In order to assist those students joining us remotely, and/or for review before joining us in person, we offer this "Virtual Sutra Book." It is not required to chant the Sutras in order to join us. You are welcome to stand quietly if joining us in person, or sit quietly (with your microphone muted please) if joining us remotely. We encourage you to participate in service to the best of your abilities and comfort level. Please feel free to ask us any questions you may have.

By way of exposition, the Heart Sutra (which we typically recite in English) is a very well-known Zen text in which Avalokiteshvara (the Bodhisattava, or benevolent being, representing the spirit of compassion) addresses Shariputra (one of the Buddha's main disciples), educating Shariputra on certain fundamental Buddhist teachings. We recite the Heart Sutra as a way of connecting with our lineage, learning the teachings on a deeper level, and manifesting compassion and wisdom in our daily lives.

The "En Mei Juko Kanno Gyo" is chanted in Sino-Japanese and is a supplicaion to Avalokiteshvara (known as Kannon or Kanzeon in Zen), reminding us to practice compassion in all we do. The root teacher of our lineage, Maezumi Roshi, translated the En Mei Juko Kannon Gyo as follows: "Kanzeon! At one with the Buddha, related to all Buddhas in cause and effect. And to Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, joyful pure eternal being. Morning mind is Kanzeon, evening mind is Kanzeon. This very moment arises from mind, this very moment is not seperate from mind."

Our teacher, Daishin Roshi, often says, "The point of service is to generate energy." By reciting these Sutras, we generate positive energy, which we then dedicate to those who came before us in our lineage, to all those who are suffering, and to the benevelont beings helping us on our journey through life.

MAHA PRAJNA PARAMITA HEART SUTRA

(The Heart of the Perfection of Great Wisdom Sutra)

Avalokiteshavara Bodhisattva doing deep Prajna Paramita

Perceived the emptiness of all five conditions

And was freed of pain.

O Shariputra, form is no other than emptiness,

Emptiness no other than form;

Form is precisely emptiness, emptiness precisely form.

Sensation, perception, discrimination

And consciousness are also like this.

O Shariputra, all things are expressions of emptiness:

Not born, not destroyed; not stained, not pure;

Neither waxing nor waning.

Thus, emptiness is not form, not sensation, nor perception, discrimination or consciousness;

No eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind;

No color, sound, smell, taste, touch, thing;

No realm of sight… no realm of consciousness;

No ignorance, no end to ignorance…

No old age and death, no cessation of old age and death;

No path, no wisdom and no gain.

No gain – thus Bodhisattvas live this Prajna Paramita

With no hindrance of mind, no hindrance therefore no fear.

Far beyond all such delusion, Nirvana is already here.

All past, present and future Buddhas live this Prajna Paramita

And attain supreme, perfect enlightenment.

Therefore know that Prajna Paramita is the holy mantra, the

Luminous mantra, the supreme mantra, the incomparable mantra

By which all suffering is cleared.

This is no other than truth.

Therefore, set forth the Prajna Paramita mantra,

Set forth this mantra and proclaim:

Gate, Gate, Paragate, Parasamgate, Bodhi Svaha!

EN MEI JUKU KANNON GYO

Kan Ze On Na Mu Butsu Yo Butsu U En

Yo Butsu U En Bup Po So En Jo Raku Ga

Jo Cho Nen Kan Ze On Bo Nen Kan Ze On

Nen Nen Ju Shin Ki Nen Nen Fu Ri Shin

(recited three times with increasing speed)

Contact Sedona Zen Center

To inquire about Zen practice, the schedule, or to ask any questions, please use the form below.

Sedona Zen Center