Evening Chant of the Bell 09-03-26

May the sound of this bell transcend the ten realms/ to be heard by all in the darkness of the hells./ By realizing the emptiness of both hearing and sound, and completely penetrating the nature of phenomena/ May all sentient beings attain full awakening. Drum: 3 beats of drum with both sticks on sides (1x) “Service done, service done, service done, now meditate” (3x) “Amituofo” (36x, 2 sticks on “A,” 1 on “mituofo,” decrescendo) Amituofo 1x with both sticks on sides. 3 drum beats on front, bell, (bell says) Om karatiye svaha. 3 drum beats on front, bell, (bell says) Om karatiye svaha. “Amituofo” drum on front, bell, (bell says) Om karatiye svaha. The first stroke of the bell/ reaches to the heavens/ we resound these precious verses/ pervading realms below May Buddha’s splendor grow/ Dharma wheel keep turning/ Bless this land to be unpolluted/ and all people to be kind May beings in three realms and four births/ all cease rebirth/ may assemblies of spirits be freed/ from the sea of suffering May plentiful rain and snow/ prevent fires and famine/ may the seas to the borders/ be guided by good leaders Samsara’s sea has no end/ turn your mind, see the shore/ together may we awaken/ from the dream of ignorance May boundless worlds/ be pure and peaceful/ may donors near and far/ have good fortune and long life Three doors pacified/ Buddhadharma thrives/ may devas and Dharma protectors/ guard the sangha and Dharma May all who die/ in wars worldwide/ who have suffered and sacrificed/ be born in Pure Lands May parents and teachers/ Dharma and lay friends/ and deceased predecessors/ reach the other shore together Homage to Vairocana/ Buddha/ the pure Dharma body Homage to Rocana/ Buddha/ the perfect enjoyment body Homage to Shakyamuni/ Buddha/ with billions of form bodies Homage to Amitabha/ Buddha/ in the Land of Great Bliss Homage to Maitreya/ Buddha/ who will come in the future Homage to Manjushri/ Bodhisattva of/ Great Wisdom in/ Wutai Mountain’s golden realm Homage to Samantabhadra/ Bodhisattva of/ Great Practices/ in Emei Mountain’s silver realm Homage to Avalokiteshvara/ Bodhisattva of/ Great Compassion/ in Putuo Mountain’s crystal realm Homage to Ksitigarbha/ Bodhisattva of/ Great Resolves in/ Jiuhua Mountain’s dark realm (bell on alternate syllable) Homage to the Mahayana Perfection of Wisdom Sutras Homage to the Vulture’s Peak Gath’ring of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas (After last recitation, chant 3x) Homage to Sravasti Abbey’s/ protectors of teachings/ great gathering/ of bodhisattvas (bell)