassed.Ashiningwindowbelow
thegreenpines—jadepalacesorvermiliontowerscan'tcomparewithit.
Justsittingwithheadcovered,allthingsareatrest.Thus,thismountainmonk
doesn'tunderstandatall.Livingherehenolongerworkstogetfree.Who
wouldproudlyarrangeseats,tryingtoenticeguests?Turnaroundthelightto
shinewithin,thenjustreturn.Thevastinconceivablesourcecan'tbefacedor
turnedawayfrom.Meettheancestralteachers,befamiliarwiththeir
instruction.Bindgrassestobuildahut,anddon'tgiveup.Letgoofhundreds
ofyearsandrelaxcompletely. Openyourhandsandwalk,innocent.
Thousandsofwords,myriadinterpretations areonlytofreeyoufrom
obstructions.Ifyouwanttoknowtheundyingpersoninthehut, don't
separatefromthisskinbaghereandnow.
30
SongoftheJewelMirrorSamadhi(HokyoZammaibyTozanRyokai,807-869)
TheteachingofthusnesshasbeenintimatelycommunicatedbyBuddhasand
ancestors.Nowyouhaveit,sokeepitwell.Fillingasilverbowlwithsnow,
hidingaheroninthemoonlight–takenassimilarthey'renotthesame;when
youmixthem,youknowwheretheyare.Themeaningisnotinthewords,yet
itrespondstotheinquiringimpulse.Moveandyouaretrapped;missandyou
fallintodoubtandvacillation.Turningawayandtouchingarebothwrong,for
itislikeamassivefire.Justtodepictitinliteraryformistostainitwith
defilement.Itisbrightjustatmidnight,itdoesn'tappearatdawn.Itactsasa
guideforbeings,itsuseremovesallpains.Althoughitisnotfabricated,itis
notwithoutspeech.Itislikefacingajewelmirror;formandimagebehold
eachother–youarenotit,intruthitisyou.Likeababeintheworld,infive
aspectscomplete;itdoesnotgoorcome,norrisenorstand.“Babawawa”–is
thereanythingsaidornot?Ultimatelyitdoesnotapprehendanythingbecause
itsspeechisnotyetcorrect.Itislikethesixlinesoftheillumination
hexagram:relativeandultimateinteract–piledup,theymakethree,the
completetransformationmakesfive.Itislikethetasteofthefive-flavored
herb,likeadiamondthunderbolt.Subtlyincludedwithinthetrue,inquiryand
responsecomeuptogether.Communingwiththesource,travelthepathways,
embracetheterritoryandtreasuretheroad.Respectingthisisfortunate;do
notneglectit.Naturallyrealyetinconceivable,itisnotwithintheprovinceof
delusionorenlightenment.Withcausalconditions,timeandseason,
quiescentlyitshinesbright.Initsfinenessitfitsintospacelessness,inits
greatnessitisutterlybeyondlocation.Ahairsbreadth'sdeviationwillfailto
accordwiththeproperattunement.Nowtherearesuddenandgradualin
whichteachingsandapproachesarise.Oncebasicapproachesare
31
distinguished,thenthereareguidingrules.Buteventhoughthebasisis
reachedandtheapproachcomprehended,trueeternitystillflows.Outwardly
stillwhileinwardlymoving,likeatetheredcolt,atrappedrat–theancient
sagespitiedthemandbestoweduponthemtheteaching.Accordingtotheir
delusions,theycalledblackaswhite;whenerroneousimaginationscease,the
acquiescentmindrealizesitself.Ifyouwanttoconformtotheancientway,
pleaseobservethesagesofformertimes.Whenabouttofulfillthewayof
Buddhahood,onegazedatatreeforteneons,likeabattle-scarredtiger,likea
horsewithshanksgonegray.Becausethereisthecommon,therearejewel
pedestals,fineclothing;becausethereisthestartlinglydifferent,thereare
housecatandcow.Yiwithhisarcher'sskillcouldhitatargetatahundred
paces.Butwhenarrow-pointsmeetheadon,whathasthistodowiththe
powerofskill?Whenthewoodenmanbeginstosing,thestonewomangets
updancing;it’snotwithinreachoffeelingordiscrimination–howcouldit
admitofconsiderationinthought?Ministersservetheirlords,childrenobey
theirparents;notobeyingisnotfilialandnotservingisnohelp.Practice
secretly,workingwithin,likeafool,likeanidiot.Justtocontinueinthiswayis
calledthehostwithinthehost.
32
SongoftheTrustingMind (partialtranslationoftheShinjinmeibyKanchiSosan,d.606)
TheGreatWayisnotdifficultforthosewhoholdnopreferences.Whenlongingandaversionarebothabsent,everythingbecomesclearandundisguised.Makethesmallestdistinction,however,andheavenandeartharesetinfinitelyapart.Ifyouwishtoseethetruth,thenholdnoopinionfororagainst.Thestruggleoflikesanddislikesisthediseaseofthemind.Whenthedeepmeaningofthingsisnotunderstood,themind'sessentialpeaceisdisturbedtonoavail.TheWayisperfectlikevastspace,wherenothingislackingandnothingisextra.Indeed,itisduetoourchoosingorrejectingthatwedonotseethus.Liveneitherinentanglementwiththings,norpassivelyinemptiness.Beserenewithoutstrivingactivityintheonenessofthings,andsucherroneousviewswilldisappearbythemselves.Whenyoutrytostopactivitytoachievepassivity,yourveryeffortfillsyouwithactivity.Aslongasyouremaininoneextremeortheother,youwillneverknowoneness.ThosewhodonotliveinthesingleWayfailinbothactivityandpassivity,assertionanddenial.Todenytheexistenceofthingsistogetstuckinexistence;toasserttheemptinessofthingsistoturnawayfromemptiness.Themoreyoutalkandthinkaboutit,thefurtherastrayyouwanderfromthetruth.Stoptalkingandthinkingandthereisnothingyouwillnotbeabletoknow.Toreturntotherootistofindthemeaning,buttopursueappearancesistomissthesource.Atthemomentofturningthelightofawarenessaround,thereisgoingbeyondappearanceandemptiness.Thechangesthatappeartooccurintheemptyworldwecallrealonlybecauseofignorance.Donotsearchforthetruth;onlyceasetoholdopinions.Dualisticconstructsdonotabide,sotakecarenottopursuethem.Ifthereisevenatraceofthisandthat,rightandwrong,themindwillbelostinconfusion.Althoughalldualitiescomefromtheone,donotbeattachedeventothisone.Whentheonemindisunborn,nothingintheworldcanoffend,andwhenathingcannolongeroffenditceasestoexistintheoldway.Whennodiscriminatingthoughtsarise,theoldmindceasestoexist.
33
SongofZazen(HakuinZenji)
AllbeingsbynatureareBuddha,asicebynatureiswater;apartfromwater
thereisnoice,apartfrombeingsnoBuddha.Howsadthatpeopleignorethe
nearandsearchfortruthafar,likesomeoneinthemidstofwatercryingoutin
thirst,likethechildofawealthyhomewanderingamongthepoor.Loston
thedarkpathsofignorance,wewanderthroughthesixworlds;fromdark
pathtodarkpathwewander,whenshallwebefreedfrombirthanddeath?
ForthisthezazenoftheMahayanadeservesthehighestpraise:Offerings,
Precepts,Paramitas,Nembutsu,atonement,practice–themanyothervirtues,
allarisefromzazen.Thosewhotryzazenevenoncewipeaway
immeasurablecrimes.Whereareallthedarkpathsthen?ThePureLandis
near.Thosewhohearthistruthevenonce, andlistenwithagratefulheart,
treasuringit,reveringit,gainblessingswithoutend.Muchmoreifyouturn
yourselfabout,andconfirmyourownself-nature–self-naturethatisno
nature–youarefarbeyondargument.Theonenessofcauseandeffectis
clear,nottwo,notthree, thepathisstraight:withformthatisnoform,
comingandgoing-neverastray;withthoughtthatisnothought,singingand
dancingarethevoiceoftheLaw.BoundlessandfreeistheskyofSamadhi,
brightthefullmoonofwisdom,trulyisanythingmissingnow?Nirvanais
righthere,beforeoureyes.ThisveryplaceistheLotusLand,thisverybody
theBuddha.
34
SPECIAL CEREMONIES
DaihiShinDharani(GreatCompassionateHeartDhārani)
Namukaratannotorayayanamuoriyaboryokichishifurayafujisatoboya
mokosatoboyamokokyarunikyayaensaharahaeishutannotonsha
namushikiritoimooriyaboryokichishifurarintobonamunorakinjikiri
mokohodoshamisabootojoshubenoshuinsabosatonomobogyamo
hatechotojitoenoboryokirugyachikyaryachiikirimokofujisatosabo
sabomoramoramokimokiritoinkuryokuryokemotoryotoryohoja
yachimokohojayachitoratorachirinishifurayasharosharomomoha
morahochiriyukiyukishinoshinoorasanfurasharihazahazafurasha
yakuryokuryomorakuryokuryokirisharosharoshirishirisuryosu
ryofujiyafujiyafudoyafudoyamichiriyanorakinjichirishuninohoya
monosomokoshidoyasomokomokoshidoyasomokoshidoyukishifura
yasomokonorakinjisomokomoranorasomokoshirasuomogyayasomo
kosobomokoshidoyasomokoshakiraoshidoyasomokohodomogya
shidoyasomokonorakinjihagyarayasomokomohorishingyarayasomo
konamukaratannotorayayanamuoriyaboryokichishifurayasomoko
shitedomodorahodoyasomoko
35
NamesoftheWomenAncestors
AchāryāMahāpajāpatīAchāryāMittāAchāryāYasōdharāAchāryāTissā
AchāryāSujātāAchāryāSundarī-nandāAchāryāVaddhesīAchāryāPatāchārā
AchāryāVisākhaAchāryāSingālaka-mātāAchāryāKhemāAchāryā
UppalavannāAchāryāSāmāvatīAchāryāUttarāAchāryāChandāAchāryā
UttamāAchāryāBhaddāKundalakesāAchāryāNanduttarāAchāryāDantikā
AchāryāSakulāAchāryāSihāAchāryāDhammadinnāAchāryāKisāgōtamī
AchāryāUbbirīAchāryāIsidāsiAchāryāBhaddāKapilānīAchāryāMuttā
AchāryāSumanāAchāryāDhammāAchāryāChittāAchāryāAnōpamāAchāryā
SukkāAchāryāSamāAchāryāUtpalāvarnaAchāryāShrimālāDevī
AchāryāCongchiAchāryāLingzhaoAchāryāMoshanLiaoran
(Sung-chir)(Ling-jao)(Mo-shanLiao-ren)
AchāryāLiuTiemoAchāryāMiaoxinAchāryāDaoshen
(LiuTiemo)(Miao-shin)(Dao-shun)
AchāryāShijiAchāryāZhi’anAchāryāHuiguang
(Shir-ji)(Jir-an)(Hway-guang)
AchāryāKongshiDaorenAchāryāYuDaopoAchāryāHuiwen
(Kung-shirDao-ren)(YuDao-poe)(Huay-wen)
AchāryāFadengAchāryāWenzhaoAchāryāMiaodaoAchāryāZhitong
(Fa-dung)(Wen-jow)(Miao-dao)(Jer-tung)
AchāryāZēnshīnAchāryāZēnzoAchāryāEzēnAchāryāRyonēnAchāryāEgi
AchāryāShogakuAchāryāEkānAchāryāShōzēnAchāryāMokufuSonīn
AchāryāMyoshoĒnkānAchāryāEkyuAchāryāEshūnAchāryāSoshīnAchāryā
SoitsuAchāryāChiyono
36
NamesoftheBuddhasandAncestors
BibashiButsuDāioshōShikiButsuDāioshōBishafuButsuDāioshōKurusōn
ButsuDāioshōKunagōnmuniButsuDāioshōKashōButsuDāioshōShakamuni
ButsuDāioshōMakakashōDāioshōAnāndaDāioshōShōnawashuDāioshō
UbakikutaDāioshōDāitakaDāioshōMishakaDāioshōVashumitsuDāioshō
ButsudanāndāiDāioshōFudamīttaDāioshōBarishibaDāioshōFunayasha
DāioshōAnabotēiDāioshōKabimaraDāioshōNagyaharajunaDāioshō
KanadāibaDāioshōRagorataDāioshōSōgyanāndāiDāioshōKayashata
DāioshōKumorataDāioshōShayataDāioshōVashubānzuDāioshōManura
DāioshōKakurokunaDāioshōShishibodāiDāioshōBashashitaDāioshō
FunyomīttaDāioshōHānnyataraDāioshōBodāidarumaDāioshōTāisoEka
DāioshōKānchiSōsānDāioshōDāi-iDōshīnDāioshōDāimānKōnīnDāioshō
DāikānEnōDāioshōSēigēnGyōshiDāioshōSekitōKisēnDāioshōYakusān
IgēnDāioshōŪngānDōnjōDāioshōTōzānRyōkāiDāioshōŪngoDōyōDāioshō
DōānDōhiDāioshōDōānKānshiDāioshōRyōzānĒnkānDāioshōTāiyō
KyōgēnDāioshōTōsuGisēiDāioshōFuyōDōkāiDāioshōTānkaShijūn
DāioshōChōroSēiryōDāioshōTēndōSōgakuDāioshōSētchōChikānDāioshō
TēndōNyojōDāioshōĒihēiDōgēnDāioshōKoūnEjōDāioshōTēttsūGikāi
DāioshōKēizānJōkīnDāioshō
37
FormalFullMoonCeremony
Kneeling:Kokyocall&Assemblyresponse,entireverse3times(Fullbowinthelastline)AllmyancienttwistedkarmaFrombeginning-lessgreed,hateanddelusionBornthroughbody,speechandmindInowfullyavow.Standing:Kokyocall&Assemblyresponse,entiresequence3times(Fullbowforeachline)HomagetothesevenBuddhasbeforeBuddhaHomagetoShakyamuniBuddhaHomagetoMaitreyaBuddhaHomagetoManjushriBodhisattvaHomagetoSamantabhadraBodhisattvaHomagetoAvalokiteshvaraBodhisattvaHomagetothesuccessionofAncestorsKneeling:Kokyocall&Assemblyresponse,entireverse3times(Fullbowinthelastline)Beingsarenumberless;Ivowtoawakenwiththem.Delusionsareinexhaustible;Ivowtoendthem.Dharmagatesareboundless;Ivowtoenterthem.Buddha’swayisunsurpassable;Ivowtobecomeit.Standing:Kokyochantscomplexline,Assemblychantsshortverses(withfullbows),entiresequence1timeItakerefugeinBuddha Beforeallbeing ImmersingbodyandminddeeplyintheWay AwakeningtruemindItakerefugeinDharma Beforeallbeing Enteringdeeplythemercifulocean OfBuddha’sWay
38
ItakerefugeinSangha Beforeallbeing Bringingharmonytoeveryone FreefromhindranceThreepurepreceptsKneeling:Doshicalls&Assemblyrespondslinebyline,onetimeeachIvowtoembraceandsustainrightconductIvowtoembraceandsustainallgoodIvowtoembraceandsustainallbeings10gravepreceptsAdiscipleofBuddhadoesnottakelife.AdiscipleofBuddhadoesnottakewhatisnotgiven.AdiscipleofBuddhadoesnotmisusesexuality.AdiscipleofBuddhadoesnotlie.AdiscipleofBuddhadoesnotintoxicatemindorbodyofselforother.AdiscipleofBuddhadoesnotslander.AdiscipleofBuddhadoesnotpraiseselfattheexpenseofanother.AdiscipleofBuddhaisnotpossessiveofanything.AdiscipleofBuddhadoesnotharborillwill.AdiscipleofBuddhadoesnotdisparagetheThreeTreasures.
Dedication(Kneeling)Doshichants:ThusonthisfullmoonnightweofferthemeritoftheBodhisattvaWaythrougheveryworldsystemtotheunbornnatureofallbeing.DoshiandKokyoandAssemblytogether:AllBuddhastendirectionsthreetimesAllbeingsBodhisattvaMahasattvasWisdombeyondwisdom(Arisefromkneeling,preparingforbows)MahaPrajñaParamita3fullbowswithbellsNormalclosingbowsandbells
