1. Triple Invocation
Namo Sakyamuni BuddhaNamo Sakyamuni BuddhaNamo Sakyamuni Buddha
2. Sutra Opening Gatha
This unsurpassed, profound and wondrous Dharma,
Which is hard to encounter in countless kalpas;
Now that I can see, hear, and am able to uphold it,
I vow to attain the Tathagata’s true teachings.
3. Start to Transcribe Sutra
4. A Prayer for the People Who Transcribe Sutras and Hear the Dharma
Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
We would like to pray for those who transcribe sutras and hear the Dharma.
Please help us obtain our Chan delight and Dharma joy;
Please help us understand the teaching of carefreeness.
We pledge to follow your instructions and do our best to realize your Truth.
From now on, we will strive to practice the Buddha-Dharma.
Oh Buddha,
Please grant us mental and physical health;
Please grant us family harmony;
Please grant us professional success;
Please grant us life’s happiness.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
You have given us the sweet nectar of Dharma spring,
You have given us the beacon of Truth,
You have given us the cane of faith,
You have given us the ferry of emancipation,
You have given us the compass of direction,
You have given us the truth of liberation.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
We pray that the masses who transcribe sutras and hear the Dharma
can realize your teachings and respectfully fulfill your instructions.
Furthermore,
We pray that everyone can share the Dharma and Dharma joy
with relatives and friends;
Can share the Dharma and Dharma joy with colleagues in the workplace.
May we come together to purify our minds;
May we come together to beautify our society.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
Today, in spite of advances in science and technology,
and an abundance of material resources,
The desire for material goods still overflows everywhere;
Public morality is tainted;
vexations continue to flourish;
crimes increase daily;
We have not been at ease,
We have not been at peace.
Oh great Buddha,
Please bless and support us in understanding cause and effect
and karmic retribution clearly;
Please bless and support us in exalting loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity;
Please bless and support us in upholding the Five Precepts
and the Ten Wholesome Deeds;
Please bless and support us in practicing the Six Paramitas.
We hope to dedicate the merits of transcribing the sutras
to all beings in the dharma realms;
May we all seek and realize supreme Enlightenment.
Oh, Buddha,
we pray for your great blessings and protection:
May our government run smoothly,
and the people enjoy peace;
May our country be prosperous and the people live in happiness;
May we have favorable weather,
society be plentiful and populous and all people in good welfare;
May our economy prosper,
progress and grow steadily;
May our people live and work in peace and contentment,
Enjoy good fortune and all their wishes fulfilled.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
Please accept our sincerest prayer!
Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
Please accept our sincerest prayer!
Namo Sakyamuni Buddha
5. Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem
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 sutra diligently Obtain an ocean of wisdom
I take refuge in the Sangha Wishing that all sentient being Lead the masses in harmony Without obstruction
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.