66. Cover The Ceremony Of Buddha Birthday

THE CEREMONY OF BUDDHA BIRTHDAY

Composed by Bhikṣuṇī TN Giới Hương

THE FIRST WORDS

Every day Nuns and Buddhists at Hương Sen Buddhist Temple, California, USA, have practiced and recited following the Vietnamese scripture, “Nghi Lễ Hàng Ngày – 50 Kinh Tụng và các Lễ Vía trong Năm” (Daily Chanting – Fifty Discourses and Annual Festivals) of the Pureland Sect, which was composed in 2021 by Bhikkhunī Thích Nữ Giới Hương. It is based on the original ritual of her late Master, the Venerable Elder Hải Triều Âm at Liên Hoa Temple and Dược Sư Temple.1

Since many Vietnamese-Americans, Hispanic, native Americans, and English speakers have come to Huong Sen Temple in search of practice and ritual, Bhikkhunī Giới Hương composed an English version of DAILY MONASTIC CHANTING. It encompasses

16 popular rituals to serve the spiritual needs of any Buddhist sect, including the Pure Land and Meditation Traditions as below:

Practice Meditation
The Ceremony for Peace
The Rice Offering to Buddhas
The Lunch Offering at the Dining Hall
The Ritual Offering Food To Hungry Ghosts
The Pureland Course of Amitabha Sutra
The Medicine Buddha Sutra

The New Year Ceremony

1 Please read: http://www.huongsentemple.com/index.php/vn/ phat-phap/kinh-ta-ng-ca-a-cha-a-hs/6256-nghi-le-hang-ngay-20.

The Great Parinirvana Ceremony
The Buddha’s Birthday Ceremony
The Ullambana Festival (Parents’ Day)
The Marriage Ceremony
The Blessing Ceremony for The Deceased
The Ancestral Ceremony
The Enlightened Buddha Ceremony
The Uposatha Ceremony (Reciting Precepts)

With regard to mindful chanting, we take sources from the sacred book, Chanting from the Heart: Buddhist Ceremonies and Daily Practices of Thích Nhất Hạnh. In the field of the Pureland School, we have taken material from the above Vietnamese scripture, “Nghi Lễ Hàng Ngày,” and translated it into English.

We should chant at least once a week, any place and any time, or more often if we have more time. The chant will help to avoid negative thoughts, defilements, distractions -any of the myriad things that intrude into the one-pointed mind. We definitely feel the connectedness with Dharma (the Buddha’s teaching), we feel the spirit being lifted up, the awakening and the settling of the mind to enter meditation. We will become bright, enduring, detached, diligent, generous, loving, understanding and so on . . . because we practice following the chanting and the role model of Buddhas.

Chanting out loud or silently listening to chanting can also be very relaxing as we go about our day. It can be used to calm our mind before work or sleeping.

For the sake of all the general practitioners, there are some changes, combinations, additions,

reductions, and creations made in this English version. This is the first time that both traditions have been combined in an English version for the necessary needs at Huong Sen Buddhist Temple.

We would like to gratefully acknowledge with special thanks the Buddhas, Boddhisattvas, Sanghas, the English translators, Master Thích Nhất Hạnh, our Late Respectful Teacher - Venerable Elder Bhikkhunī Hải Triều Âm and others. You all provided us the awakening words to remind and guide us in the right way of practice. We will keep chanting, learning and practicing it until we and all beings get the enlightenment as well as realize our Buddha nature.

If there is any merit in compiling this book, may it be shared with all sentient beings. May they diligently practice and soon gain the way of love and understanding.

Reciting the sutras, practicing the way of awareness

gives rise to benefits without limit.

We vow to share the fruits with all beings.

We vow to offer tribute to parents, teachers, friends,

and numerous beings who

give guidance and support along the path.

(Thích Nhất Hạnh)

Hương Sen Temple, Riverside, California

March 15, 2023

Bhikkhunī TN Giới Hương

THE CEREMONY

OF BUDDHA BIRTHDAY

The Buddha Birthday’s Ceremony (Vesak) is often performed at the full moon in the fourth month in lunar year. The statue of the baby Buddha should be set on a base in the middle a round container of water, flowers, candles… Then, Buddhists happily get line to pour water over the statue while chanting his name.

Introduction
The incense offering
Salutation
- Gratitude the Buddhas and

Bodhisattvas

Gratitude the Buddhas in the past
Gratitude the Arahats
Gratitude the Ancestors
Gratitude the Bhikkhuni ancestors
Gratitude The Four Debts

Opening verse
Chanting the Buddha’s Birthday
Pay homage to the Buddha’s Life

The Verse bathing the Baby Buddha
Praising the Buddha
The insight that brings us to the other shore
Read the Names of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
May the day and the night be well
Prayer
Salutation thousands of Buddhas in three times
Taking refuge at three jewels
Sharing the merit & verse for closing

***

1. INTRODUCTORY

Leader: Today is the full moon day of the fourth month, we are (the leading Bhikkhuni...) and the sangha gathered at the main hall of... to organize the memorial of the Shakyamuni Buddha. We present the flowers, incense, cake and fruit to celebrate the Buddha’s birthday and conduct the ritual bathing the baby

Buddha.

We remembered two thousand six hundred years ago, in the Kapilavastu Kingdom, a prince known as Siddhārtha was born, who later became Shakyamuni Buddha. He was a human being just as we are, but his understanding and love were developed to a very high degree, and he became a fully awakened being. He shared his knowledge from his enlightened experience in order that people can live mindfully, awakenly and liberatedly. He is the symbol of the most beautiful and precious ashoka flower in the world and heaven.

As the Buddha’s disciples, we respectfully bow and admire the prince Siddhārtha

- the newborn Buddha, who descended to the Saha world to spread the global message of the happiness and liberation for the sake of many.

May the Buddha-Dharma-Sangha be presented everywhere in order that people can nurture the Buddha-seeds and transform the greed, anger, and delusion to be the love, understand and toleration.

May all sentient and non-sentient beings soon attain the Buddhahood as the

Shakyamuni Buddha did.

May all beings are always the bodhi awaken friends and protect the Three Jewels in the world forever.

Namo Shakyamuni Buddha from the Trayastrimsa heavenly realm descends to the world, under the ashoka tree of Lumbini Royal Garden. (3 times) (o)

2. THE INCENSE OFFERING

Leader: In gratitude, we offer this incense to all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time.

May it be fragrant as Earth herself, reflecting our careful efforts, our wholehearted mindfulness, and the fruit of understanding, slowly ripening.

May we and all beings be companions of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

May we awaken from forgetfulness and realize our true home. (o)

Namo Offering the Incense Bodhisattva Mahasattvas. (3 times) (ooo)

3. SALUTATION IN GRATITUDE

(All Sangha members read)

1. GRATITUDE THE BUDDHAS AND BODHISATTVAS
Offering light in the Ten Directions, the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, to whom we bow in gratitude.
- (1 prostration)
Teaching and living the way of awareness in the very midst of suffering and confusion, Shakyamuni Buddha, the Fully Enlightened One, to whom we bow in
- (1 prostration)
Cutting through ignorance, awakening our hearts and our minds, Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Great Understanding, to whom we bow in
- (1 prostration)
Working mindfully, working joyfully for the sake of all beings, Samantabhadra, the Bodhisattva of Great Action, to whom we bow in
- (1 prostration)
Seed of awakening and loving kindness in children and all beings,

Maitreya, the Buddha to-be-born, to whom we bow in gratitude.

(1 prostration)

Seeing the Buddha in everyone, Sadaparibhuta, the Bodhisattva of Constant Respect, to whom we bow in gratitude. (o) (1 prostration)
Showing the way fearlessly and compassionately, the stream of all our Ancestral Teachers, to whom we bow in gratitude. (ooo) (1 prostration)

GRATITUDE THE BUDDHAS IN THE PAST

The Buddha Vipashyin, to whom we bow in gratitude. (o) (1 prostration)
The Buddha Shikhin, to whom we bow

in gratitude. (o) (1 prostration)

The Buddha Vishvabhu, to whom we bow in gratitude. (o) (1 prostration)

The Buddha Krakkucchandha, to whom we bow in gratitude.

(o) (1 prostration)

The Buddha Konagamana, to whom we bow in gratitude. (o) (1 prostration)

The Buddha Kashyapa, to whom we bow in gratitude. (o) (1 prostration)
The Buddha Shakyamuni, to whom we bow in gratitude. (o) (1 prostration)
The Bodhisattva of Great Understanding, Manjushri, to whom we bow in gratitude. (o) (1 prostration)
The Bodhisattva of Great Action, Samantabhadra, to whom we bow in gratitude. (o) (1 prostration)
The Bodhisattva of Great Compassion, Avalokiteshvara, to whom we bow in gratitude. (ooo) (1 prostration)
The Bodhisattva of the Great Vow, Kshitigarbha, to whom we bow in gratitude. (ooo) (1 prostration)

GRATITUDE THE ARAHATS

The Venerable Kashyapa, to whom we bow in gratitude. (o) (1 prostration)
The Venerable Shariputra, to whom we bow in gratitude. (o) (1 prostration)
The Venerable Maudgalyayana, to whom we bow in gratitude.

(o) (1 prostration)

The Venerable Upali, to whom we bow

in gratitude. (o) (1 prostration)

The Venerable Ananda, to whom we bow in (ooo) (1 prostration)

GRATITUDE THE ANCESTORS

Mother of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and all beings, nourishing,

holding, and healing all, Bodhisattva Gaia, Great Mother Earth,

precious jewel of the cosmos, to whom we bow in gratitude. (o) (1 prostration)

Radiating light in all directions, source of life on Earth,

Mahavairocana Tathagata, Great Father Sun, Buddha of infinite light and life, to whom we bow in gratitude. (o) (1 prostration)

Seed of awakening and loving kindness in children and all beings, Maitreya, the Buddha to-be-born, to whom we bow in gratitude.

(o) (1 prostration)

Showing the way fearlessly and compassionately,

the stream of all our Ancestral

Teachers, to whom we bow in

gratitude. (ooo) (1 prostration)

GRATITUDE THE BHIKKHUNI ANCESTORS

The First ancestor in the Nun’s Sangha, Venerable Bhikkhuni Mahapajapati (Mahagotami), to whom we bow in gratitude. (o) (1 prostration)
Foremost in wisdom, Venerable Bhikkhuni Khemā, to whom we bow in gratitude. (o) (1 prostration)
Foremost in superpowers, Venerable Bhikkhuni Uppalavaṇṇā, to whom we bow in gratitude. (o) (1 prostration)
Foremost in Dhamma teaching, Venerable Bhikkhuni Dhammadinnā, to whom we bow in gratitude.
- (1 prostration)
Foremost among Vinaya experts, Venerable Bhikkhuni Paṭācārā, to whom we bow in gratitude.
- (1 prostration)
Foremost in ascetic, Venerable Bhikkhuni Kisāgotamī, to whom we bow in gratitude. (o) (1 prostration)

Foremost in mindfulness, Venerable Bhikkhuni Nandā Therī, to whom we bow in gratitude. (o) (1 prostration).
Foremost in quick intuition, Venerable Bhikkhunī Kuṇḍalakesī, to whom we bow in gratitude. (o) (1 prostration)
Foremost in diligence, Venerable Bhikkhuni Soṇā, to whom we bow in gratitude. (o) (1 prostration).
Foremost in meditation, Venerable Bhikkhuni Nandā, to whom we bow in gratitude. (o) (1 prostration).
The Ancestral Teacher Hai Trieu Am to whom we bow in gratitude.
- (1 prostration)
The Precept Transmission Teachers, to whom we bow in gratitude.
- (1 prostration)

PAY THE GRATITUDE AT THE FOUR

DEBTS

In gratitude to our parents who bring us into the world, we touch the Earth before the Three Jewels.

(o) (1 prostration)

In gratitude to our teachers who show us how to love, understand, and live the present moment, we touch the Earth before the Three Jewels.

(o) (1 prostration)

In gratitude to our friends who guide us on the path and support us in difficult moments, we touch the Earth before the Three Jewels.

(o) (1 prostration)

In gratitude to all species in the animal, plant, and mineral worlds, who support our life and make our world beautiful, we touch the Earth before the Three Jewels. (ooo) (1 prostration)

4. OPENING VERSE

The Dharma is deep and lovely.

We now have a chance to see, study, and practice it.

We vow to realize its true meaning.

Namo Shakyamunaye Buddhaya.

(3 times) (ooo)

5. CHANTING ON THE BUDDHA’S BIRTHDAY

Today on the occasion of the Buddha’s

Birthday

We are happy and respect to pay homage:

The Shakyamuni Buddha, the Tathagata with the holy sages in the ten directions We and all sentient beings because of the ignorance

Forget the way back

And attached in the six suffering realms. (o) Now thanks to the Shakyamuni Buddha Who showed us the awaken way

The wisdom torch shines to save all species.

We remembered on that wonderful event, The Maya Queen dreamed the good omen The saint is under the form of the elephant six tusks

Entering her womb

The Suddhodana King and people Welcome the holy Siddhārtha prince With Thirty-two good generals

And just nineteen years old

He left the palace for searching the truth

Six years of asceticism in the jungle At the Forty-nine day of meditation Under the bodhi tree on the Nairanjana river

He conquered the ignogrant demons And became the Enlightened one

The three realms raised their voices to welcome

All beings in the heaven and world are thanks to grace. (o)

May we end the suffering cycle of birth

and death

Learn the love and understand.

May the Buddhas blessings of mercy We and all sentient beings

Quick to become the awakened ones as

the Buddha did.

Namo Shakyamuni Buddha.

(3 times) (ooo)