EVENING RECITATIONS

Practice Note: In accordance with the Chinese custom, this service is conducted shortly after NOON, this being the 'Evening' in monasteries. This series of recitations is devoted almost entirely to PURE LAND practices as has been the custom since the SUNG era. Those who wish a 'Zen' evening service will find a translation of a JAPANESE-style ZEN EVENING RECITATION in Appendix #3. If this book is used for practice by a small temple where only one major recitation is held daily, it is recommended that the MORNING RECITATION be the one commonly used, saving this recitation and others in this book for appropriate or auspicious occasions. For a listing of such times by the Lunar Calendar, please see Appendix #4-

EVENING RECITATIONS

All take their places in the same manner as for Morning Recitations.

INCENSE HYMN

ALL

Smoldering incense suddenly burns and the Dharma Realm is covered with its fragrance as the myriad Buddha Ocean Assembly as if one from their distance hear us and from this place join together as in an auspicious cloud. Sincere thoughts and honesty flourish as the myriad Buddhas appear in their Perfect Forms.

Homage to the Fragrant Cloud Covered Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas!
Homage to the Fragrant Cloud Covered Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas!
Homage to the Fragrant Cloud Covered Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas!

GATHA FOR OPENING SUTRAS

The Precentor strikes the Great Ch'ing and intones:

PRECENTOR

The incomparable and profoundly exquisite Dharma!

It is rare that it can be met with, even in hundreds of thousands of millions of ages!

We are now permitted to see it! We are now permitted to hear it! We are now permitted to accept it! We are now permitted to hold it! May we truly understand the meaning of these words of the Tathagata!

THE PURE LAND SUTRA

Being the Buddha's expounding of the Sukhavativyuha-sutra, the Smaller version.

Gatha in Praise of the Sutra

PRECENTOR

Give Praise

ALL

Homage to the Lotus Pond Ocean Assembly of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas!
Homage to the Lotus Pond Ocean Assembly of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas!
Homage to the Lotus Pond Ocean Assembly of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas!

Text of the Sutra

PRECENTOR

The Buddha's Expounding of the Amitabha Sutra!

Bring Palms Together

ALL

Thus have I heard: At one time the Buddha was dwelling at Sravasti in the garden and park purchased for His use by Anathapindaka from the Prince Jeta. With Him was a great company of monks numbering over twelve hundred and fifty. All were Great Arhats and many had achieved the State of Discernment The Venerable Sariputra, Mahamaugalyana, Mahakasyapa, Mahakapphina, Mahakatyayana, Mahakaushthila, Revata, Suddhipanthaka, Nanda, Ananda, Rahula, Gavampati, Bharadvaga, Kaodayin, Vakkula and Aniruddha were among them. Also with him and these Great Disciples were many Great Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas. Among these was the Dharma Prince Manjusri Bodhisattva, the Invincible Maitreya Bodhisattva, the Fragrant Elephant of the North Bodhisattva, and the Constant Unfailing Progress Bodhisattva and also many other Great Bodhisattvas. Also there was Sakra, the Indra-Lord of the Devas and with him were countless numbers of other Devas.

Release palms

In this way did the Buddha speak to the Venerable Sariputra:



"O Sariputra, if you go from here to the West and pass beyond Ten Ten Thousands of Hundreds of Thousands Buddhas Lands there exists a region called the Land of Ultimate Joy where there exists a Buddha called Amitabha. He is there now, expounding the Dharma, this Arhat.

"Now, Sariputra, why do you think that this land is called the Land of Ultimate Joy? Because in that realm for all living beings there is neither physical pain nor mental pain and the sources of blessings are without number. For this reason is it called the Land of Ultimate Joy.

"Furthermore Sariputra, the Land of Ultimate Joy is adorned with seven terraces and seven rows of wind chimes together with seven avenues of trees. The above are enclosed on all sides by the four precious substances. With such excellent things unique to Buddha Lands is this excellent Buddha Land adorned.

"Furthermore, O Sariputra, in that world called Ultimate Joy there are Lotus Ponds, ornamented with the seven precious stones. The water that fills them has the eight good qualities and the bottoms of these ponds are covered with pure golden sands that extend to their banks. On the four sides of these Lotus Ponds are flights of stairs--golden and silver, with beryl and crystal in splendid perfection. And at the top of these stairs are raised pavilions majestically adorned with gold and silver, beryl, crystal and coral, red pearls and agate. And in the ponds grow Lotus Flowers that are as large as the wheels of a cart blue colored, as if emitting blue radiance; yellow colored, as if emitting yellow light; red colored, radiating redness; white colored of pure white radiating light and their subtle and mysterious fragrances cleanse the air. O Sariputra for this reason is the Ultimate Joy Land perfect in its meritorious adornments.

"Furthermore Sariputra, in that Heavenly Music over the Buddha Land there is continual arising of yellow-golden colored earth. And for each of the six periods of day and night there rain down showers of Heavenly Coral Tree Blossoms. And the living beings of that Land are constantly using their miraculous robes to travel to other Buddha Lands and thereupon shower upon the Tathagatas of those worlds Ten Ten Thousands of Hundreds of Thousands of these wonderfully abundant flowers. Ten Ten Thousands of Hundreds of Thousands of Buddhas are honored in this way before the time for the first meal, and all the inhabitants of this Land then return to it to consume their own meal, nourished by the Dharma Teaching and by their own good roots. Sariputra, for this reason is the Ultimate Joy Land perfect in its adornment.

"And furthermore, O Sariputra, in this land there are all sorts of strange and wondrously colored birds. White Cranes and peacocks, parrots and mynah birds and other sorts of birds having melodious voices and fabulous birds who have two heads and all the many kinds of birds are assembled there. Day and Night, during each of the Six Periods their harmony creates and elegant sound which, if listened to, expounds and makes clear the five spiritual organ roots which are positive and the five powers of Mara which, if springing from the corresponding sensory organs, are negative factors. Likewise do they expound the seven characteristics of Bodhi and the Holy Eightfold Path; Thus do they spread the Dharma everywhere in that land and when living beings hear these sounds, they reflect on the Buddha, they reflect on the Dharma, and they reflect on the Sangha.

"Sariputra, you must not say that these birds are those reborn in this way a retribution for past sins. This is not so. While other Buddha Lands are without the Three Evil Paths Sariputra, in this Buddha Land even the names of these evil paths is unknown. How much more, the, do they have the truth? These many kinds of birds have been created solely to call on Amitabha Buddha and therefore they desire to proclaim these honorable Dharma sounds, and in so doing aid in the transformation of all living beings by their actions.

"Sariputra, in this Buddha Land subtle winds blow and stir along the myriad precious avenues of trees where they reach the preciously appointed gauze covered walkways. There they strike the wind chimes from which spring forth the most subtle and wonderful sounds which thus become one hundred thousand sorts of music all constantly arising together. Those hearing these sounds, even if they still possess the self that creates rebirths, are moved to call on the Buddha, to call on the Dharma and to call on the Sangha with all their hearts. Sariputra, for this reason is this Buddha Land perfect and is thus meritoriously adorned.

"Now, O Sariputra, for what reason do you think this Buddha has been called Amitabha? Sariputra, it is because this Buddha possesses Illuminating Wisdom Beyond Measure which illuminates the lands in the Ten Directions without obstructions or obstacles. For this reason is this Buddha called Amitabha.

"Furthermore, Sariputra, this Buddha can command that His Own Long Life be extended to all men: Immeasurable limitless countless numbers of eons! For this reason has he been called Amitabha. This Perfect Buddha has already 'come,' indeed, ten eons has He been "He who has Thus Come" to this present moment.

"And furthermore, O Sariputra, this Buddha has immeasurable, limitless countless numbers of 'sound hearing' disciples, Arhats they have all become in numbers not to be counted. Regarding this, you should know there are also myriad Bodhisattva Assemblies. For this reason. O Sariputra, is the perfect Buddha Land meritoriously adorned.

"Furthermore, Sariputra, all living beings who are reborn in this Ultimate Joy Land become 'Bodhisattvas Who Never Recede.' That it, Bodhisattvas who have but one rebirth to attain Buddhahood and this number is indeed very great a number that can neither be counted no known, and is expressed only as 'countless and limitless' for it is beyond expression.

"O Sariputra, all living beings should hear and respond to His Vow, and resolve to be reborn in His Land. And why? So that they can obtain and share together with the many kinds of superior and skillful men to be found there.

"Sariputra, you would not be able to gain rebirth in this land by means of wonderful good roots or even blessed or virtuous causes, but, Sariputra, if a son or a daughter of a good family or a good woman or man hears this expounding on Amitabha Buddha and abides in and holds fast His Name If for one day, if for two days, if for three days, if for four days, if for five days, if for six days, if for seven days and does so with single pointedness of mind and without confusion, then when that person is on the brink if his life's end, he will see Amitabha Buddha together with many members of the Holy Sage Assembly standing before him. When such a person dies, because his mind was without perverted or erroneous views, he will immediately be reborn in Amitabha's Land of Ultimate Joy.

"Sariputra, I see this as a correct benefit and so I have expounded these words so that those who have accumulated rebirths can hear of this and be filled with suitable resolve and thus attain rebirth in Amitabha's Land.
Thus, Sariputra, I now sing the praises of Amitabha Buddha whose merits are so beneficial that they can neither be thought nor discussed.

Bring palms together


"In the Eastern Region there is the Unmoved Buddha Aksobhya, the Merudhavaja Buddha, the Great Mystical Mountain Buddha, the Excellent Mountain Illuminating Buddha and the Mysterious Sounds Buddha - thus so everywhere a number of Buddhas that is equal to the sands of the river Ganges, each of them having His Own Land. And from these Buddhas' characteristically broad and long tongues, which can cover three thousand great universes of universes, and which they use to expound truthful and sincere words to all living beings everywhere, come also these praises of Amitabha Buddha whose merits are so beneficial that they can neither be thought nor discussed.

Therefore all the myriad Buddhas in that region protect and care for this Sutra.
"O Sariputra, the Southern Region has the Day and Night Lantern Buddha. the Renown Fame Illuminating Buddha, the Great Blazing Shoulders Buddha, the Mystical Mountain Lantern Buddha, the Unlimited Pure Progress Buddha - thus so everywhere a number of Buddhas that is equal to the sands of the river Ganges, each of them having His Own Land. And from these Buddhas' characteristically broad and long tongues, which can cover three thousand great universes of universes, and which they use to expound truthful and sincere words to all living beings everywhere, come also these praises of Amitabha Buddha whose merits are so beneficial that they can neither be thought nor discussed. Therefore all the many kinds of Buddhas of that region protect and care for this Sutra.

"Sariputra, the Western Region has the Boundless Life Buddha, the Immeasurable Characteristics and Marks Buddha, the Immeasurable Pennant Buddha, the Great Illuminating Buddha, the Great Wisdom Buddha, the Precious Marks Buddha, and the Clear Illuminating Buddha - thus so everywhere a number of Buddhas that is equal to the sand in the river Ganges, each of them having His Own Land. And from these Buddhas' characteristically broach and long tongues which can cover three thousand great universes of universes, and which they use to expound truthful and sincere words to all living beings everywhere, come also these praises of Amitabha Buddha whose merits are so beneficial that they can neither be thought nor discussed.

Therefore all the myriad Buddhas of that region protect and care for this Sutra.
"Sariputra, the Northern Region has the Blazing Shoulders Buddha, the All-Conquering Sound Buddha, the Difficult-to-Stop Buddha, the Daily Reborn Buddha and the Net of Wisdom Buddha - thus so everywhere a number of Buddhas that is equal to the sands of the river Ganges, each of these Buddhas having His Own Land. And from these Buddha's characteristically broad and long tongues which can cover three thousand universes of universes, and which they use to expound truthful and sincere words to all living beings everywhere, come also these praises of Amitabha Buddha whose merits are so beneficial that they can neither be thought nor discusses. Therefore all the myriad Buddhas of that region protect and care for this Sutra!

"Sariputra, the Nadir has the Lion of Men Buddha, the Renown Buddha, the Famous Illuminating Buddha, the Dharma Buddha, and the Dharma Protecting Buddha - thus so everywhere a number of Buddhas that is equal to the sands of the river Ganges, each of them having His Own Land. And from these Buddha's characteristically broad and long tongues, which can cover three thousand great universes of universes, and which they use to expound truthful and sincere words to all living beings everywhere, come also these praises of Amitabha Buddha whose merits are so beneficial that they can neither be thought nor discussed. Therefore all the myriad Buddhas of that region protect and care for this Sutra.

"Sariputra, the Zenith has the Brahma Voiced Buddha, the Lord of the Constellations Buddha, the Incense Offering Buddha, the Incense Illuminating Buddha, the Great Blazing Shoulders Buddha, the Many Colored Precious Flowers Adorned Bodied Buddha, the Teak Tree King Buddha, the Seeing - all - wishes - fulfilled Buddha and the Like-a-mystical-mountain Buddha - thus so everywhere a number of Buddhas that is equal to the sands of the river Ganges, each of them having His Own Land. And from these Buddhas' characteristically broad and long tongues, which can cover three thousand great universes of universes, and which they use to expound truthful and sincere words to all living beings everywhere, come also these praises of Amitabha Buddha whose merits are so beneficial that they can neither be thought nor discussed. Therefore all the myriad Buddha in that region protect and care for this Sutra.

Release palms


"O Sariputra, what do you think? Why do those Buddha that I have named protect and care for this Sutra? It is because, Sariputra, if sons or daughters of good families or good men or women who hear of this Sutra and keep it and who also hear these myriad Buddha that I have named; these myriad sons and daughters of good families or good men or women, because of the pervasive activity of all the many kinds of Buddhas who protect and care for this Sutra, will obtain the 'Never Receding Nor Turning Back From Any Advances Gained' state which proceeds to the Unexcelled Complete Enlightenment.

"Venerable Sariputra, those anywhere in the Universe who have suitable faith and receive my words can then reach to the many kinds of Buddha places of which I have expounded.

"Sariputra, if a man in the past has made this resolve or at this moment obtains this resolve or does attain this resolve in the future ,such a one will be immediately reborn in the Land of Amitabha Buddha. This is equally true of the many kinds of men everywhere---all can obtain the 'Never Receding Nor Turning Back' state which proceeds to the Unexcelled Complete Enlightenment.

"With reference to this Land, if in a past life, the present life, or in a future life, O Venerable Sariputra, the myriad sons and daughters of good families or good men or women have faith in the worthiness of this Vow and respond to it suitably, they will be reborn in the Land of Amitabha .

"Thus, Sariputra, I now sing the praises of the myriad Buddha whose merit is beyond thought or discussion. Likewise the myriad Buddhas also sing praises to me, saying that my own merit is also beyond thought or discussion.

"Therefore with the arising of these words Shakyamuni Buddha has performed a very difficult and rare work by which He was able, in this universe and world, even with its Five Periods of Evil Realms and its Impure Eons, to discern its impurities. Also He discerned the defiling nature of passions impurity and the assembled rebirths impurity and also the reduced length of life impurity and even so, among these impurities, He obtained the Unexcelled Complete Enlightenment. Thereupon His Activity was to expound to all the many kinds of living beings the Dharma that is difficult to have faith in because of the separations caused by impurities.

"Sariputra, I have the suitable knowledge of these Five Evil Periods and have thus acted in this difficult labor because I have attained the Unexcelled Complete Enlightenment. Thus so also is my activity to expound to all the many kinds of living beings that Dharma that is difficult to have faith in because of the divisions in all realms. Although this correct activity is very difficult, the Buddha has expounded this correct Sutra."

Thereupon Sariputra and the many kinds of fully ordained monks and the whole world of Devas, Men and Arhats who all equally heard the Buddha expound this Sutra were strengthened in Joy, Faith and Resolve and each of them made Ten Obeisances to Him.

PRECENTOR

Thus did the Buddha expound the Amitabha Sutra!

Now comes a time of "One Mindedness" free from distractions before beginning to enlarge the concentration to include the Holy Name. By means of our calling out this name, myriads of past blameworthy acts are completely eradicated and many beneficial roots, merits and blessings are thusly caused. The "twenty-one character (the first portion of the Future Rebirth Dharani)" compose this Treasury' fundamental origin. Without this relationship, men of later times would not have been able to add to this offering and thus get rid of past karma.

PRECENTOR

Let us now recite the Mystical Formula for pulling out the 'Tap Root' of Karmic Obstructions and attaining rebirth in the Pure Land!

ALL

Homage to Amitabha Buddha! Tathagata! He Who Calls Out!
Amitabha Who Benefits! All That Exists!
Amitabha Benefits Everywhere! One Hundred Existences!
Amitabha Benefits Everywhere! The Prophesied Sovereign!
Amitabha Benefits Everywhere! The Prophesied Sovereign!
One Who Benefits All! The Firmament and Sky Benefiting! Hail!

ALL

Homage to Amitabha Buddha! Tathagata! He Who Calls Out!
Amitabha Benefits Everywhere! One Hundred Existences!
Amitabha Benefits Everywhere! The Prophesied Sovereign!
Amitabha Benefits Everywhere! The Prophesied Sovereign!
One Who Benefits All! The Firmament and Sky Benefiting! Hail!

ALL

Homage to Amitabha Buddha! Tathagata! He Who Calls Out!
Amitabha Benefits Everywhere! One Hundred Existences!
Amitabha Benefits Everywhere! The Prophesied Sovereign!
Amitabha Benefits Everywhere! The Prophesied Sovereign!
One Who Benefits All! The Firmament and Sky Benefiting! Hail!

WORSHIPPING THE BUDDHAS BY CONFESSION AND REPENTANCE

Also called the Litany of Eighty-eight Buddhas

While shown as a portion of the Daily Text, common practice may reserve the use of this for auspicious days

Plainsong

ALL

Greatly Compassionate, Greatly Merciful, Pitying All Living Beings!
Greatly Joyful, Greatly Renouncing, Aiding All Sentient Beings!
Their Thirty-two Marks are illuminated by their Heroism! With One Mind

all turn toward the altar and kneel

those gathered here offer their lives in worship!

Now speaking plainly

ALL

We praise and take refuge in the Diamond - Thunderbolt Superior Teachers!
We take refuge in the Buddhas!
We take refuge in the Dharma!
We take refuge in the Sangha!
At this moment my mind is made up and my 'non-active' self prays for the Reward that is called 'Blessed' by Men and Devas. Those who listened to the Buddha's Teachings and the Pratyaka Buddhas who take the smaller expedient teaching and the diverse kinds of Bodhisattvas who rely upon the Supreme Vehicle all send forth the Enlightened Mind, vowing that this shall be extended to the Dharma Realm of All Sentient Beings so that all can together and at the same time attain the Unexcelled Complete Enlightenment!

Plainsong

I commit myself and take refuge in all the Myriad Buddhas of the Ten Directions and the Complete Universe!

I commit myself and take refuge in all the Honored Dharmas of the Ten Directions and the Complete Universe!

I commit myself and take refuge in all the Saintly and Virtuous Sanghas of the Ten Directions and the Complete Universe!

I commit myself to the Tathagatas, Arhats, Completely Enlightened Ones, Well Departed Ones, Knowers of the Worlds, Unsurpassed Lords, Tamers of the Passions of Men, Teachers of Men and Devas, Enlightened Ones, World Honored Ones!

I commit myself to the Universal Light Buddha!
I commit myself to the Universal Enlightenment Buddha!
I commit myself to the Universal Purity Buddha!
I commit myself to the Cassia Leafed Sandalwood Fragrance Buddha!
I commit myself to the Sandalwood Illuminating Buddha!
I commit myself to the Jeweled Pennant Buddha!
I commit myself to the Gladness Storehouse of Jewels Treasure- Heaped Buddha!
I commit myself to the Whole World of Joy Discerning Supreme Great Purified Progress Buddha!
I commit myself to the Jeweled Flickering Lantern Illuminating Buddha!
I commit myself to the Torch of Wisdom Shining Buddha!
I commit myself to the Ocean of Virtue Illuminating Buddha!
I commit myself to the Diamond Firm and Secure Pervasively Scattering Precious Light Buddha!
I commit myself to the Great Strong Unadulterated Progress Buddha!
I commit myself to the Great Merciful Illumination Buddha!
I commit myself to the Compassionate Powered Lord Buddha!
I commit myself to the Compassionate Treasury Buddha!
I commit myself to the Sandalwood Cave of Dignity Glorious Victory Buddha!
I commit myself to the Virtuous Sage Buddha!
I commit myself to the Virtuous Faculty of Thought Buddha!
I commit myself to the Greatly Dignified Glorious Lord Buddha!
I commit myself to the Precious Blossom Illuminating Buddha!
I commit myself to the Precious Canopy Shining in the Void Sovereign Powerful Lord Buddha!
I commit myself to the Sunyata Treasured Blossom Illuminating Buddha!
I commit myself to the Lapis Lazuli Adorned Buddha!
I commit myself to the Universally Manifested Physical Body Illuminating Buddha!
I commit myself to the Unmoved Wisdom Illuminating Buddha!
I commit myself to the Subjugating the Assembly of Demons Lord Buddha!
I commit myself to the Talent Illuminating and Enlightening Buddha!
I commit myself to the Knowledge and Wisdom Victorious Buddha!
I commit myself to the Benevolent Maitreya Immortal Illuminating Buddha!
I commit myself to the Skilled in Calmness Moon Sounds Mysteriously Honoring Knowing Lord Buddha!
I commit myself to the World of Purity Illuminating Buddha!
I commit myself to the Honored Race of Dragon Kings, Lord Buddha!
I commit myself to the Sun and Moon Illuminating Buddha!
I commit myself to the Sun and Moon Pearl Illuminating Buddha!
I commit myself to the Wisdom Pennant Victorious Lord Buddha!
I commit myself to the Lion's Roar Sovereign and Powerful Lord Buddha!
I commit myself to the Mysterious Sounds Surpassing Buddha!
I commit myself to the Eternally Illuminated Pennant Buddha !
I commit myself to the Regarding the World Lantern Buddha!
I commit myself to the Wise and Majestic Lantern Buddha!
I commit myself to the Dharma Victorious Lord Buddha!
I commit myself to the Mystical Mountain Illuminating Buddha!
I commit myself to the Great Jasmine Flower Illuminating Buddha!
I commit myself to the Distinguished by the Udumbra Tree's Weighty Blossom Surpassing Lord Buddha!
I commit myself to the Great Wisdom Powerful Lord Buddha!
I commit myself to the Unmoved When Surrounded by Pleasure Joyful Illumination Buddha!
I commit myself to the Unlimited Sound Hearing Lord Buddha!
I commit myself to the Talent Illuminating Buddha!
I commit myself to the Golden Ocean Illuminating Buddha!
I commit myself to the Mountain and Sea Wisdom Sovereign Universal Lord Buddha!
I commit myself to the Great Pervading Illumination Buddha!
I commit myself to the Wholly and Eternally Complete in the Dharma Lord Buddha!

The above 53 Buddhas come from looking into the "Sutra of the Two Bodhisattva Brothers of Medicine."
The below 35 Buddhas come from looking into the "Sutra of the Fixed and Settled Vinaya."

I commit myself to the Wise One of the Shakyas Buddha!
I commit myself to the Diamond -Thunderbolt Indestructible Buddha!
I commit myself to the Precious Illumination Buddha!
I commit myself to the Dragon Honored Lord Buddha !
I commit myself to the Like an Army Purely Progressing Buddha !
I commit myself to the Purely Progressing Joyous Buddha !
I commit myself to the Precious Fire Buddha!
I commit myself to the Precious Moon Illuminating Buddha!
I commit myself to the Manifested Without Ignorance Buddha!
I commit myself to the Precious Moon Buddha!
I commit myself to the Undefiled Buddha!
I commit myself to the Abandoning Defilements Buddha !
I commit myself to the Courage Bestowing Buddha!
I commit myself to the Pure Clear Buddha!
I commit myself to the Pure Clarity Bestowing Buddha!
I commit myself to the Easily Keeping Thusness Buddha!
I commit myself to the Water Deva Varuna Buddha!
I commit myself to the Fixed Virtue Buddha!
I commit myself to the Sandalwood Meritorious Virtued Buddha!
I commit myself to the Immeasurable Grasped in Both Hands Illuminating Buddha!
I commit myself to the Illuminating Virtue Buddha!
I commit myself to the Without Sorrow Virtuous Buddha!
I commit myself to the Son of the Eternal Spirit Buddha!
I commit myself to the Meritorious Virtued Blossom Buddha!
I commit myself to the Lotus Blossom Illuminating Supernatural Power Universal Buddha!
I commit myself to the Wealth of Virtue Meritorious Buddha!
I commit myself to the Meritorious at Reflection and Recitation Buddha!
I commit myself to the Skilled at Reflection and Invoking Virtue Meritorious Buddha!
I commit myself to the Scarlet Flame Sovereign Pennant Lord Buddha!
I commit myself to the Skilled at Travel By Walking Meritorious Buddha!
I commit myself to the Provokers of War Overcoming Buddha!
I commit myself to the Skilled at Travel By Walking Buddha!
I commit myself to the Completely Encompassed and Adorned with Virtue and Merits Buddha!
I commit myself to the Precious Blossom at Every Step of the Journey Buddha!
I commit myself to the Precious Lotus Blossom Virtuously Abiding In the Guardian Teak Tree Lord Buddha!
I commit myself to the Dharma Realm's Place of Refuge Amitabha Buddha!

This last named Buddha is not a part of the 35, but is added from the "Sutra for the Salvation of the Flaming Mouths.",

Slowly with feeling, but clearly

PRECENTOR

Thus so, everywhere

ALL

In all Worlds the myriad World Honored Buddhas are always thus abiding in those Worlds. And if in our present lives or in our past lives, we have yielded to the beginningless cycles of life and death and have assembled sins, these Myriad World Honored Ones have suitable compassionate thoughts for us. If I have acted or if I have urged others to act, I understand that following my desires is like mistaking a pagoda for an assembly of monks or for an assembly of living beings. If I have become attached or if I have urged others to become attached, I see that from these desires come the Five Uninterrupted Sins. If I have acted or if I have urged others to act, I understand that from acting according to desire comes the Ten Unvirtuous Paths. If I act or urge others to act, I see that acting according to desires sets up sinful barriers, and whether or not one has carefully examined the Pitakas, one like this deservedly falls into Hell, or becomes a Hungry Ghost, or is reborn as animal or one of the many other kinds of incarnations that result from sin. The Border of the Pure Land is not won cheaply, nor can it be reached by non-Buddhists. Thus we here who are held back by sinful obstructions now confess and repent all of them. As we do this, the Myriad World Honored Buddhas attest to knowing us and undertake to watch over us, and in response to this, before these Myriad World Honored Buddhas I speak thusly:

If in this life for all our remaining years we are continually active in the spreading of alms or in our keeping of the Pure Precepts, in this way giving alms to dumb animals so that each received what it needs, or if we cultivate pure actions we will have good roots. By doing these things with no thought except for the benefit of all living beings, we will come to possess good roots. By cultivating the actions of Bodhi-Wisdom, we will come to possess good roots. And when we finally achieve the Unsurpassed Knowledge, we will have done so because of having these good roots. Adding all this together, we can assess our gain and these merits we completely and totally offer up to the Unexcelled Complete Enlightenment. Thus in the past, present and future, as is presently being made manifest by these Myriad Buddhas, therefore I likewise do this for the benefit of others. My assembled sins I confess and repent, and their Infinite Blessings put an end to my self-indulgence. I also beg for these Buddhas' Meritorious Virtues, vowing that I shall perfect the Unsurpassed Knowledge. In the Past, Present and Future these Buddhas have achieved the Greatest Surpassing Victory for all living beings and to their Immeasurable Ocean of Accomplishment, I now surrender my life in devotion.

This ends the Litany of the Eighty-eight Buddhas, but not the Rite of Confession and Repentance. If the preceding portion of the Rite is omitted, this remaining section must still be used daily.

All rise

ALL

In the Worlds in all directions dwell the Three Periods Complete Lions of Men, and with our pure clean bodies, speech and thoughts, we have wholly and completely worshipped them, excluding none! The awe-inspiring majesty of P'u Hsien's Vow of Activity has also been completely manifested before these Tathagatas. His One Body repeatedly manifests itself in bodies as countless as dust with each of these bodies giving worship to Buddhas that are also countless as dust, and, within the center of each grain of dust, there are also Buddhas to be counted: Each of them residing in the center of a Bodhisattva Assembly! Throughout the Inexhaustible Dharma Realm, all grains of dust are also like this! Nevertheless, be firmly convinced that each of these Myriad Buddhas is replete with a Full Ocean of Expounding's Wonderful Words which can not be used up by all the ages of the future!

Sing praises to these Buddhas Very Profound Oceans of Merits, and consider the myriads of Surpassingly Victorious Wonderfully Flowered Garlands which adorn them. Even as they are praised by singing maidens and other female dancers and performers who anoint themselves with perfume and incense to worship these Buddhas; Even as those great leaders and statesmen and those who are entitled to the signs and symbols of authority and others that can wear the Surpassing and Glorious Adornments of Merit worship these Buddhas; so do we also make nourishing offerings to these Tathagatas who are peerlessly robed and peerlessly fragrant.

Powdered Incense is burning and the Candles are lighted:

One-by-one, all these wonderful and Eminent Buddhas assemble as we wholly make these many kinds of nourishing offerings to the Tathagatas. Because of their Broad and Great Victories, our minds are liberated, and we come to have Deep Faith in all the Buddhas of the Three Realms.

We also know that it is because of the Power of P'u Hsien's Vow of Activity that we can always and continually make this nourishing offering to the Myriad Tathagatas:

Bring the palms together and continue solemnly



From the beginning all evil karmas have been created by my greed anger and delusion and have stemmed from my body, mouth and mind. All of them I now completely Confess and Repent.

Releasing the hands, the Assembly continues normally saying:

In the Ten Directions, all the many kinds of living beings take refuge in the Two Vehicles which contain the Knowledge that extends beyond Knowledge, and, All Tathagatas, together with the Bodhisattvas, make use of this Meritorious Achievement to Rejoice in the Welfare of Others!

Throughout the Ten Directions they have "Divided the Light," And from this superlative beginning have caused beings to attain the Bodhi-Mind.

We now ask, with every fiber of our beings, that they turn the Unsurpassed Mysterious Dharma Wheel by which, in the presence of the passions, All Buddhas proclaim Nirvana, and,
With greatest sincerity, we fully, avidly and devotedly meditate on their Vows to always abide in lands as countless as dust for ages without end until the Blessed Joy is arrived at by all living beings.

We have completely worshipped, sung hymns of praise and made nourishing offerings to the Buddhas, and,
We have invited the Buddha that abides in this World to turn the Dharma Wheel. We have fulfilled our wishes and been able to confess and repent. All these activities have created many good roots which we now dedicate to all living beings so that they, too, can reach the Buddha Path.

We also vow that whatever Victory and Merits that we receive from this, we dedicate to the Unsurpassed True Dharma Realm whose nature is manifested in the Buddha, in the Dharma and in the Sangha also!

The two forms of statements are thus combined in the Samadhi Seal creating an Immeasurable Ocean of Merit, and, this merit we also completely dedicate so that all living beings that possess body, mouth or mind can see as escape from the confusion that slanders our Dharma everywhere.

Thusly, all the many kinds of karmic obstacles will be fully and completely dispersed, without a trace of a remainder so that in the thought-after-thought, wisdom on every side Dharma Realms there will be the vast salvation of all living beings so that there will be no retreating into Birth and Death, and, so that throughout the Empty Realm of Sunyata and in the Finite Worlds, all living beings will be emptied of Karma and Klesa.

Therefore, in the same way that those of the Four Dharmas, whose merits are broad and limitless, have vowed to give their merit for the benefit of all living beings,

slowly turn so that the Two Ranks face each other

We also give our own merits to all living beings, saying:
Give Praise to the Great Activity of P'u Hsien Bodhisattva,
The Confession and Repentance Teaching Bodhisattva - Mahasattva!

repeat the above sentence three times

After the third repetition, the Hand Ch'ing is struck twice quickly and all rise and perform WEN-HSUN bow. The Two Ranks again turn to face each other.