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The sounds of our reciting spread throughout all realms.
Hearing this,
may the one mind of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas look after us.

Please guide me so that my mind becomes one with the mind of all Buddhas.
With the wisdom of the eye that’s not an eye,
please make this happen and look after me.

“How do we change? How do we become someone better? How do we transcend our habits?”

This really is the issue, because often times it looks like this only happens after a lot of pain. Yet even those habits happen because that’s the way we’re viewing things. That’s the way we look at the world and the way we expect that things should work. So if we want something different, then the first step is to practice viewing ourselves and the world from a different perspective. A more harmonious perspective. A perspective more in tune with the truth of how the world worlds. That’s what reciting these verses from the Thousand Hands Sutra can give us.

All things arising or disappearing, coming or going
are done through the foundation.
With a quietly flowing mind,
I will become one with my foundation.

This is the second part of the Noon Blessing. I’m, frankly, at a bit of a loss for words. What more can be said about this? Just let the meaning sink down within you. Does more need to be added to that? If we all keep raising these kinds of intentions, if we all using our minds like this, if we all keep viewing the world like this, then could we even guess at all the wonderful things that may grow from that?

Through the great compassionate, protecting power of one mind,
manifested by all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas,
may each one of us attain that which all beings long for.
May we all be free of serious disease,
healthy, and live our full term of years.
May our senses and perceptions be free of desire and attachments,
and may we always enjoy the company the virtuous and wise.
May our hardships come to an end.
May every kind of virtue and blessing grow within us, and wherever we go,
may good fortune ever flow forth.
Physically, may we all be free from the sufferings of disease and disaster,

Mentally, may we all be free from every kind of lust, obsession, and hatred,
and never again be seduced by these.
Spiritually, may all those practice meditation have the great question burst open,
and enlightenment shine forth from within them.
Let all those who study the sutras open the eye of wisdom,
and may they truly understand how the things of this world work.
Let all those who practice chanting,
experience samadhi and be grounded in it.
May everyone who drives cars be safe and avoid all accidents.
May those cultivating the good seeds of virtue and merit,
achieve success in accord with their capacity to handle that,
and the efforts they have made.
May all those who’ve lost their way,
may all those who are confused,
find the bright path.
Let us remember the great determination that first arose within us,
and follow that now to true awakening.
As we do so, may all hindrances and obstacles drop away.
Let each and every one of us be filled with the joy of knowing our true nature.

This is probably my favorite verse from this sutra. If I ever got a tattoo, this would be it. When I repeat this to myself, everything within me seems to settle down and find a calm place.

Like quietly flowing water,
may my heart always flow towards one mind.

I and my true self, together as one.
At this stage freely coming and going without a trace,
able to apply great unshakable wisdom,
using it without the least hindrance, as vast as an ocean.
Truly understand what this means.

The Great Compassion Dharani is my favorite section of The Thousand Hands Sutra! The entire text has such wonderful content, and is essentially an advanced guide to spiritual practice, but this section has a sense of poetry and rhythm that just calls out to me.

The Great Compassion Dharani

The profound ability within me
is awakened not by words,
but by the determination to save all beings

While we use the Dharma hall as a place to gather, it’s important to remember that we are the ones who carry around the true Buddha within us, wherever we go.

I take refuge in Buddha-nature,
my center, foundation, and teacher,
which transcends existence and nonexistence,
and through which enlightenment is attained.

I found myself starting to crowd more verses on each post, so that we could get to The Great Compassion Dharani that much sooner. However, this verse stopped me in my tracks. Just two short lines, yet it doesn’t need anything else.

I take refuge in one mind,
the all embracing treasure of compassion.

Last Sunday, I posted the Early Morning Blessing, and so I thought I’d put up the Noon Blessing this Sunday. It turns out that the English gets really long! So instead of trying to do the entire thing in one very, very long post, I’ll break it up into four pieces, and post a section of it on Sundays. This is the first part of four. Like the Early Morning Blessing, this is usually chanted by the senior sunim present at the ceremony.
This is a great mix of the traditional blessing, as well as Daehaeng Kun Sunim’s emphasis on remembering our inherent connection with everything. Although this too doesn’t seem very “zen,” there is actually nothing more zen (or seon) than non-dual compassion for others.

All Buddhas throughout all realms,
all the limitless treasure-beings of one mind,
all the infinite Dharma net that connects all things,
both living and dead,
Please remember your great compassionate vows,
Please be present here today,
Please hear these intentions and offer your help.
Treasures of one mind,
may we always be present with your great compassion
may we always be one with this great energy of one mind,
may we always put this into practice,
throughout all aspects of our life.
May all the virtue we have accumulated since time immemorial
comfort those still trapped in suffering,
may it help those striving for enlightenment,
and may it lead all beings, all together,
to true freedom.
May this virtue help the entire world to be at peace,
may the great light of one mind shine brighter each day,
and may all beings far and wide encounter the Buddha’s teachings.
May these great teachings spread without cease,
may this land be at peace and harmony for generation after generation,
May the great light of the Buddha-dharma fill all realms.

Here at __________________________________
on this middle world called the Earth,
We raise the great intention that
within this country, everyone is at peace and safe,
that South and North Korea shall be peacefully reunified,
that all the world may be tranquil
that the Earth should be free of all great disasters.
Here at this temple where the reflection of our true mind
can be seen like the moon in pure water,
with the utmost sincerity, with these pure offerings,
We raise the intention that all Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis, Shramanera,
Shramaneri, and postulates here at this temple are all healthy and safe.
May each and every layman, laywoman,
and child attending this ceremony be healthy and safe.

I take refuge in one mind,
free of all forms and shapes
it is able to become anything.
Like the love of a Bodhisattva,
the thoughts one mind gives rise to
embrace everything throughout all realms.