THE THREE VOWS OF REFUGE
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[The Assembly Response is from a traditional Soto Zen Buddhist work
that was revised by Do-gen Kigen under the title, Kyo-ju-kaimon,
Doctrine of Jukai. Initiates take turns reading their vows, beginning
with the one sitting at the left-front corner facing the altar. With
each response they repeat the traditional vow, and then they read the
words they have composed as their own vow.]
Roshi: The Three Vows of Refuge.
Assembly: The Great Precepts of all the Buddhas have been maintained
and protected by all the Buddhas. Buddhas hand them down to Buddhas,
and Ancestral Teachers hand them down to Ancestral Teachers.
Acceptance and observance of the Precepts transcends past, present,
and future, and form the perfect accord in realization between teacher
and disciple, continuing through all ages.
Our great teacher Shakyamuni Buddha imparted them to Mahakashyapa, and
Mahakashyapa transmitted them to Ananda. Already the Precepts have
passed through many generations in direct succession, reaching down to
the present head of this temple.
Now, receiving the Great Precepts, I vow to requite my deep obligation
to the Buddhas and Ancestral Teachers. I pledge to establish these
Precepts as essential teachings for human beings and other beings so
that all will inherit the wisdom of the Buddha.
Roshi: I take refuge in the Buddha.
Initiate:: I take refuge in the Buddha....
Roshi: I take refuge in the Dharma.
Initiate:: I take refuge in the Dharma....
Roshi: I take refuge in the Sangha.
Initiate:: I take refuge in the Sangha....
THE THREE PURE PRECEPTS
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(The Assembly responses are from the Kyo-ju-kaimon.)
Roshi: The Three Pure Precepts.
I vow to maintain the Precepts.
Initiate:: I vow to maintain the Precepts....
Assembly: This is the cave whence all dharmas of all Buddhas arise.
Roshi: I vow to practice all good dharmas.
Initiate:: I vow to practice all good dharmas....
Assembly: This is the path of fulfilled enlightenment.
Roshi: I vow to save the many beings.
Initiate:: I vow to save the many beings....
Assembly: Transcending profane and holy, I liberate myself and others.
THE TEN GRAVE PRECEPTS
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[The first Assembly Responses to the Precepts are comments attributed
to Bodhidharma from the book, I-hsin Chieh-men (Isshin Kaimon, The
Precepts of One Mind), and the second is from the Kyo-ju-kaimon.]
Roshi: The Ten Grave Precepts.
I take up the Way of Not Killing.
Assembly: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the
everlasting Dharma, not giving rise to the idea of killing
is called the Precept of Not Killing.
Initiate:: I take up the Way of Not Killing....
Assembly: The Buddha seed grows in accordance with not taking life.
Transmit the life of Buddha's wisdom and do not kill.
Roshi: I take up the Way of Not Stealing.
Assembly: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the
unattainable Dharma, not having thoughts of gaining is
called the Precept of Not Stealing.
Initiate:: I take up the Way of Not Stealing....
Assembly: The self and things of the world are just as they are. The
gate of emancipation is open.
Roshi: I take up the Way of Not Misusing Sex.
Assembly: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the
ungilded Dharma, not creating a veneer of attachment is
called the Precept of Not Misusing Sex.
Initiate:: I take up the Way of Not Misusing Sex....
Assembly: The Three Wheels are pure and clear. When you have nothing
to desire, you follow the way of all Buddhas.
Roshi: I take up the Way of Not Speaking Falsely.
Assembly: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the
inexplicable Dharma, not preaching a single word is called
the Precept of Not Speaking Falsely.
Initiate:: I take up the Way of Not Speaking Falsely....
Assembly: The Dharma wheel turns from the beginning. There is neither
surplus nor lack. The whole universe is moistened with
nectar, and the truth is ready to harvest.
Roshi: I take up the Way of Not Giving or Taking Drugs.
Assembly: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the
intrinsically pure Dharma, not giving rise to delusions is
called the Precept of Not Giving or Taking Drugs.
Initiate:: I take up the Way of Not Giving or Taking Drugs....
Assembly: Drugs are not brought in yet. Don't let them invade. That is
the great light.
Roshi: I take up the Way of Not Discussing Faults of Others.
Assembly: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the
flawless Dharma, not expounding upon error is called the
Precept of Not Discussing Faults of Others.
Initiate:: I take up the Way of Not Discussing Faults of Others....
Assembly: In the Buddha Dharma, there is one path, one Dharma, one
realization, one practice. Don't permit fault- finding.
Don't permit haphazard talk.
Roshi: I take up the Way of Not Praising Myself while Abusing
Others.
Assembly: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the
equitable Dharma, not dwelling upon I against you is called
the Precept of Not Praising Myself while Abusing Others.
Initiate:: I take up the Way of Not Praising Myself while Abusing
Others....
Assembly: Buddhas and Ancestral Teachers realize the empty sky and the
great earth. When they manifest the noble body, there is
neither inside nor outside in emptiness. When they manifest
the Dharma body, there is not even a bit of earth on the
ground.
Roshi: I take up the Way of Not Sparing the Dharma Assets.
Assembly: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the genuine,
all-pervading Dharma, not being stingy about a single thing
is called the Precept of Not Sparing the Dharma Assets.
Initiate:: I take up the Way of Not Sparing the Dharma Assets....
Assembly: One phrase, one verse--that is the ten thousand things and
one hundred grasses; one dharma, one realization-- that is
all Buddhas and Ancestral Teachers. Therefore from the
beginning, there has been no stinginess at all.
Roshi: I take up the way of not indulging in anger.
Assembly: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the
selfless Dharma, not contriving reality for the self is
called the Precept of Not Indulging in Anger.
Initiate:: I take up the Way of Not Indulging in Anger....
Assembly: Not advancing, not retreating, not real, not empty. There is
an ocean of bright clouds. There is an ocean of solemn
clouds.
Roshi: I take up the Way of Not Defaming the Three Treasures.
Assembly: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious. In the realm of the
One, not holding dualistic concepts of ordinary beings and
sages is called the Precept of Not Defaming the Three
Treasures.
Initiate:: I take up the Way of Not Defaming the Three Treasures....
Assembly: The teisho of the actual body is the harbor and the weir.
This is the most important thing in the world. Its virtue
finds its home in the ocean of essential nature. It is
beyond explanation. We just accept it with respect and
gratitude.