Statement of Purpose

Our practice aims to cultivate a mindful way of being.
We recite vows to strengthen our convictions and verses to remind ourselves of our purpose.
We sit in silence to forget the self without expecting to forget the self.

Homage to Our Teachers

We bow in gratitude to Shakyamuni Buddha,
and the countless teachers whose wisdom and compassion have illuminated
the path of Zen for sentient beings everywhere.

Transfer of Merit

May the merit generated by this practice benefit all sentient beings,
so that they may find freedom from suffering.

Refuge in the Triple Gem

Pali:

• Buddham Saranam Gacchami
• Dhammam Saranam Gacchami
• Sangham Saranam Gacchami

Translation:
I go for refuge in the Buddha,
I go for refuge in the Dharma,
I go for refuge in the Sangha.

Meditation

The Bodhisattva Vow

Sentient beings are numberless; I vow to save them.
Desires are inexhaustible; I vow to end them.
Dharmas are boundless; I vow to master them.
The Buddha Way is unattainable; I vow to attain it

The Prajñā Pāramitā Heart Sūtra

The Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara,
While practicing deeply the Perfection of Wisdom,
Clearly saw that all five aggregates are empty
And was relieved from all suffering.

Shariputra, form does not differ from emptiness,
Emptiness does not differ from form;
That which is form is emptiness,
That which is emptiness is form;

The same is true of feelings,
perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness.

Shariputra, all dharmas are marked with emptiness;
they do not arise nor cease,
are not defiled nor pure,
do not increase nor decrease.

Therefore, in emptiness, no form, no feelings,
no perceptions, no mental formations, no consciousness;

No eyes, no ears, no nose, no tongue,
No body, no mind;
No form, no sounds, no smells, no tastes, no objects of touch,
No objects of mind; no realms of the eyes
Up to no realms of mind consciousness;

No ignorance and also no ending of ignorance,
Up to no old age and death, no ending of old age and death;
No suffering, no cause of suffering,
No cessation of suffering, no path;
No wisdom, no attainment, and no non-attainment.

Therefore, the Bodhisattvas, relying on Prajna Paramita,
Have no obscurations of mind.
Having no obscurations, there is no fear;
Far from all distorted views,
They dwell in Nirvana.

All Buddhas of the past, present, and future,
Rely on Prajna Paramita,
And attain Anuttara Samyak Sambodhi.

Therefore, know that Prajna Paramita,
Is the great transcendent mantra,
Is the great bright mantra,
Is the utmost mantra,
Is the supreme mantra,
Which is able to relieve all suffering,
And is true, not false.

So proclaim the Prajna Paramita mantra,
Proclaim the mantra that says:

Gate, gate, paragate, parasamgate, bodhi svaha!
Gate, gate, paragate, parasamgate, bodhi svaha!
Gate, gate, paragate, parasamgate, bodhi svaha!