Chanting

We often the chant following chants as part of our practice:

Evening Chant (before sitting meditation)

With posture upright and solid, we are seated at the foot of the bodhi tree.
Body, speech, and mind are one, in stillness, there is no more thought of right and wrong.
Our mind and body dwell in perfect mindfulness.
We rediscover our original nature, leaving the shore of illusion behind.
Noble Sangha, diligently bring your mind into meditation.
Namo Shakyamunaye Buddhaya
Namo Shakyamunaye Buddhaya
Namo Shakyamunaye Buddhaya

Opening Verse

[Bell, Bell, Bell]
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhassa
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhassa
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhassa
[Bell]

The Dharma is deep and lovely.
We now have a chance to see, study, and practice it.
We vow to realize its true meaning.
[Bell]

The Heart of Perfect Understanding (The Heart Sutra / Prajnaparamita)

The Bodhisattva Avalokita,
while moving in the deep course of Perfect Understanding,
shed light on the Five Skandhas and found them equally empty.
After this penetration, he overcame ill-being.
[Bell]

Listen, Shariputra,
for is emptiness, and emptiness is form.
Form is not other than emptiness, emptiness is not other than form.
The same is true with feelings, perceptions, mental formations,
and consciousness.
[Bell]

Listen, Shariputra,
all dharmas are marked with emptiness.
They are neither produced nor destroyed,
neither defiled nor immaculate,
neither increasing nor decreasing.
Therefore in emptiness there is neither form, nor feelings, nor perceptions,
nor mental formations, nor consciousness.
No eye, or ear, or nose, or tongue, or body, or mind.
No realms of elements (from eyes to mind consciousness),
no interdependent origins, and no extinction of them
(from ignorance to death and decay).
No ill-being, no cause of ill-being, no end of ill-being, and no path.
No understanding and no attainment.
[Bell]

Because there is no attainment,
the Bodhisattvas, grounded in Perfect Understanding,
find no obstacles for their minds.
Having no obstacles, they overcome fear,
liberating themselves forever from illusion, realizing perfect nirvana.
All Buddhas in the past, present, and future,
thanks to this Perfect Understanding,
arrive at full, right, and universal enlightenment.
[Bell]

Therefore one should know
that Perfect Understanding is the highest mantra, the unequaled mantra,
the destroyer of ill-being, the incorruptible truth.
A mantra of Prajnaparamita should therefore be proclaimed:

Gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha
Gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha
Gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha
[Bell, Bell]

Sharing the Merit

Reciting the Sutras, practicing the way of awareness
gives rise to benefits without limit.
We vow to share the fruits with all beings.
We vow to offer tribute to parents, teachers, friends,
and numerous beings
who give guidance and support along the path.
[Bell, Bell, Bell]

Dedication of Merit

Friend 1) Dedication of merit.

(Friend 2) May the merits of this practice, benefit all beings and bring peace.

(Friend 1) Dedication of merit.

(Friend 2) May the merits of this practice, benefit all beings and bring peace.

(Friend 1) Dedication of merit.

(Friend 2) May the merits of this practice, benefit all beings and bring peace.

(Friend 1) We especially dedicate the merit of our practice to…

(Friend 2)  Says the names out loud

(Friend 1) May they all know peace.