• ZEN
    • What is Zen meditation?
    • INTRODUCTION COURSE 2023
    • Short Introduction
    • ZEN MASTER KOSEN
    • HISTORY of ZEN
    • SUTRAS
  • INFO
    • OPENING TIMES
    • NEXT SESSHIN
    • COVID & ZOOM
    • WHO ARE WE?
    • ANBI STATUS
    • ETHICAL CODE
  • CONTACT
    • CONTACT
    • INTERNATIONAL DOJOS
    • DOJO RENTAL
  • nl_NLNL
  • en_USEN
  • NEXT SESSHIN
  • Search
  • Menu Menu

Hannya Shingyo

The “Hannya Shingyo” is recited every morning after zazen. The sutra is about the relationship between zazen and daily life. The title reads: “The essence of the Sutra of Great Wisdom that makes it possible to transcend all boundaries.

Hanna Shingyo

(original)

Kan ji zai bo za tsu
Gyo jin han ya ha ra mi ta
Ji sho ken go on kai ku
Do i sai ku
Yaku sha ri shi

Shiki fu i ku
Ku fu i shiki
Shiki soku ze ku
Ku soku ze shiki
Ju so gyo shiki

Yaku bu nyo ze
Sha ri shi
Ze sho ho ku so
Fu sho fu metsu
Fu ku fu jo
Fu zo fu gen

Ze ko ku chu
Mu shiki mu ju so gyo shiki
Mu gen ni bi ze shin i
Mu shiki sho ko mi soku ho
Mu gen kai nai shi mu i shiki kai
Mu mu myo yaku mu mu myo jin
Nai shi mu ro shi yaku mu ro shi jin
Mu ku shu metsu do mu chi yaku mu toku i

Mu sho toku ko bo dai sa ta e
Han ya ha ra mi ta ko
Shin mu ke ge mu ke ge ko
Mu u ku fu on ri i sai ten do mu so ku gyo ne

Han san ze sho butso e
Han ya ha ra mi ta ko
Toku a noku ta ra san myaku san bo dai
Ko chi han ya ha ra mi ta
Ze dai jin shu ze dai myo shu
Ze mu jo shu ze mu to do shu
No jo i sai ku shin jitsu fu ko
Ko setsu han ya ha ra mi ta shu
Soku setsu shu watsu

Gya tei gya tei
Ha ra gya tei
Hara so gya tei
Bo ji so wa ka

Hannya Shingyo

Hanna Shingyo

(English translation)

The Maha Prajna Paramita Hrudaya Sutra
Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, when practicing deeply the Prajna Paramita,
Perceived that all five skandhas are empty and was saved from all suffering and distress.
Shariputra, form does not differ from emptiness; Emptiness does not differ from form.
That which is form is emptiness: That which is emptiness, form.
The same is true of feelings, perceptions, impulses, consciousness, Shariputra.
All dharmas are marked with emptiness; they do not appear nor disappear,
Are not tainted nor pure, do not increase nor decrease. Therefore in emptiness, no form,
No feelings, perceptions, impulses, consciousness; No eyes, no ears, no nose, no tongue, no body, no mind;
No color, no sound, no smell, no taste, no touch, no object of mind;
No realm of eyes and so forth until no realm of mind-consciouness; No ignorance
And also no extinction of it, and so forth until
no old-age-and-death
And also no extinction of them; No suffering, no origination, no stopping, no path;
No cognition, also no attainment. With nothing to attain.
The Bodhisattva depends on Prajna Paramita and his mind is no hindrance.
Without any hindrance no fears exist;
Far apart from every perverted view
He dwells in Nirvana. In the three worlds all Buddhas
Depend on Prajna Paramita,
And attain Anuttara-samyaksambodhi.
Therefore know the 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!

•

Shigu Seigan Mon

This short sutra represents the ideal of the bodhisattva consisting of it’s four fundamental vows, whose first vow – to save all sentient beings – contains the other three. Sung every morning, this sutra reminds us of the highest mission as practicioner of Mahayana Buddhism and human being in this world. Every day we renew this vow.

The Shigu Seigan Mon follows the Hannya Shingyo during ceremonies.

Shigu Seigan Mon

(original)

Shu Jo Muhen Seigando

Bonno Mujin Seigandan

Homon Muryo Seigangaku

Butsu Do Mujo Seiganjo

The four great vows of the Boddhisatva

(English translation)

No matter how numerous the sentient beings
I vow to save them all.

No matter how numerous the passions
I vow to defeat them all

No matter how numerous the dharmas,
I vow to aquire them all.

No matter the perfection which is the Way of the Buddah,
I vow to realise it.

•

Eko

This sutra is a commemoration of all the great masters mentioned. Not all the Budhhas and Patriarchs are mentioned in this brief recitation. The most important patriarchs of our Soto tradition such as Budhha, Bodhidharma, Dogen, Keisan, Kodo Sawaki, Taisen Deshimaru and Niwa Zenji are respectfully mentioned and thanked.

The Eko is recited during the morning ceremony.

EKO

(original)

Aogi koi nega waku wa sambo:
Fushite shokan wo tare tamae…
Jorai Maka Hannya Haramita Shingyo,
wo fujutsu, atsumuru tokoro no kudoku wa /

Dai Hon Kyo Shu, honshi Shakya Muni Butsu,
Shin Tan Shoso Bodai Daruma Daiosho,
Shusso Eihei Dogen Daiosho,
Keizan Jokin Daiosho,
Mokusho Senku Daiosho,
Kaku Kaku Rekidai No Daiosho, Narabini:
Somon Kodo Daiosho,
Mokudo Taisen Daiosho,
Zuigaku Rempo Zenji Daiosho:
no tame kamiji on ni mukui i
Honjitsu (nom du dojo) Dojo ni
sanzen seishu Ichido no kofuku wo
kinen sen koto wo.

EKO

(English translation)

We humbly call upon your true compassion and awakening.
Having sung the Sutra of Great Wisdom, we dedicate this ceremony
to each of the following great masters expressing our gratitude for their compassion:
To Buddha Shakyamuni, first master and pillar of the teaching, which is a great benefit,
to the great master Bodhidharma, ancient founder,
to the great master Eihei Dogen, founder of the school,
to the grand master Keizan Jokin,
to the grand master Mokusho Senku,
to each of the grand masters of past generations, and also:

to grand master Somon Kodo,
to grand master Mokudo Taisen,
to grand master Zuigaku Rempo,
…
we express our recognition.
we pray for the happiness of all participants of the pure assembly, today we come (name of the dojo) to practice zazen.

•

Fueko

This sutra is a universal invocation wishing that all sentient beings should awaken to the Way of the Budhha.

The Fueko is recited at the time of the short evening cermeony which closes the day.

Fueko

(original)

Negawaku wa kono kudoku wo motte,
amaneku issai ni oyoboshi,
warera to shujô to mina tomoni
butsudô wo jô zen koto wo.

Fueko

(English translation)

May the merits of reciting these sutras permeate all beings in all places,
so that all of us, sentient beings may realise together the way of the buddah.

•

Ji ho san shi

This sutra, which closes the ceremony, is recited as a sign of gratitude to all the Budhhas and the Patriarchs. The Ji ho San Shi is usually accompanied by sampaï; three prostrations.

JIHOSANSHI

(original)

Ji – Ho – San – Shi – I – Shi – Fu
Shi – Son – Bu – Sa – Mo – Ko – Sa
Mo – Ko – Ho – Ja – Ho – Ro – Mi

JIHOSANSHI

(English translation)

To all the buddahs, past, present and future, in the ten directions,
to all the bodhisatvas and patriarchs,
the sutra of the Great Wisdom
which allows us to go always further.

•

Takkesa Ge: the Kesa sutra

Also called the Kesa sutra, the Takkesa Ge is sung as a sign of veneration for the kesa, the Buddha’s robe. Before putting on the kesa, we place it above us, on our head, silently reciting the Takkesa Ge three times. During sesshins this sutra is sung together, by everybody, while still seated at the end of the morning zazen.

Dai Sai Gedda Pu Ku
Muso Fukuden Ie
Hibu Nyorai Kyo
Kodo Sho Shu Jo

Oh, robe of great liberation,
Kesa of formless happiness,
I faithfully receive the Budhha’s teaching,
to help liberate all beings.

•

Fukanzazengi

Universal guidelines for the practice of zazen written by master Dogen in 1227. This text Dogen wrote when he came back from China and Japan and began to teach Zen.

The essential way flows everywhere; how could it require practise or enlightenment? The essential teaching is fully available; how could effort be necessary? Furthermore, the entire mirror is free of dust; why take steps to polish it? Nothing is separate from this very place; why journey away?

And yet, if you miss the mark even by a strand of hair, you are as far apart from it as heaven from earth. If the slightest discrimination occurs, you will be lost in confusion. You may be proud of your understanding and have abundant realization, or you may have acquired outstanding wisdom and attained the way by clarifying the mind. However, even with high aspirations, if you wander about and get an initial glimpse of understanding, you may still lack the vital path that allows you to leap free of the body.

Observe the example of Shakyamuni Buddha at the Jeta Grove, who practised upright sitting for six years even though he was gifted with intrinsic wisdom. Still celebrated is the Master Bodhidharma of Shaolin Temple, who sat facing the wall for nine years, although he had already received the mind seal. Ancient sages were like this; who nowadays does not need to practise as they did?

Stop searching for phrases and chasing after words. Take the backward step and turn the light inward. Your body-mind of itself will drop away and your original face will appear. If you want to attain just this, immediately practise just this.

For zazen a quiet room is appropriate. Drink and eat in moderation. Let go of all involvement and let myriad things rest. Do not think good or bad. Do not judge right or wrong. Stop conscious endeavour and analytic introspection. Do not try to become a buddha. How could being a buddha be limited to sitting or not sitting?

In an appropriate place for sitting, set out a thick mat and put a round cushion on top of it. Sit either in the full- or half-lotus posture. For the full-lotus posture, first place the right foot on the left thigh, then the left foot on the right thigh. For the half-lotus posture, place the left foot on the right thigh. Loosen the robes and belts and arrange them in an orderly way. Then place the right hand palm up on the left foot, and the left hand on the right hand, with the ends of the thumbs lightly touching each other.

Sit straight up without leaning to the right or left and without bending forward or backward. The ears should be in line with the shoulders and the nose in line with the navel. Rest the tongue against the roof of the mouth, with lips and teeth closed. Keep the eyes open and breathe gently through the nose.

Having adjusted your body in this manner, take a breath and exhale fully, then sway your body to left and right. Now sit steadfastly and think not thinking. How do you think not thinking? Beyond thinking. This is the essential art of zazen.

The zazen I speak of is not learning meditation. It is simply the dharma gate of enjoyment and ease. It is the practise-realization of complete enlightenment. Realize the fundamental point free from the binding of nets and baskets. Once you experience it, you are like a dragon swimming in the water or a tiger reposing in the mountains. Know that the true dharma emerges of itself, clearing away hindrances and distractions.

When you stand up from sitting, move your body slowly and rise calmly, without haste. We understand from the past that going beyond the ordinary and sacred, where sitting and standing are effortless and boundless, depends solely on the power of zazen.

Furthermore, to bring forth the fundamental turning point by raising a finger, a pole, a needle, or a mallet, or to precipitate realization with a whisk, a fist, a stick, or a shout cannot be understood by discriminatory thinking. How can it be understood by the use of supernatural powers? Zazen is an awesome presence beyond form and description. How is it not the path prior to conception?

Thus do not be concerned with who is wise and who is foolish. Do not discriminate the sharp from the dull. To practise wholeheartedly is the true endeavour of the way. Practise-realization is not defiled, not special. It is a matter for every day.

Now in this human world and in other realms, in India and China, buddha ancestors invariably have maintained the buddha seal and upheld the teaching of zazen practise immersed in steadfastness. Although circumstances may vary in a thousand ways, just practise zazen, giving yourself fully to the realization of the way. Why give up the sitting platform of your own house and wander uselessly in the dust of a remote land? Once a wrong step is taken, you depart from the way.

Having received a human life, do not waste the passing moments,. Already upholding the buddha way, why indulge in the sparks from a flint? After all, form is like a dewdrop on the grass, life is like a flash of lightning – transient and illusory, gone in a moment.

Honoured practitioners of the way, do not grope for the elephant or doubt the true dragon. Endeavour on the immediate and straightforward way. Revere the mind that goes beyond study with effortless effort and surpasses all doing. Experience the enlightenment of the buddhas and correctly inherit the samadhi of the ancestors. Practise thusness continuously, and you will be thus. The treasury will open of itself for you to use as you wish.

•


KOSEN YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Kosen sangha has a YouTube channel with many interesting video's...


The Kosen sangha sings the Hannya Shingyo...

Master Deshimaru sings the Hannya Shingyo...

Deshimaru sangha sings the Hannya Shingyo...
Zen Dojo Amsterdam "Gyo Kai" | Andreas Bonnstraat 12 | 1091AX Amsterdam | Tel. 06 444 00 270 | info@zendojoamsterdam.nl
Scroll to top