The Happy Vesak Rites1

1 Phap Nhan Temple, 136 The Ranch Rd. Del Valle, TX 78617 whose websites:

www.phapnhan.net/ phapnhantemple.com

Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma SamBuddhassa

Respectfully pay homage to the Buddha: the World-Honored One, the

Worthy One, the Exalted One, the Fully Awakened or Enlightened One

(3 times, Bell).

Incense Offering

As wonderful as the lotus flower,

as bright as the northern star,

let us come back and take refuge in

the Teacher of gods and human beings.

As the incense is lit,

sandalwood perfumes the air,

making an auspicious rainbow cloud.

I, your disciple, with all my respect

offer it to the Buddhas of the Ten Directions.

May we practice the precepts seriously at all times

may we practice concentration diligently,

may we offer the precious fruit of insight

as our offering of incense of the heart.2

Respectfully we offer incense to the Buddha, Bodhisattvas, virtuous

and noble Sangha, dharma guardians, good gods, knowing and

understanding our wholehearted minds. [Bell]

2 Thich Nhat Hanh. Chanting from the Heart. Parallax Press, California: 2007, P. 180.

Touching the earth in deep gratitude to the Triple Gem

We, your disciples, wholeheartedly pay homage to the Buddha

forever present in the three lives and ten directions. (Bell, prostration)

We, your disciples, wholeheartedly pay homage to the Dharma

forever present in the three lives and ten directions. (Bell, prostration)

We, your disciples, wholeheartedly pay homage to the Sangha

forever present in the three lives and ten directions. (Bell, prostration)

Opening Verse

The Dharma is deep and lovely,

we now have a chance to see, study,

and to practice,

we vow to realize its true meaning. [Bell]

The Buddha

“The World-Honored Buddha;

the Teacher is our peaceful, noble, and spiritual Leader;

the Teacher is the most worthy to be made offerings;

the Teacher understands and loves;

the Teacher has fully virtuous conduct and insight;

the Teacher attained perfect peaceful joy and deliverance;

the Teacher understands the world fully;

the Teacher has the ability to subjugate people;

the Teacher of both gods and human beings;

the Teacher attained enlightenment and awakening completely;

the Teacher deserves to be best honored and respected by the world.”

(Bell)

Wholeheartedly pay homage to Siddhārtha Gautama Bodhisattva,

starting from Tusita heaven,

foreseeing a wholesome omen to holy Maya Queen,

riding a white elephant with six tusks,3

entering into his mother's fetus.

Namo Sakyamuni Buddhaya.

(Bell, one prostration)

Wholeheartedly pay homage to Siddhārtha Gautama Bodhisattva,

being born under an Ashoka tree,

being bathed by two currents of warm - cool water,4

stepping seven steps5 lifted out by seven lotuses,

confidently stating out that:

"An Enlightened One is topmost."

3 Six tusks represent the six authentic conduct vow of a Bodhisattva born in the world to help living beings, that is: Alms-giving, precepts protection, endurance, diligence, meditative concentration, and wisdom (Six Perfections - P. Pāramitā). 4 Two currents of water symbolize day and night, light and dark, happiness and suffering, etc. 5 Seven steps represent four directions: The East, West, South, North, and three times: The Past, Present, Future.

Namo Sakyamuni Buddhaya.

(Bell, one prostration)

Wholeheartedly pay homage to Siddhārtha Gautama Bodhisattva,

for forty five days and nights,

sitting diligently in deep meditation,

attaining fruit of full enlightenment,

under early morning starlight.

Namo Sakyamuni Buddhaya.

(Bell, one prostration)

Wholeheartedly pay homage to the Buddha,

throughout forty five years,

only proclaiming suffering,

and transforming suffering

to bring joy and peace to the world today.

Namo Sakyamuni Buddhaya.

(Bell, one prostration)

Wholeheartedly pay homage to the Buddha,

at the age of 80,

entering parinibbāna

under between two Sala trees

leaving his holy bodily relics all over the world.

Namo Sakyamuni Buddhaya.

(Bell, one prostration)

Wholeheartedly pay homage to the Buddha,

the Master of spiritual instruction,

the Teacher of gods and human beings,

the gentle compassion Father in all realms,

bringing welfare and well-being to all living things and living beings.

Namo Sakyamuni Buddhaya.

(Bell, one prostration)

Four Practitioner's Vows

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

Defilements are endless, I vow to cease them all.

Dharma cultivation is countless, I vow to practice it.

The Buddha's way is supreme, I vow to attain it. [Bell]

Sharing the Merit (Closing Verse)

May the merit of cultivation today

be directed toward all living things and living beings.

We and human beings

can realize the Buddha's way together.

Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu. [Bell, bell, bell]