Purification of the Temple Space

A temple representative walks up toward the altar.  The assembly makes a slight bow.  In bowing, we are connecting our head center to our heart center.  The approach toward the altar represents our entrance to the spiritual path.
The incense sticks are lighted and prayers are recited to purify the temple space, with the aid of sacred mantras and incense offerings.
At the end of the purification, the bell striker is passed on to the offciant of the English service.  As we are left to carry on, each one of us is the path itself.

Opening Silence

Let us have a few minutes of silence, during which we renew our compassion for all and rededicate ourselves toward enlightenment.

Opening Invocation

O Glorious Sakyamuni Buddha!
O Compassionate Bodhisattvas!
O Great Guardians of Humanity!
O Gracious Lords o Healing Holiness!

Who are Immortal Blest,
Who dwell in Tusita Heavens:

Come to our aid.

Charge and protect our temple space
with supreme healing energies.

Ever guide and guard us
on our path to enlightenment.

Opening Mantrams

Let us now chant the Tiratna Mantrams.

OM . . .                                               (Repeat)

While chanting OM, slowly raise joined palms from heart to forehead, then upward to slightly forward, then return to the heart center.

Buddham saranam gacchami           (Repeat)
[We take refuge in the Buddha]

Dhammam saranam gacchami        (Repeat)
[We take refuge in the teachings]

Sangam saranam gacchami             (Repeat)
[We take refuge in the Order]

OM . . .

Chanting the Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra

OM Man-i Pad-me HUM

(All together)    [voice pitch drops for underlines words]
Maha...Prajna...Paramita...Hridaya...Sutra ---__---

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

"Sariputra, 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."

"Sariputra, 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 forms, no feelings, perceptions, impulses, consciousness."

No eyes, no ears, no nose, no tongue, no body, no mind; no color, no sound, 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 originations, no stopping, no path, no cognition.  Also, no attainment, with nothing to attain.

The Bodhisattva depends of the Prajna Paramita, and his mind has no hindrance.  Without any hindrance, no fears exist.  Far apart from every perverted view, he 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 an is true, not false.  So proclaim the Prajna Paramita mantra, proclaim the mantra which say:

Gate, Gate, paragate, parasamgate, Bodhi Swaha                               (3 times)
[Gone, gone, gone beyond, gone far beyond, Enlightenment, Hail!]

Meditation

Some suggested pointers:
Respect the privacy of those around you.
During meditation, avoid observing others.
Observe the inner process of your own consciousness.
Feel peace.

We will now have 15 minutes of meditation.

For the first five minutes                           (First bell)
Physical body is relaxed.  Senses closed.        (Half smile)
Emotions are calm.                                         (Awareness of breath)
Mind is silent.                                                 (Within the breath, feel peace)

For the second five minutes                      (Second bell)
Enter into deep silence, empty, keenly alert and fully aware.

For the third five minutes                           (Third bell)
The healing part of the meditation.

We now come to the healing part of our meditation . . .

O Glorious Sakyamuni Buddha!
O Compassionate Bodhisattvas!
O Great Guardians of Humanity!
O Gracious Lords o Healing Holiness!

We offer you our wish for wholeness, happiness and peace in the uplifting of the world.

We ask you to heal these persons . . .
[During the healing, please keep repeating silently the following wish: May these persons be healed!]

O Glorious Sakyamuni Buddha!
O Compassionate Bodhisattvas!
O Great Guardians of Humanity!
O Gracious Lords o Healing Holiness!

We thank you for the gift
of your auspicious healing grace.

Dharma theme for the Week

A short inspirational talk with some helpful and practical comments.

Closing Silence

Let us have a few moments of silence for our closing.

We offer our gratitude to Glorious Sakyamuni Buddha, to all compassionate Bodhisattvas, Wisdom World Teachers, and Great Guardians of Humanity.

May all beings receive guidance and protection.

May all beings find the great way to enlightenment.

May all beings realize the highest wisdom.

And may these merits be extended to all, thus entering into spiritual freedom . . .

Namo  (3 times)
[Homage in the name of the Spiritual Hierarchy]

Santi    (3 times)
[Peace be to all]

OM       (3 times)
[Be it so]

END OF THE SERVICE  Question and Answer period.