Chanting Service Procedure

1. Ode to the Triple Gem

Namo Buddhaya
Namo Dharmaya
Namo Sanghaya
Namo Triple Gem

You are our savior
You are our truth
You are our teacher
You are our light

Homage to you
I believe in you
I respect you
Namo Buddhaya
Namo Dharmaya
Namo Sanghaya

2. Homage to Sakyamuni Buddha

Namo Sakyamuni Buddha (x3)

3. Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra

Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, while contemplating profoundly the Prajna Paramita,
Realized that the five skandhas are empty, and thus he was able to overcome all suffering.
Sariputra, form is not different from emptiness. Emptiness is not different from form.
Form is in fact emptiness, and emptiness is in fact form.
This also applies to feeling, perception, volition, and consciousness.

Sariputra, emptiness is the nature of all dharmas.
It can neither be created nor annihilated, polluted nor cleansed, increased nor decreased.
Therefore, in emptiness there is no form, feeling, perception, volition, or consciousness.
No eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, or mind.
No form, sound, smell, taste, touch, or conception.
No object of sight, and no consciousness.
No ignorance, nor its extinction;
No aging and no death, nor their cessation.
No suffering, causes, cessation, nor the path.
No wisdom nor attainment.
As there is nothing to attain, a bodhisattva who relies on the Prajna Paramita
has neither worry nor obstruction.
Without worry and obstruction, there is no fear, away from confusion, daydreaming,
and thus reaches Nirvana.
Buddhas of the past, present, and future also rely on
the Prajna Paramita to attain Supreme Enlightenment.

Thus, one should know that Prajna Paramita is the great mantra,
the mantra of illumination and the supreme of all mantras.
It is an unequalled mantra and able to emancipate all suffering. This is true and not false.
Thus in proclaiming the Prajna Paramita Mantra, one says,
Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhi Svaha.

4. Taking Refuge

I take refuge in the Buddha,
Wishing that all sentient beings,
Understand the Dharma
And make the supreme vow.

I take refuge in the Dharma,
Wishing that all sentient beings,
Study the sutras diligently
Obtain an ocean of wisdom.

I take refuge in the Sangha,
Wishing that all sentient beings,
Lead the masses in harmony
Without obstructions.

5. Prayer

6. Dedication of Merits

May kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity pervade all worlds,
May we cherish and build affinities to benefit all beings,
May Chan, Pure Land, and Precept inspire equality and patience,
May our humility and gratitude give rise to great vows.