Short phrases to help focus the mind
Mantras
Most of these mantras have been simplified from more complicated forms.
They should be recited one syllable at a time, as though accompanied by a drum, thus:
Na-mo O-mi-to-fo, etc.
In fact, they may be used at home to a drum accompaniment.
Another practice, only touched on here, is to recite the attributes of the Bodhisattvas and Buddhas, such as (for Amitabha):
Praise to you, Buddha of Infinite Light and Infinite Life! etc.
The pilgrim can work out more of such phrases on her or his own.
It is also acceptable to use such words as "Hail" "Praise" or "Homage to" in place of the ancient Indian (and Chinese) Namo within the other mantras.
Each mantra is given in a Chinese, a Sanskrit, and one or more English versions.
--------
Praise to the Temple Guardians
Namo Wei Tuo P'u Sa
Namo Sangharama Bodhisattva
Praise to you, Protector of the Buddha's teachings and Guardian of all who would learn them!
Namo Chien Lan P'u Sa
Namo Skandha Bodhisattva
Praise to you, Protector of monasteries and Guardian of all who live in them!
--------
Praise to the Bodhisattvas
Namo Pu Hsien P'u Sa
Namo Samantabhadra Bodhisattva
Praise to you, Bodhisattva of Universal Virtue!
Praise to you, Bodhisattva of the Great Practice!
Namo Ti Tsang Wang P'u Sa
Namo Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva
Praise to you, Earth Store Bodhisattva!
Praise to you, Bodhisattva of the Great Vow!
Namo Mi-le-fo
Namo Maitreya Bodhisattva
Praise to you, Buddha-to-come!
Praise to you, Bodhisattva of Great Benevolence!
Namo Kuan Shih Yin P'u Sa
Namo Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
Praise to you, One Who Hears the Cries of the World!
Praise to you, Bodhisattva of Great Compassion!
Namo Wen Shu P'u Sa
Namo Manjusri Bodhisattva
Praise to you, Gentle Glory Boddhisattva!
Praise to you, Bodhisattva of Great Wisdom!
Praise to the Four Kings
Namo Mo-Li Hung, Namo Zeng Zhang Tian Wang
Namo Virudhaka Devaraja
Praise to you, Great Heavenly King of the South Who Defends Truth and Controls Evil!
Namo Mo-Li Ching, Namo Chi Guo Tian Wang
Namo Dhrtarastra Devaraja
Praise to you, Great Heavenly King of the East Who Brings Ease and Creates Harmony!
Namo Mo-Li Shou, Namo Duo Wen Tian Wang
Namo Vaisravana Devaraja
Praise to you, Great Heavenly King of the North Who Knows All and Protects Everyone!
Namo Mo-Li Hai, Namo Guang Mu Tian Wang
Namo Virupaksa Devaraja
Praise to you, Great Heavenly King of the West Who Sees All and Brings the Serpent-Power!
Praise to the Three Buddhas
Namo Shakyamuni Buddha
Namo Shijiamouni Fo
Praise to you, Great Sage of the Shakya Clan!
Praise to you, Great Buddha of the Wisdom of the Mind!
Namo Amitabha Buddha
Namo Omito Fo
Praise to you, Great Buddha of Infinite Light and Infinite Life!
Praise to you, Great Buddha of the Progress of the Spirit!
Namo Bhaishajyaguru Buddha
Namo Yaoshi Fo
Praise to you, Great Medicine Buddha!
Praise to you, Great Buddha of the Healing of the Body!
Intentions
Like the mantras, these may be repeated while walking.
"The Bodhisattva Path"
The Bodhisattva Path is the way of Compassion.
The Bodhisattva Path is the way of Purity.
The Bodhisattva Path is the way of Wisdom.
The Bodhisattva Path is the way of Total Commitment.
The Universal Vows
Sentient beings are numberless; I vow to save them.
Desires are inexhaustible; I vow to put an end to them.
The Buddha's teachings are boundless; I vow to master them.
The Buddha Way is endless; I vow to follow it.
or this:
I vow to wake the beings of the world.
I vow to set endless heartache to rest.
I vow to walk through every wisdom gate.
I vow to live the great Buddha way.
or this:
I vow to save an infinite number of beings.
I vow to cut off an infinite number of afflictions resulting from passions.
I vow to study an infinite number of gates to the law.
I vow to attain Supreme Buddhahood.
From The Diamond Sutra
This world is empty, and all things change,
Impermanent as a shooting star, or the Morning Star at Dawn;
Like a bubble in a stream, or a fleeting night's dream,
Like a candle-flame that sputters and is gone.
"Taking Refuge"
I take refuge in the Buddha;
I take refuge in the Dharma (the Buddha's teachings);
I take refuge in the Sangha (the community of Buddhists).
The Six Paramitas (Perfections)
I seek Perfection in Generosity.
I seek Perfection in Morality.
I seek Perfection in Patience.
I seek Perfection in Effort.
I seek Perfection in Meditation.
I seek Perfection in Wisdom.
Return to the Buddha Hall ||| INDEX |||
No comments:
Post a Comment