a.
Face
shrine, scroll, tangka or Buddha image.
b. Palms in gassho (in reverence) with mallas (meditation beads) wrapped around hands.
Sit in chair or cushion.
b. Ring bell (three times and then bow)
c.
The
Candle and Incense Offering.
Do one or both
of the following:
I. Light the Wisdom
Candle and recite:
Mindful of the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, I calmly light this candle,
brightening the face
of the Earth.
(bell & bow)
II. Light the incense and recite:
In gratitude & joy, I offer this incense
to Amida, Buddha of Eternal Life and Light, the Teacher of Gods and humans,
The Sovereign of all worlds.
May the fragrance
of this incense,
Help manifest in my heart and mind,
The fruit of understanding.
(bell & bow)
e. Chant the Three Jewels:
Buddham Saranam Gacchami.
Dhammam Saranam Gacchami.
Sangham
Saranam Gacchami.
I take refuge in Buddha
I take refuge in Dharma
I take refuge in Sangha (bell)
Bow 3 times in full prostration if you are physically able to do so. If you can not bow in full prostration
just do so up to your mid-waist.
f. Visualize
Buddha or the living light of Amida before you as you chant the Buddha Name (nembutsu) 3 times in faith.
g.
If time permits try to do zen (sitting) meditation on a meditation pillow or chair for 10-15
minutes.
h. Close the Observance by reciting The Five Remembrances and/or The Prayer of Metta-karuna.
Buddhist Prayers
I. The Five
Remembrances
I
am of the nature to grow old.
There is no way to escape growing old.
I am of the nature to have ill health.
There
is no way to escape having ill health.
I am of the nature to die.
There is no way to escape death.
All that is dear
to me and everyone I love,
Are of the nature to change.
There is no way to escape,
Being separated from them.
My actions are my only true belongings.
I cannot escape,
The consequences of my actions.
My actions are the ground on which I stand.
By relying on the compassion of
the Buddha,
The wisdom of the Dharma,
The fellowship of the Sangha,
May I discover my true nature,
And liberate
others beings
And myself from Samsara.
Namo Amida Buddha. (bell)
II. The Prayer of Metta-karuna is a beautiful and powerful
Pure Land prayer adapted from the 13th century Buddhist
saint, Shantideva. Recite it with palms in gassho and with mallas wrapped around hands.
O Amida,
Oneness of Life and Light,
Entrusting in your Great Compassion,
May you shed
the foolishness in myself,
Transforming me into your conduit of Eternal Love.
May I be a medicine for the sick and weary,
Nursing
their afflictions until they are cured;
May I become food and drink,
During time of famine,
May I protect the helpless and the poor,
May I be a lamp,
For
those who need your Light,
May I be a bed for those who need rest,
and guide all seekers to the Other Shore.
May
all find happiness through my actions,
and let no one suffer because of me.
Whether they love or hate me,
Whether
they hurt or wrong me,
May they all obtain true entrusting,
Through Other Power,
and realize Supreme Nirvana.
Namo
Amida Buddha. (bell if available)
i. Ring bell (three
times & then bow)
j. Throughout the day, become aware of
and entrust in Great Compassion, which surrounds and penetrates you and all beings. Let the feeling of gratitude and compassion
arise from within you and recite the Buddha Name.
Buddhist Mealtime Prayer
During breakfast,
lunch, snack time and dinner, practitioners should recite either vocally or in the mind the Prayer of Mealtime Thanksgiving.
O Amida, Oneness of Life and Light,
This
food is the gift of the whole universe,
Each morsel is a sacrifice of life,
May I be worthy to receive it.
May the
energy in this food,
Give me the strength,
To transform my unwholesome qualities Into wholesome ones.
I am grateful for this food,
I accept this sacrifice,
May I realize the Path of Awakening
and Love, for the sake of all beings.
Namo Amida Buddha.
