MORNING RECITATIONS
At the appointed hour, the signal is sounded and all monks form a processional outside the Great Shrine Hall. All monks are dressed in both full sleeved robe and kesa. The order of procession is fixed by tradition with the Rector (Tso Yuan) being the first to enter. He is followed by the Western Ranks. Next comes the Succentor (Yueh Chung) who is followed by the Eastern Ranks. The last one to enter is the Abbot, who takes his place at the left side of the door. The Proctor will stand in a position opposite by the right door, and, when all are inside, the Recitations begin.
INCENSE HYMN
Before taking his place in the ranks, the Abbot OR the Rector will stand directly in front of the altar. The Precentor will then signal for three strokes of the Great Ch”ing, and all in the assembly make three bows to the Buddha. Still standing in front of the altar, the Abbot (or the Rector) now lifts the Precious Tripod for the singing of the Incense Hymn. When the Hymn is completed the Precious Tripod is replaced on the altar and the Abbot (or Rector) takes his correct place.
ALL
Precious, Tripod! Burning, Rare Incense, Reaching Everywhere in the Ten Directions! This is a sincere offering to the King of Dharma Attainment! It is also fitting and proper that we pray for the happiness and longevity of the people: May they be on Earth a long time and in Heaven even longer! It is also fitting and proper that we pray for the happiness and longevity of the people: May they be on Earth a long time and in Heaven even longer!
Give Praise to the Fragrant Cloud Covered Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas!
Give Praise to the Fragrant Cloud Covered Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas!
Give Praise to the Fragrant Cloud Covered Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas!
GATHA FOR OPENING SUTRAS
The Precentor (Wei No) strikes the Great Ch”ing and intones:
PRECENTOR
The incomparable and profoundly exquisite Dharma!
ALL
It is rare that it can be met with, even in hundreds of thousands of millions of ages!
We are now permitted to see it! We are now permitted to hear it!
We are now permitted to accept it! We are now permitted to hold it!
May we truly understand the meaning of these words of the Tathagata!
THE SURANGAMA MANTRA
Praising the Surangama Assembly
PRECENTOR
Give Praise!
ALL
To the Surangama Assembly of Great Buddhas and Bodhisattvas!
Give Praise to the Surangama Assembly of Great Buddhas and Bodhisattvas!
Give Praise to the Surangama Assembly of Great Buddhas and Bodhisattvas!
The Dharani of Aryacalanatha
PRECENTOR
Throughout the ages, it is the rarely heard virtue of the Surangama that enables a Buddha to overcome every obstacle.
ALL
It dispels my one hundred million eons of upside-down views, and by its Power, this uncalculating monk can revere and obtain the Dharmakaya. I now resolve to obtain its fruit and become a Precious King; thus, I can repay the Buddha by saving the numberless assembly. I shall protect this Profound Mind, and yet also receive with respect the field of qualities. This Correct Living is called "the activity that repays the Buddha”s Blessings."
We humbly request that the Lord of the World bear witness to this Vow of Wisdom:
In the Five Periods of the Evil World, I swear to begin entering into True Thusness, so that in the end, one and all living beings become Buddha. Finally, I will not from this practice and wisdom grasp Nirvana until this has been accomplished.
Greatly Heroic! Greatly Powerful! Greatly Merciful and Compassionate One!
It is also rare that one can examine and get rid of small subtle doubts, so, this morning I will advance the Unsurpassed Bodhi-Mind to the Ten Directions and also the underlying principle of this Ch”an Mountain: Sunyata”s Unchanging Nature can dispel and end the turning of the Wheel …
《[早課] Morning Recitations (late Ven· Shih Shen-Lung(Ryugen Fisher)》全文未完，請進入下頁繼續閱讀…