Evening Devotion

The ringing of a bell (X) will indicate a prostration or a profound bow (deep gassho) when standing and a simple gassho when seated.

Han Roll (x3)

The following verse may be recited silently between han rolls:

All evil I have ever committed from of old, On account of my beginningless greed, hatred, and delusion, Whether in thought, word, or deed, I now earnestly repent. (Gatha of Repentance)

Those who are able should stand before the final strike of the han.

Incense Offering with Prostrations

We take refuge in the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the Prajna assembly. (X)
We take refuge in the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the Prajna assembly. (X)
We take refuge in the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the Prajna assembly. (X)

All are seated.

Heart Sutra

Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
when practicing deeply the Prajna Paramita
perceives that all five skandhas are empty
and is saved from all suffering and distress.

Shariputra,
form does not differ from emptiness,
emptiness does not differ from form.
That which is form is emptiness,
that which is emptiness form.
The same is true of feelings,
perceptions, impulses, consciousness.

Shariputra,
all dharmas are marked with emptiness;
they do not appear or disappear,
are not tainted or pure,
do not increase or decrease.
Therefore, in emptiness no form, no feelings,
perceptions, impulses, consciousness.
No eyes, no ears, no nose,
no tongue, no body, no mind; no color, no sound, no smell,
no taste, no touch, no object of mind;
no realm of eyes
and so forth until no realm of mind consciousness.
No ignorance and also no extinction of it,
and so forth until no old age and death
and also no extinction of them.
No suffering, no origination,
no stopping, no path, no cognition,
also no attainment with nothing to attain.

The Bodhisattva depends on Prajna Paramita
and the mind is no hindrance;
without any hindrance no fears exist.
Far apart from every perverted view one dwells in Nirvana.
In the three worlds all Buddhas depend on Prajna Paramita
and attain Anuttara Samyak Sambodhi.

Therefore, know that Prajna Paramita
is the great transcendent mantra
is the great bright mantra,
is the utmost mantra,
is the supreme mantra,
which is able to relieve all suffering
and is true, not false.

So proclaim the Prajna Paramita mantra,
proclaim the mantra which says:

gate, gate, paragate, parasamgate, bodhi svaha
gate, gate, paragate, parasamgate, bodhi svaha
gate, gate, paragate, parasamgate, bodhi svaha.

Maha Prajna Paramitta

Maha prajna paramitta. (X)
Maha prajna paramitta. (X)
Maha prajna paramitta. (X)

Praise of Buddha

In heaven and on earth none resembles Buddha,
In all worlds everywhere none compares.
Everywhere in the world I have seen without exception,
There is nothing whatsoever like Buddha.

Homage to the Guide of this Saha world and the three realms,
Benevolent master of all beings, founder of our practice,
Our original Teacher, in three categories of transformation,
Shakyamuni Buddha.

All stand.

Shakyamuni Refuge

We take refuge in our Original Teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha.
We take refuge in our Original Teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha.

Shakyamuni Tathagata. (X)
Shakyamuni Tathagata. (X)

The Sublime Desires

May all living beings be happy.
May all living beings be free from ill will.
May all living beings be free from oppression.
May all living beings be free from trouble.
May all living beings look after themselves with ease.
May all living beings be freed from all suffering and pain.
May all living beings enjoy good fortune.

May we realize that all living beings are:
the owners of their actions,
heir to their actions,
born of their actions,
related through their actions.
Whatever they do, for good or for evil,
to that will they fall heir.

May all share in the blessings springing from all the good they have done.

The Three Refuges with Prostrations

I take refuge in the Buddha, the Teacher of the Truth, and I wish that all sentient beings might awaken to the Great Path and make the ultimate resolution. (X)

I take refuge in the Dharma, the Truth, and I wish that all sentient beings might delve into the sutras, their wisdom deep as the ocean. (X)

I take refuge in the Sangha, the Community of those dedicated to the Truth, and I wish that all sentient beings might be brought together in great harmony, without any obstructions at all. (X)

The Three Pure Precepts

I vow to do no harm.
I vow to cultivate goodness.
I vow to serve others.

The Ten Grave Precepts

I will not kill;
I will show reverence for life.

I will not steal;
I will be mindful of greed and will take only what is freely given.

I will not misuse sex;
I will practice self-control and respect for others.

I will not speak falsehood;
I will speak the truth in love.

I will not misuse intoxicants;
I will be sober and controlled in my thinking.

I will not discuss the faults of others;
I will consider my own faults and protect others’ reputations.

I will not be proud and humiliate others;
I will practice humility and consider others before myself.

I will not be selfish;
I will practice sacrifice and generosity.

I will not indulge my anger;
I will subdue anger with patience, mercy, and compassion.

I will not defame the Three Treasures;
I will honor the Truth with my thoughts, words, and deeds.

All are seated.

Sutra or Koan

Before the Reading… The Dharma, incomparably profound and infinitely subtle,
Is rarely encountered, even in millions of ages.
Now we see it, hear it, receive and maintain it.
May we fully realize the Tathagata’s true meaning. (X)
(Opening the Sutra Gatha)

[Sermon and/or Discussion]

All stand.

Bodhisattva Vows

Creatures are numberless.	Creatures are numberless.
I vow to save them all.	I vow to save them all.
Delusions are inexhaustible.	Delusions are inexhaustible.
I vow to break them all.	I vow to break them all.
Dharma gates are immeasurable.	Dharma gates are immeasurable.
I vow to enter them all.	I vow to enter them all.
The Way of the Buddha is unsurpassed.	The Way of the Buddha is unsurpassed.
I vow to fully realize it.	I vow to fully realize it.

Transfer of Merit

I vow to cleanse myself of the three poisons and their ill effects.
I vow to attain wisdom and true understanding.
I vow to overcome all obstacles and remove all calamity in the universe.
I vow to walk the Bodhisattva path.

May our practice be for the good of all sentient beings, especially the venerable patrons and founders of this sangha and those we name now… (names of those for whom requests have been made).

May our practice bring honor to our spiritual ancestors, especially…

Hui Neng Chanshi
Linji Yichuan
Hsu Yun Chanshi
Jy Din Chanshi
Chuan Zhi Shakya
Fa Lhong Shakya
Fa Dao Shakya

Three Prostrations

All Buddhas throughout space and time,
All Bodhisattva Mahasattvas:

Maha Prajna Paramita. (X)
Maha Prajna Paramita. (X)
Maha Prajna Paramita. (X)

The altar is closed.

Closing Verse

Let me respectfully remind you:
Life and death are of supreme importance.
Time passes swiftly and opportunity is lost.
Make every effort to awaken.
Awaken!
Take heed!
Do no squander your life.