A Buddhist Service

developed by Dharmajim Wilson

By the infinite number of enlightening ones in all the multiverses
We meet
In gratitude we meet

By the sun and moon
We meet
In gratitude we meet

By the planets and stars
We meet
In gratitude we meet

By the wind and rain
We meet
In gratitude we meet

By the birds of the air
The beasts of the land
And the creatures of the sea
We meet
In gratitude we meet

By the forests and grasses
We meet
In gratitude we meet

By the oceans and rivers
We meet
In gratitude we meet

By the grace of our ancestors
The benevolence of the lineage
And the kindness of all people
We meet
In gratitude we meet

In perfect freedom
In perfect trust
In perfect joy
And perfect love
We meet in the endless circle of compassion
In gratitude we meet

As the unborn one
And as the unborn many
As the glittering, radiant, star filled night
And the brilliant sun drenched day
Dusk and dawn
Shadow and light
Silence and music
Stillness and dance
Winter wind and spring blossoms
The new born babe and the wrinkled corpse
Dust and rivers
Galaxies and spider webs

Numberless the manifestations of compassion
Unborn the origin and the end
Endless the tears of compassion
Endless the laughter of compassion
And herein lies the secret of the circle of compassion;
Only, that if we do not discover the compassion within,
All of our seeking without shall end in vain.

For truly, compassion is the whole of the Dharma,
From before the beginning of time,
Throughout all space,
Permeating all realms,
The endless release of the song of compassion.

We take refuge in the Enlightened Ones.
We take refuge in their teachings.
We take refuge in our spiritual friends.

Buddham saranam gachchami.
Dhammam saranam gachchami.
Sangham saranam gachchami.

We take refuge in the Buddha.
We take refuge in the Dharma.
We take refuge in the Sangha.

We take this moment to recall

I am of a nature to grow old.
I am of a nature to become ill.
I am of a nature to die.
I must at some time be separated from all that I hold dear.
I am the heir of my own deeds.
I am of a nature to become enlightened.

I am not the only one to grow old;
    all are of a nature to grow old.
I am not the only one to become ill;
    all are of a nature to become ill.
I am not the only one to die;
    all are of a nature to die.
I am not the only one who must be separated from all that is dear;
    all are of a nature to be separated from all they hold dear.
I am not the only one who is the heir to my own deeds;
    all are heirs of their own deeds.
I am not the only one who will become enlightened;
    all will become enlightened.

The way appears,

The path emerges.

We take this moment to contemplate our good fortune in having a sound mind and body.

We take this moment to contemplate our good fortune in having good parents.

We take this moment to contemplate our good fortune in all the teachers we have had.

We take this moment to contemplate our good fortune in living in a time and place of relative peace and prosperity. Such an auspicious time and place is very rare.

We take this opportunity to contemplate our good fortune at encountering the Dharma, the Way to liberation and the cessation of all sorrow.

Such a combination of good fortunes is very rare, very difficult to find.

Realizing this, we will not waste this opportunity.

Realizing this, we dedicate ourselves to comprehending and realizing transcendent wisdom and infinite compassion.

Whatever harmful, negative or destructive deeds
others have done to me,
Through body, speech, or mind,
Intentionally or unintentionally,
I do hereby forgive those deeds,
I do hereby release those deeds to the understanding and
compassion of the enlightening ones.

With every act of caring the way grows smoother.

We rejoice in every act of kindness,

great or small,
near or far,
known or unknown,
ordinary or extraordinary.

great or small,
near or far,
known or unknown,
ordinary or extraordinary.

Day after day,
Week after week,
Month after month,
Year after year,
Life after life,

May all sentient existence be free from suffering and the causes of suffering.

May good fortune fill all the days of all the lives of all sentient existence.

May all sentient existence dwell forever in the limitless realm of the everpresent peaceful heart and serene mind.

Sentient beings are numberless, I vow to save them all.

The hindrances are inexhaustible, I vow to extinguish them all.

The teachings are innumerable, I vow to learn them all.

The way of the Bodhisattva is unattainable, I vow to attain it.

The way of the Buddha is unsurpassable, I vow to realize it.

Whatever merit we have earned,
from today’s contemplations,
we do hereby freely offer this merit,
to all sentient existence.

Dharmajim hopes that you enjoy his Sutra Salon. If you have comments or questions, please feel free to post them at the Dharma House Blog.