BUDDHIST DEVOTIONS
It is the duty of every Buddhist to pay homage to the Buddha before the commencement of any Buddhist recitation. The following sentences in Pali should be recited thrice and only after that does one take refuge in the Triple Gem. This is done as a mark of respect for the great virtues and wisdom of the Buddha in order to gain confidence, devotion and inspiration in the Buddha. Vandanā Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammā sambuddhassa Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammā sambuddhassa Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammā sambuddhassa Honour to Him, the Blessed One, the Worthy One, the fully Enlightened One
Tri-Sarana Buddham saranam gacchāmi Dhammam saranam gacchāmi Sangham saranam gacchāmi Dutiyampi Buddham saranam gacchāmi Dutiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchāmi Dutiyampi Sangham saranam gacchāmi Tatiyampi Buddham saranam gacchāmi Tatiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchāmi Tatiyampi Sangham saranam gacchāmi I go to the Buddha as my refuge I go to the Dhamma as my refuge I go to the Sangha as my refuge. For the second time I go to the Buddha as my refuge. For the second time I go to the Dhamma as my refuge. For the second time I go to the Sangha as my refuge. For the third time I go to the Buddha as my refuge. For the third time I go to the Dhamma as my refuge. For the third time I go to the Sangha as my refuge.
Panca Sila Pānati-pātā veramani sikkhā padam samādiyāmi Adinnā-dānā veramani sikkhā padam samādiyāmi Kāmesu micchā-cārā veramani sikkhā padam samādiyāmi Musāvādā veramani sikkhā padam samādiyāmi Surā meraya-majja-pamā-datthānā veramani sikkhā padam samādiyāmi I take the precept to abstain from destroying living beings I take the precept to abstain from taking things not given. I take the precept to abstain from sexual misconduct I take the precept to abstain from false speech I take the precept to abstain from taking anything that causes intoxication or heedlessness
(Bell to initiate the chanting ) Namo Sakyamuni Buddha Namo Amitabha Buddha Namo Manjusri Bodhisattva Namo Samantabhadra Bodhisattva Namo Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Namo Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva (Bell..) (Repeat Three Times)
Sutra on the Eight Realizations of Great Beings Spoken by the Buddha 佛說八大人覺經 Translated from Sanskrit into Chinese by Sramana An Shih Kao In the Easter Han Dynasty (AD25-220) Translated from the Chinese Version into English by Venerable Guan Cheng 為佛弟子 至心誦念 常於晝夜 八大人覺 The disciples of the Buddha should earnestly, by day and by night, recite and meditate on the eight realizations of great beings. 第一覺悟 : 世間無常國土危脆四大苦空五陰無我生滅變異虛偽無主心是惡源形為罪藪如是觀察漸離生死 The first realization is that the world is impermanent; the earth is unsafe and fragile. The four elements are empty and there are the source of suffering. The five aggregates are not the ego. All things arise, change and disintegrate, depending on causes; they are but illusory phenomena without any real essence. The mind is the origin of all evils, and the body is the doer of all wrong actions. If we meditate on all of this, we will gradually be free from cycle of birth and death. 第二覺悟 : 多欲為苦生死疲勞從貪欲起少欲無為身心自在 The second realization is that suffering arises from excessive desire. The hardship of the cycle of birth and death comes from greed and desire. Those with little desire and attachment will be content in body and mind.
第三覺知 : 心無厭足唯得多求增長罪惡菩薩不爾常念知足安貧守道唯慧是業 The third realization is that the mind is insatiable, always seeking for more acquisitions, and thus increasing evil actions. Bodhisattvas are never greedy and desirous, but are always content, living a simple life while practicing the Way. The pursuit of wisdom is their only concern. 第四覺知 : 懈怠墜落常行精進破煩惱惡摧伏四魔出陰界獄 The fourth realization is that laziness degrades practice. Always be diligent. Destroy mental afflictions. Overcome the four demons and be free from the prison of the five aggregates and the three realms. 第五覺悟 : 愚癡生死菩薩常念廣學多聞增長智慧成就辯才教化一切悉以大樂 The fifth realization is that ignorance is the cause of suffering in the cycle of birth and death. Bodhisattvas must remember to listen and study extensively to increase their wisdom. They must aim to become eloquent and teach all sentient beings how to achieve the ultimate joy. 第六覺知 : 貧苦多怨橫結惡緣菩薩布施等念怨親不念舊惡不憎惡人 The sixth realization is that poverty fosters hatred and anger, which breeds negative thoughts and actions. In practicing charity, Bodhisattvas treat friend and foe equally. They do not condemn anyone for their past bad karma; nor do they hate evildoers.
第七覺悟 : 五欲過患雖為俗人不染世樂常念三衣瓦缽法器志願出家守道清白梵行高遠慈悲一切 The seventh realization is that the five desires lead to sufferings. Although we are worldlings, we must not be influenced by worldly pleasures. For example, monks and nuns possess only three robes and one bowl, vowing to renounce the lay life. They observe the precepts to remain pure, and their morality extends to all, far and wide. They treat all sentient beings with compassion. 第八覺知 : 生死熾然苦惱無量發大乘心普濟一切願代眾生受無量苦令諸眾生畢竟大樂 The eighth realization is that that the fire of birth and death is raging, causing endless suffering everywhere. We vow to cultivate the Mahayana mind and to save all from their sufferings. We vow to bear the burden of countless sufferings on behalf of all sentient beings. We vow to guide all to the ultimate state of supreme joy. 如此八事乃是諸佛菩薩大人之所覺悟精進行道慈悲修慧乘法身船至涅槃岸復還生死度脫眾生以前八事開導一切令諸眾生覺生死苦捨離五欲修心聖道若佛弟子誦此八事於念念中滅無量罪進趣菩提速登正覺永斷生死常住快樂 These eight realizations of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas lead to Enlightenment. Buddhas and Bodhisattvas practice the Way with diligence, compassion and wisdom, steering the Dharmakaya ship to the shore of Nirvana. Then they re-enter the cycle of birth and death to save all sentient beings. With these eight realizations, they help sentient beings to understand the suffering of birth and death, to abandon the five desires, to cultivate their minds and to tread the path of the sages. If the disciples of the Buddha recite these eight realizations and keep them in mind, they will eradicate countless evils, acquire perfect wisdom and quickly attain Enlightenment. They will forever be free from the cycle of birth and death and live eternally in peace and happiness.
般若波羅密多心經 觀自在菩薩行深般若波羅蜜多時照見五蘊皆空度一切苦厄舍利子色不異空空不異色色即是空空即是色受想行識亦復如是舍利子是諸法空相不生不滅不垢不淨不增不減是故空中無色無受想行識無眼耳鼻舌身意無色聲香味觸法無眼界, 乃至無意識界 Prajna-paramita-hrdaya-sutra (The Heart Sutra of Perfect Wisdom) Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, When practicing the profound Prajna-paramita. Perceived that the five skandhas are empty, And thereby became free from all suffering. O Sariputra, Form is no different than emptiness; Emptiness is no different than form. Form is emptiness; Emptiness is Form. The same is true with perceptions, conception, volition, and consciousness. O Sariputra, The emptiness of all things Is neither created nor does it perish, Neither impure nor pure, Neither increasing nor decreasing. Therefore in emptiness there is no form, Nor perceptions, nor conception, nor volition, nor consciousness.; No eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, or mind; No form, sound, smell, taste, touch, or object of mind, No realm of the eyes. up to no realm consciousness;
無無明亦無無明盡乃至無老死亦無老死盡無苦集滅道無智亦無得以無所得故菩提薩埵依般若波羅蜜多故心無罣礙無罣礙故無有恐怖遠離顛倒夢想究竟涅槃三世諸佛依般若波羅蜜多故得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提故知般若波羅蜜多是大神咒是大明咒是無上咒是無等等咒能除一切苦真實不虛故說般若波羅蜜多咒即說咒曰揭諦揭諦波羅揭諦波羅僧揭諦菩提薩婆訶 No ignorance, nor its extinction Up to no old-age and death, nor their extinction. There is no suffering, no cause of suffering, no extinction, no path. No wisdom and also no attainment. Because there is no object to be obtained. The Bodhisattva, practicing Prajna-paramita, Have no obstacles in mind. Having no obstacles, they overcome fear, Liberating themselves forever from delusions, Ultimately realizing Nirvana. All Buddhas of the past, present, and future, Abiding in Prajna-paramita, Attain Anuttara-samyaksambodhi Therefore one should know that Prajna-paramita Is the great, supernatural mantra, The great, bright, unsurpassed And unequalled mantra, The destroyer of all suffering, the incorruptible truth. A mantra of Prajna-paramita should therefore be proclaimed. This is the mantra: Gate Gate Paragate Parasamagate Bodhi Svaha!
Medicine Buddha Dharani Namo bhagavate bhaiṣajya guru vaiḍūrya prabha rājāya tathāgatāya arhate samyaksambuddhāya tadyathā: om bhaisajye bhaisajye bhaisajya samudgate svāhā. The short form is: (tadyathā:) oṃ bhaiṣajye bhaisajye bhaisajya samudgate svāhā. Namo (Homage to) bhagavate (world honored one) bhaiṣajya guru (master of medicine) vaiḍūrya (lapis lazuli colored) prabha rājāya (king of light) tathāgatāya arhate ( thus come one, worthy of offering ) samyak sambuddhāya (fully and correctly enlightened) Tadyathā (Speak thus) OM bhaisajye (medicine/healing) bhaisajye (medicine/healing) bhaisajya (medicine/healing) samudgate (path to enlightenment) Svāhā! (So be it)