Sutra BookTable of Contents

Diamond Sangha
Sesshin Sutra Book

December 1991 version
Translations/revisions by Robert Aitken Roshi
of the Diamond Sangha Zen Buddhist Society,
Koko An, 2119 Kaloa Way, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA 96822

MEALTIME SUTRAS

Originally, Buddhist wayfarers ate only in the early morning and at noon, and this practice continues in Southern Buddhism. When the religion moved to a colder climate in China, a supper in the evening was added, but out of deference to tradition, it was called the "medicine stone," and consisted only of leftovers. In the Diamond Sangha, again out of deference to tradition (including rural American), the noon meal is called "dinner," and the evening meal "supper." Sutras are not recited for supper.

Meals are served formally to students as they sit in place in the dojo, facing into the room, in a modified Soto oryoki ceremony, using bowls and chopsticks.

Verse on Opening the Bowls

BUDDHA, BORN AT KAPILAVASTU,
ATTAINED THE WAY AT MAGADHA,
PREACHED AT VARANASHI,
ENTERED NIRVANA AT KUSHINAGARA.

NOW AS WE SPREAD THE BOWLS OF THE BUDDHA TATHAGATHA
WE MAKE OUR VOWS TOGETHER WITH ALL BEINGS;
WE AND THIS FOOD AND OUR EATING ARE VACANT.

WE TAKE REFUGE IN THE THREE TREASURES,
REMEMBERING OUR MANY HONORED GUIDES
WITH GRATITUDE FOR THEIR GIFTS OF WISDOM

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Ten Names of the Buddha

VAIROCHANA, PURE AND CLEAR DHARMAKAYA BUDDHA;
LOCHANA, FULL AND COMPLETE SAMBOGAKAYA BUDDHA;
SHAKYAMUNI, INFINITELY VARIED NIRMANAKAYA BUDDHA;
MAITREYA, BUDDHA STILL TO BE BORN;
ALL BUDDHAS EVERYWHERE, PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE;
MAHAYANA LOTUS OF THE SUBTLE LAW SUTRA;
MAJUSHRI, GREAT WISDOM BODHISATTVA;
SAMANTABHADRA, GREAT ACTION BODHISATTVA;
AVALOKITESHVARA, GREAT COMPASSION BODHISATTVA;
ALL VENERATED BODHISATTVAS, MAHASATTVAS,
THE GREAT PRAJUA PARAMITA.

PORRIDGE IS EFFECTIVE IN TEN WAYS
TO AID THE STUDENT OF ZEN.
NO LIMIT TO THE GOOD RESULT,
CONSUMMATING ETERNAL HAPPINESS

THESE THREE VIRTUES AND SIX FLAVORS
ARE OFFERED TO THE BUDDHA AND SANGHA;
MAY ALL BEINGS OF THE UNIVERSE
SHARE ALIKE THIS NOURISHMENT.

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Spirit of Acceptance

FIRST, WE CONSIDER IN DETAIL THE MERIT OF THIS FOOD AND REMEMBER HOW IT CAME TO US;

SECOND, WE EVALUATE OUR OWN VIRTUE AND PRACTICE, LACKING OR COMPLETE, AS WE RECEIVE THIS OFFERING;

THIRD, WE ARE CAREFUL ABOUT GREED, HATRED AND IGNORANCE, TO GUARD OUR MINDS AND TO FREE OURSELVES FROM ERROR;

FOURTH, WE TAKE THIS GOOD MEDICINE TO SAVE OUR BODIES FROM EMACIATION;

FIFTH, WE ACCEPT THIS FOOD TO ACHIEVE THE WAY OF THE BUDDHA.

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Hungry Ghost Offering

OH, ALL YOU HUNGRY GHOSTS,
WE NOW OFFER THIS FOOD TO YOU;
MAY ALL OF YOU EVERYWHERE
SHARE IT WITH US TOGETHER.

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On Lifting the Bowl in Gratitude

THE FIRST PORTION IS FOR THE THREE TREASURES,
THE SECOND IS FOR THE FOUR BLESSINGS,
THE THIRD IS FOR THE SIX PATHS;
TOGETHER WITH ALL WE TAKE THIS FOOD.

THE FIRST TASTE IS TO CUT OFF ALL EVIL,
THE SECOND IS TO PRACTICE ALL GOOD,
THE THIRD IS TO SAVE ALL BEINGS;
MAY WE ALL ATTAIN THE WAY OF THE BUDDHA.

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On Washing the Bowls

WE WASH OUR BOWLS IN THIS WATER;
IT HAS THE FLAVOR OF AMBROSIAL DEW;
WE OFFER IT TO ALL HUNGRY GHOSTS;
MAY ALL BE FILLED AND SATISFIED.

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At the End of the Meal

THE WORLD IS LIKE AN EMPTY SKY;
THE LOTUS DOES NOT ADHERE TO WATER;
OUR MINDS SURPASS THAT IN PURITY;
WE BOW IN VENERATION TO THE MOST EXALTED ONE.

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Verse for Informal Meals

This may be a translation of a Far Eastern gatha. There are several english variations.

We venerate the Three Treasures
and are thankful for this meal,
the work of many people
and the sharing of other forms of life.

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Oryoki practice is a way of extending our meditation into the meals during a retreat. It is a monastic tradition over a thousand years old, and most people who try it come to deeply appreciate its elegance and simplicity. you receive and eat your food, and then clean up afterwards, while remaining on your meditation cushion.

- Joan Sutherland Sensei
California Diamond Sangha

Verse for Informal Meals

This may be a translation of a Far Eastern gatha. There are several english variations.

We venerate the Three Treasures
and are thankful for this meal,
the work of many people
and the sharing of other forms of life.

The ascii version of these texts can be acquired from the Electronic Buddhist Archives section of the Coombspapers Social Sciences Research Data Bank