ZEN BUDDHIST SUTRAS AND PRECEPTS
Texts for Sutra Chanting Services

Ma-ka han-nya ha-ra-mit-ta shin-gyô
A szív szútra
The Heart Sutra
Le sutra du coeur

THE FOUR GREAT VOWS
(Repeat Three Times)

Shigu Seigan-mon

SHU JO MU HEN SEI GAN DO
BON NO MU JIN SEI GAN DAN
HO MON MU RYO SEI GAN GAKU
BUTSU DO MU JO SEI GAN JO

The Four Universal Vows

However innumerable all beings are, I vow to save them all
However inexhaustible my delusions are, I vow to overcome them all
However immeasurable the Dharma Teachings are, I vow to fathom them all
The Buddha's Path is endless, I vow to follow it to its very end

*

However innumerable all beings are,
we vow to enlighten them;
However inexhaustible the passions are,
we vow to extinguish them;
However immeasurable the Dharmas are,
we vow to master them;
However incomparable the Buddha-Truth is,
we vow to attain it.

*

I will free
the limitless throng of life
I will cut
inexhaustible blinding rage
I will learn
imponderable gateways to truth
I will find
the incomparable way awake

*

Ordinary-beings are innumerable I vow to liberate them all
Defilements are endless I vow to eliminate them all
Buddha's teachings are unlimited I vow to learn them all
The ways of enlightenment are supreme I vow to achieve them all

*

I vow to liberate all ordinary-beings from my mind
I vow to eliminate all defilements from my mind
I vow to embrace every teaching of my self-nature
I vow to achieve the way of enlightenment from my self-nature

The Four Great Vows, Shigu Seigan-mon, are chanted last in the morning service (choka) and the afternoon service (banka). They are also chanted after teisho, after the lecture of the Roshi has ended.

DAI HI SHIN DHARANI
Dharani of the Great Compassionate One

NAMU KARA TAN NO TORA YA YA NAMU ORI YA BORYO KI CHI SHIFU RA YA FUJI SATO BO YA MOKO SATO BO YA MO KO KYA RUNI KYA YA EN SA HARA HA EI SHU TAN NO TON SHA NAMU SHIKI RI TOI MO ORI YA BORYO KI CHI SHIFU RA RIN TO BO NA MU NO RA KIN JI KI RI MO KO HO DO SHA MI SA BO O TO JO SHU BEN O SHU IN SA BO SA TO NO MO BO GYA MO HA TE CHO TO JI TO EN O BO RYO KI RU GYA CHI KYA RYA CHI I KIRI MO KO FUJI SA TO SA BO SA BO MO RA MO RA MO KI MO KI RI TO IN KU RYO KU RYO KE MO TO RYO TO RYO HO JA YA CHI MO KO HO JA YA CHI TO RA TO RA CHIRI NI SHIFU RA YA SHA RO SHA RO MO MO HA MO RA HO CHI RI U KI U KI SHI NO SHI NO ORA SAN FURA SHA RI HA ZA HA ZA FURA SHA YA KU RYO KU RYO MO RA KU RYO KU RYO KI RI SHA RO SHA RO SHI RI SHI RI SU RYO SU RYO FUJI YA FUJI YA FUDO YA FUDO YA MI CHIRI YA NORA KIN JI CHIRI SHUNI NO HOYA MONO SOMO KO SHIDO YA SOMO KO MOKO SHIDO YA SOMO KO SHIDO YU KI SHIFU RA YA SOMO KO NORA KIN JI SOMO KO MO RA NO RA SOMO KO SHIRA SU OMO GYA YA SOMO KO SOBO MOKO SHIDO YA SOMO KO SHAKI RA OSHI DO YA SOMO KO HODO MOGYA SHIDO YA SOMO KO NORA KIN JI HA GYARA YA SOMO KO MO HORI SHIN GYARA YA SOMO KO NAMU KARA TAN NO TORA YA YA NAMU ORI YA BORYO KI CHI SHIFU RA YA SOMO KO SHITE DO MODO RA HODO YA SO MO KO

SHO SAI MYO KICHIJYO DHARANI
Dharani of Removing Disaster

NO MO SAM MAN DA MOTO NAN OHA RA CHI KOTO SHA SONO NAN TO JI TO EN GYA GYA GYA KI GYA KI UN NUN SHIFU RA SHIFU RA HARA SHIFU RA HARA SHIFU RA CHISHU SA CHISHU SA CHISHU RI CHISHU RI SOHA JA SOHA JA SEN CHI GYA SHIRI E SOMO KO

Adoration to all the buddha's!
Adoration to the Teaching that knows no obstructions! Thus:
Om, Khya khya khyaji khyahi (speak, speak)!
Hum Hum!
Jvala jvala prajvala prajvala (blaze, blaze)!
Tistha tistha (up, up)! Stri stri (?)
Sphata (burst, burst)! One who is quiescent!
To the glorious one, hail!

SHO SAI MYO KICHIJO DARANI
Dharani of Good Fortune That Averts Calamities

NO MO SAN MAN DA MOTO NAN
Veneration to all Buddhas!

OHA RA CHI KOTO SHA SONO NAN
The incomparable Buddha-power that banishes suffering.

TO JI TO EN GYA GYA GYA KI GYA KI UN NUN
Om! The Buddha of reality, wisdom, Nirvana!

SHIFU RA SHIFU RA HARA SHIFU RA HARA SHIFU RA
Light! Light! Great light! Great light!

CHISHU SA CHISHU SA SHUSHI RI SHUSHI RI
With no categories, this mysterious power

SOHA JA SOHA JA SEN CHI GYA SHIRI E SOMO KO
saves all beings; suffering goes, happiness comes, Svaha!

EMMEI JIKKU KANNON GYO
TEN VERSE KANNON SUTRA OF TIMELESS LIFE

Recited at evening ceremonies on regular days, and during morning serives at sesshin.
A Rinzai sutra, it is also recited at some Soto centers in the West.

KANZEON
Kanzeon!

NAMU BUTSU
I venerate the Buddha;

YO BUTSU U IN
with the Buddha I have my source,

YO BUTSU U EN
with the Buddha I have affinity

BUP PO SO EN
affinity with Buddha, Dharma, Sangha,

JO RAKU GA JO
constancy, ease, the self, and purity.

CHO NEN KANZEON
Mornings my thought is Kanzeon,

BO NEN KANZEON
evenings my thought is Kanzeon,

NEN NEN JU SHIN KI
thought after thought arises in mind,

NEN NEN FU RI SHIN.
thought after thought is not separate from mind.

When I (a student of the Dharma) look at the real form of the universe,
all is the never-failing manifestation of the mysterious truth of Tathagata.
In any event, in any moment, and in any place,
none can be other than the marvellous revelation of its glorious light.

This realization made our founding teachers and virtuous Zen leaders extend tender care, with the heart of worshipping, to animals and birds, and indeed to all beings.
This realization teaches us that our daily food, drink, clothes, and protections of life
are the warm flesh and blood, the merciful incarnation of Buddha.
Who can be ungrateful or not respectful to each and every thing, as well as to human beings!

Even though someone may be a fool,
be warm and compassionate.
If by any chance such a person should turn against us,
become a sworn enemy and abuse and persecute us,
we should sincerely bow down with humble language,
in reverent belief that he or she is the merciful avatar of Buddha,
who uses devices to emancipate us from sinful karma
that has been produced and accumulated upon ourselves
by our own egoistic delusion and attachment
through countless cycles of kalpas.

Then on each moment's flash of our thought there will grow a lotus flower,
and on each lotus flower will be revealed a Buddha.
These Buddhas will glorify Sukhavati, the Pure Land, every moment and everywhere.

May we extend this mind over all beings
so that we and the world together
may attain maturity in Buddha's wisdom.

Dedication for Daily Early Morning Sutras

Our words ring out through space beyond the stars;
their qualities of virtue and compassion echo back from all the many beings;
we recite the "Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra" and the "Shosaimyo Kichijo Dharani"
for renewal of the Buddha-mind in fields and forests, homes and streets,
throughout the world, in grateful thanks to all our many guides along the ancient way,

*All Buddhas throughout space and time,
all Bodhisattvas, Mahasattvas,
the great Prajnaparamita.

First Sutra Service Dedication

Buddha-nature pervades the whole universe,
existing right here now.
With our reciting of "Maka Hannya Haramita Shingyo,"
"Shosaimyo Kichijo Dharani,"
let us unite with:

*The Ancient Seven Buddhas, Dai Osho,
Shakyamuni Buddha, Dai Osho,
Bodhidharma, Dai Osho,
Tozan Ryokai, Dai Osho,
Dogen Kigen, Dai Osho,
Keizan Jokin, Dai Osho,
Daiun Sogaku, Dai Osho,
Hakuun Ryoko, Dai Osho,
Koun Zenshin, Dai Osho,

All founding teachers, past, present, future, Dai Osho;
let true Dharma continue,
Sangha relations become complete;

*All Buddhas throughout space and time,
all Bodhisattvas, Mahasattvas,
the great Prajnaparamita.

Second Sutra Service Dedication

The Buddha and his teachers and his many sons and daughters
turn the Dhamma wheel to show the wisdom of the stones and clouds;
we dedicate the virtues of reciting Torei Zenji's "Bodhisattva's Vow"
and the "Enmei Jikku Kannon Gyo" to:
Choro Nyogen, Dai Osho,
Hannya Gempo, Dai Osho,
Mitta Soen, Dai Osho,
and to our relatives and companions of the past who rest in deepest samadhi,

*All Buddhas throughout space and time,
all Bodhisattvas, Mahasattvas,
the great Prajnaparamita.

At the Beginning of Evening Meetings

Infinite realms of light and dark convey the Buddha-Mind;
birds and trees and stars and we ourselves come forth in perfect harmony;
we recite our gatha and our sutra for the many beings of the world;
in grateful thanks to all our many guides along the ancient way,

*All Buddhas throughout space and time,
all Bodhisattvas, Mahasattvas,
the great Prajnaparamita.

At the End of the Evening During Sesshin

The sky of samadhi and the moonlight of wisdom are the temple of our practice;
our friends and family members guide us as we walk the ancient path;
we dedicate the virtues of reciting Hakuin Zenji's "Song of Zazen" to:
Rinzai Gigen, Dai Osho,
Hakuin Ekaku, Dai Osho,
and to the guardians of the Dharma and the protectors of our sacred hall,

*All Buddhas throughout space and time,
all Bodhisattvas, Mahasattvas,
the great Prajnaparamita.

Dedication of Sutras at the End of Sesshin

In the purity and clarity of the Dharmakaya,
in the fullness and perfection of the Sambogakaya,
in the infinite variety of the Nirmanakaya,
we dedicate the virtues of our sesshin and our reciting of "Maka Hannya Haramita Shingyo" to:
the Ancient Seven Buddhas, Dai Osho,
Shakyamuni Buddha, Dai Osho,
all Founding Teachers, past, present, future, Dai Osho;
and for the enlightenment of bushes and grasses and all the many beings of the world;
in grateful thanks to all our many guides along the ancient way,

*All Buddhas throughout space and time,
all Bodhisattvas, Mahasattvas,
the Great Prajnaparamita.

The Three Pure Precepts
(with commentaries from the Kyojukaimon)

Keep all precepts.
This is the cave where all Dharmas of all Buddhas arise.

Practise all good Dharma.
This is the root-origin whence all Buddhas and Dharmas arise.

Save the many beings.
The Dharma of the Supreme Way is the way to do and have done.

The Three Vows of Refuge
(with commentary from the Kyojukaimon)

I take refuge in the Buddha;
I take refuge in the Dharma;
I take refuge in the Sangha.

The Great Precepts of all the Buddhas have been maintained and protected by all the Buddhas. Buddhas hand them down to Buddhas, and Ancestral Teachers hand them down to Ancestral Teachers. Acceptance and observance of the Precepts transcends past, present, and future, and the perfect accord between the realization of teacher and disciple, and continues through all ages.

Our great teacher Shakyamuni Buddha imparted them to Mahakashyapa, and Mahakashyapa transmitted them to Ananda. Already the Precepts have passed through many generations in direct succession, reaching down to the present head of this temple.

Now, receiving the Great Precepts, I vow to requite my deep obligation to the Buddhas and Ancestral teachers. I pledge to establish these Precepts as essential teachings for human beings and all other beings so that eventually all will inherit the wisdom of the Buddha.

The Ten Grave Precepts
(with commentaries by Bodhidharma and Dogen Zenji)

1. Not Killing.

Bodhidharma: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the everlasting Dharma, not giving rise to the ideal of killing is called the Precept of Not Killing.

Dogen Zenji: The Buddha seed grows in accordance with not taking life. Transmit the life of Buddha's wisdom and do not kill.

2. Not Stealing.

Bodhidharma: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the unattainable Dharma, not having thoughts of gaining is called the Precept of Not Stealing.

Dogen Zenji: The self and things of the world are just as they are. The gate of emancipation is open.

3. Not Misusing Sex.

Bodhidharma: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the ungilded Dharma, not creating a veneer of attachment is called the Precept of Not Misusing Sex.

Dogen Zenji: The Three Wheels are pure and clear. When you have nothing to desire, you follow the way of all Buddhas.

4. Not Lying.

Bodhidharma: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the inexplicable Dharma, not preaching a single word is called the Precept of Not Lying.

Dogen Zenji: The Dharma Wheel turns from the beginning. There is neither surplus nor lack. The whole universe is moistened with nectar, and the truth is ready to harvest.

5. Not Giving or Taking Drugs.

Bodhidharma: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the intrinsically pure Dharma, not giving rise to delusions is called the Precept of Not Giving or Taking Drugs.

Dogen Zenji: Drugs are not brought in yet. Don't let them invade. That is the great light.

6. Not Discussing Faults of Others.

Bodhidharma: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the flawless Dharma, nor expounding upon error is called the Precept of Not Speaking of Faults of Others.

Dogen Zenji: In the Buddha Dharma, there is one path, one Dharma, one realization, one practice. Don't permit fault-finding. Don't permit haphazard talk.

7. Not Praising Yourself While Abusing Others.

Bodhidharma: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the equitable Dharma, not dwelling upon I against you is called the Precept of Not Praising Yourself while Abusing Others.

Dogen Zenji: Buddhas and Ancestral Teachers realize the empty sky and the great earth. When they manifest the noble body, there is neither inside nor outside in emptiness. When they manifest the Dharma body, there is not even a bit of earth on the ground.

8. Not Sparing the Dharma Assets.

Bodhidharma. Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the genuine, all-pervading Dharma, not being stingy about a single thing is called the Precept of Not Sparing the Dharma Assets.

Dogen Zenji: One phrase, one verse--that is the ten thousand things and one hundred grasses; one Dharma, one realization--that is all Buddhas and Ancestral Teachers. Therefore, from the beginning, there has been no stinginess at all.

9. Not Indulging in Anger.

Bodhidharma: Self-natue is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the selfless Dharma, not contriving reality for the self is called the Precept of Not Indulging in Anger.

Dogen Zenji: Not advancing, not retreating, not real, not empty. There is an ocean of bright clouds. There is an ocean of solemn clouds.

10. Not Defaming the Three Treasures.

Bodhidharma: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the One, nor holding nihilistic concepts of ordinary beings and sages is called the Precept of Not Defaming the Three Treasures.

Dogen Zenji: The teisho of the actual body is the harbour and the weir. This is the most important thing in the world. Its virtue finds its home in the ocean of essential nature. It is beyond explanation. We just accept it with respect and gratitude.

 

External Links

Soto School Scriptures
for Daily Services and Practice
(Sôtôshu nikka gongyô seiten)

Part One: Texts for Sutra Chanting Services

Verse of the "Universal Gateway" Chapter (Fumonbon ge)

Great Compassion Dharani (Daihishu)

Disaster Preventing Dharani (Shôsaishu)

Heart Sutra (Hannya shingyô)

Harmony of Difference and Equality (Sandôkai)

Precious Mirror Samadhi (Hôkyô zanmai)

Verse of the "Life Span" Chapter (Juryôbon ge)

Victor's Dharani (Sonshô darani)

Ambrosia Gate (Kanromon)

Part Two: Eko for Sutra Chanting Services

Morning Service (chôka fugin)

Buddha Hall Sutra Chanting (butsuden fugin)
Sutra Chanting for the Arhats (ôgu fugin)
Ancestors Hall Sutra Chanting (sodô fugin)
Sutra Chanting for Founding and Former Abbots (kaisan rekiju fugin)
Mortuary Hall Sutra Chanting (shidô fugin)

Abbreviated Morning Service (ryaku chôka fugin)

Sutra Chanting for Repaying Blessings (hôon fugin)
Sutra Chanting for All Spirits (banrei fugin)

Kitchen Sutra Chanting (sôkô fugin)

Midday Sutra Chanting (nicchu fugin)

Evening Sutra Chanting (banka fugin)

Prayers Sutra Chanting (shukutô fugin)

Sutra Chanting For Tutelary Deities (chinju fugin)

Sutra Chanting For Idaten (idaten fugin)

Offering to the Main Object of Veneration (honzon jôgu)

Sutra Chanting for Mortuary Hall Patrons (shidô danna fugin)

Sutra Chanting for Patron's Ancestors (dannotsu senmô ruidai fugin)

Part Three: Verses and Texts for Other Occasions

A. Verses

Verse of Homage to Buddha's Relics (Shariraimon)

Sutra Opening Verse (Kaikyôge)

Robe Verse (Takkesage)

Repentance Verse (Sangemon)

Three Refuges Verse (Sankiemon)

Three Refuges Prayer (Sankiraimon)

Verse in Worship of the Three Venerable Ones (Sanzon raimon)

Prostrations Verse (Raihai ge)

Four Vows (Shigusei ganmon)

Formal Meal Verses (Gyôhatsu nenju)

Bath Verse (Nyuyoku no ge)

Face Washing Verse (Senmen no ge)

B. Eko

Abbreviated Transfer of Merit to Lay People (zaike ryaku ekô)

Transfer of Merit at a Lay Person's Grave (zaike bozen ekô)

Universal Transference of Merit (fuekô)

C. Other Texts

Universally Recommended Instructions for Zazen (Fukan zazengi)

Meaning of Practice and Verification (Shushôgi)