Gathas
4.1
The Five Remembrances
There
is no way to escape growing old.
There
is no way to escape having ill-health.
There
is no way to escape death.
All
that is dear to me and every one I love are of the nature to change.
There
is no way to escape being separated from them.
(Bell)
My
actions are the ground on which I stand.
All
wrongdoing arises from the mind.
When
the mind is purified, what trace of wrong is left?
After
repentance, my heart is light like the white clouds
That have always floated over the ancient forest in freedom.
(Two
Bells)
Our
lives are shorter.
Now
we look carefully.
What
have we done?
let
us be diligent,
engaging
in the practice.
Let
us live deeply,
free
from our afflictions,
aware
of impermanence
so
that life does not
drift
away without meaning.
I
send my heart along with the sound of the bell.
May
the hearers awaken from forgetfulness
And
transcend all anxiety and sorrow.
4.5
Inviting the Bell to Sound (Version 2)
May
the sound of this bell penetrate deeply into the cosmos.
In
even the darkest spots, may living beings hear it clearly,
So
their suffering will cease,
Understanding
arise in their hearts,
And
they can transcend the path of anxiety and sorrow.
Namo
Shakyamunaye Buddhaya.
4.6
Inviting the Bell to Sound (Version 3)
May
the sound of this bell penetrate deeply into the cosmos
So
that beings, even those in dark places,
May
hear it and be free from birth and death.
May
all beings realize awakening and find their way home.
Namo
Shakyamunaye Buddhaya.
4.7
Listening to the Bell (Version
1)
Listen,
listen,
This
wonderful sound
Brings
me back
To
my true home.
4.8
Listening to the Bell (Version 2)
Listen,
listen,
This
wonderful sound
Brings
me back
To
my true self.
4.9
Listening to the Bell (Version 3)
Listening
to the bell, I feel my afflictions begin to dissolve.
My
mind is calm, by body relaxed,
A
smile is born on my lips.
Following
the bell’s sound,
To
the safe island of mindfulness.
In
the garden of my heart,
The
flower of peace blooms beautifully.
Namo
Shakyamunaye Buddhaya.
4.10
Listening to the Bell (Version 4)
Hearing
the bell,
I
am able to let go of all my afflictions.
My
heart is calm, my sorrows ended.
I
am no longer bound to anything.
I
learn to listen to my suffering
And
the suffering of the other person.
When
understanding is born in me,
Compassion
is also born.
4.11
Entering the Meditation Hall
Entering
the meditation hall,
I
see my true mind.
I
vow that once I sit down,
All
disturbances will stop.
4.12
Sitting Down
Sitting here
Is
like sitting under the Bodhi tree.
My
body is mindfulness itself,
Entirely
free from distraction.
4.13
Lighting a Candle
Respectful
of countless Buddhas,
I
calmly light this candle,
Brightening
the face of the Earth.
As
refreshing as a lotus flower
As
bright as the North Star:
To
the Buddha I go for refuge.
4.14
Finding a Stable Sitting Position
In
the lotus position,
The
human flower blooms.
The
udumbara flower is present,
Giving
forth its fragrance.
4.15
Adjusting Meditation Posture
Feelings
come and go
Like
clouds in a windy sky.
Conscious
breathing
is
my anchor.
4.16
Following the Breath
Breathing
in, I calm my body.
Breathing
out, I smile.
Dwelling
in the present moment,
I
know this is a wonderful moment!
Breathing
in, I know that I am breathing in.
Breathing
out, I know that
As
the in-breath grows deep,
The
out-breath grows slow.
Breathing
in makes me calm.
Breathing
out makes me feel at ease.
With
the in-breath, I smile.
With
the out-breath, I release.
Breathing
in, there is only the present moment.
Breathing
out, it is a wonderful moment.
In,
Out; Deep, Slow;
Calm,
Ease; Smile, Release;
Present
Moment, Wonderful Moment.
Breathing
in, I am so happy to hug my child,
Breathing
out, I know she is real and alive in my arms.
4.18
Silent Meals
We eat in silence to be able to see the preciousness of the food and to look at the friends who are sitting with us at the meal. That looking and seeing can only be deepened when we know how to eat and meditate at the same time. This kind of meditation is not tiring, it does not use up the energy of the brain or make our digestive system tired. To the contrary, it purifies us, brings us greater health and greater peace and joy. The silence is what makes our meditation successful. The food that we are eating gives us the opportunity to see the very close relationship between ourselves and the universe, between ourselves and the planet Earth, between ourselves and others of the same and other species. Every vegetable, every drop of soy sauce, every piece of tofu contains in it the life of the whole of the planet Earth and the sun. We can see the meaning and the value of our own life through every small mouthful of food, and we can see how precious each mouthful is.
We are aware that we are sitting at the table with others, and we have the opportunity to see them clearly, in a very real way. We have the opportunity to smile at them—a smile of real friendship that has the nature of a deep communication. The images contained in the following gathas are all real: we must be able to see them and use them to look deeply into all that is. The first time we eat in silence may seem a little strange or unnatural. But if we become accustomed to eating in silence, we will see that silent meals can bring us a lot of happiness, peace, and insight.
a.
The
Five Contemplations
This
verse is read aloud by one person before a formal meal.
This food is the gift of the whole universe—the earth, the sky, and much hard work.
May we live in a way that makes us worthy to receive it.
May we transform our unskillful states of mind, and learn to eat with moderation.
May we take only foods that nourish us and prevent illness.
We accept this food so that we may realize the path of love and understanding.
b.
Lifting Our Empty Plate.
The word “plate” can be replaced by “bowl.” This verse helps us meditate on the state of hunger in the world.
My plate, empty now,
Will soon be filled
With precious food.
c.
Seeing the Plate filled with Food
This
verse helps us meditate on interdependent origination, using the image of the
food we are to eat. It helps us to
see that our own life depends on the life of all other species.
In this food,
I see clearly the presence
Of the entire universe
Supporting my existence.
d.
Sitting Down
This
verse is a promise that we will guard our mindfulness throughout the meal.
Sitting here
Is like sitting under the Bodhi tree.
My body is mindfulness itself,
Entirely free from distraction.
e.
Looking at the Plate of Food before the First Mouthful
This
verse helps us nourish our feeling of love and compassion towards those less
lucky than we are.
Many beings are struggling for food today.
I pray that they all may have enough to eat.
f.
Contemplating Your Food
This
verse helps us see the work of the farmer and the tens of thousands of children
who die from lack of food every day.
This plate of food,
So fragrant and appetizing,
Also contains much suffering.
g.
The First Four Mouthfuls
The
verse can be recited slowly while chewing the first four mouthfuls.
It helps us to remember the four limitless minds—love, compassion, joy,
and letting-go. These four
beautiful dwelling-places for our minds are the four great actions of the
buddhas and bodhisattvas.
With the first taste, I promise to offer joy.
With the second, I promise to help relieve the suffering of others.
With the third, I promise to see others’ joy as my own.
With the fourth, I promise to learn the way of non-attachment and equanimity.
h.
Looking at the Plate When We Have Eaten
This
verse reminds us of the Four Gratitudes—to parents, teachers, friends and all
beings in the animal, vegetal, and mineral worlds.
The plate is empty.
My hunger is satisfied.
I vow to live
For the benefit of all beings.
4.19
Holding up a Cup of Tea
This
verse helps us return to the life of the present moment and see the presence of
those around us, the world around us, and all the tiny, essential details of
life in the present moment.
This cup of tea in my two hands—
Mindfulness is held uprightly!
My mind and body dwell
In the very here and now.
4.20
Holding a Cookie
This
gatha originated during a Family & Friends retreat of the Washington
Mindfulness Community.
In the sweetness of this cookie,
I taste the joy of the universe
Dancing on my tongue
4.21
Washing the Dishes
Washing the dishes
Is like bathing a baby Buddha.
The profane is the sacred.
Everyday
mind is Buddha’s mind.
4.22
Verses for Starting the Day
a.
Waking Up
Waking up this morning, I smile.
Twenty-four brand new hours are before me.
I vow to live fully in each moment
And to look at all beings with eyes of compassion.
b.
Taking the First Step of the Day
Walking on the Earth
Is a miracle!
Each mindful step
Reveals the wondrous Dharmakaya.
c.
Opening the Window
Opening the window,
I look out onto the Dharmakaya.
How wondrous is life!
Attentive to each moment,
My mind is clear like a calm river.
d.
Looking in the Mirror
Awareness is a mirror
Reflecting the four elements.
Beauty is a heart that generates love
And
a mind that is open..
e.
Using the Toilet
Defiled or immaculate,
Increasing or decreasing—
These concepts exist only in our minds.
The
reality of interbeing is unsurpassed.
f.
Turning on the Water
Water flows from high in the mountains.
Water runs deep in the Earth.
Miraculously, water comes to us
And
sustains all life.
g.
Washing your Hands
Water flows over these hands.
May I use them skillfully
To preserve our precious planet.
h.
Brushing your Teeth
Brushing my teeth and rinsing my mouth,
I vow to speak purely and lovingly.
When my mouth is fragrant with right speech,
A flower blooms in the garden of my heart.
i.
Bathing
Unborn and indestructible,
Beyond time and space—
Both transmission and inheritance
Lie in the wonderful nature of the Dharmadhatu.
j.
Looking at your Hand
Whose hand is this
That has never died?
Has anyone been born?
Will anyone die?
k.
Washing your Feet
Peace and joy in each toe—
My
own peace and joy.
l.
Getting Dressed
Putting on these clothes,
I am grateful to those who made them
And to the materials from which they were made.
I wish everyone could have enough to wear.
4.23
Verses for Other Daily Activities
a.
Walking Meditation
The mind can go in a thousand directions.
But on this beautiful path, I walk in peace.
With each step, a fresh breeze rises.
With each step, a flower blooms.
b.
Gardening
Earth brings us into life
And nourishes us.
Earth takes us back again.
Birth and death are present in every moment.
C.
Planting Trees or Other Plants
I entrust myself to Earth;
Earth entrusts herself to me.
I entrust myself to Buddha;
Buddha entrusts herself to me.
d.
Watering the Garden (version 1)
Water and sun
Green these plants.
When the rain of compassion falls,
Even a desert becomes an immense green ocean.
e.
Watering the Garden (version 2)
Dear plant, you are not alone.
This stream of water comes from Earth and sky.
We are together for innumerable lifetimes.
f.
Cutting a Flower
May I cut you, little flower,
Gift of Earth and sky?
Thank you, dear bodhisattva,
For making life beautiful.
g.
Arranging Flowers
Arranging this flower
In the saha world.,
The ground of my mind
Is pure and calm.
h.
Washing Vegetables
In these fresh vegetables
I see a green sun.
All dharmas join together
To make life possible.
Throwing
Out the Garbage
In the garbage I see a rose.
In the rose, I see the garbage.
Everything is in transformation.
Even permanence is impermanent.
i.
Smiling at Your Anger
Breathing in, I know that anger makes me ugly.
Breathing out, I do not want to be contorted by anger.
Breathing in, I know I must take care of myself.
Breathing out, I know loving kindness is the only answer.
j.
Using the Telephone
Words can travel thousands of miles.
May my words create mutual understanding and love.
May they be as beautiful as gems,
As lovely as flowers.
k.
Turning on the Television
The mind is a television
With thousands of channels.
I choose a world that is tranquil and calm
So that my joy will always be fresh.
l.
Turning on the Computer
Turning on the computer,
My mind is in touch with the store-consciousness.
I vow to transform habit energies
To help love and understanding grow.
m.
Driving the Car
Before starting the car
I know where I am going.
The car and I are one
If the car goes fast, I go fast.
n.
Turning on the Light
Forgetfulness is the darkness;
Mindfulness is the light.
I bring awareness
To
shine upon all life.
A
Buddha to be.
As
I clean this fresh, calm room,
Boundless
joy and energy arise!
As
I carefully sweep the ground of enlightenment
A
tree of understanding springs up from the Earth.
r.
Cleaning the Bathroom
How wonderful it is to scrub and clean.
Day
by day, the heart and mind grow clearer.