INTERDEPENDENCE
Sunday, October 17, 2004
Coordinated by Denise Koerte, Lynsay Tsukamoto, Kristin Yanagawa, & Tammy Koerte
Kansho Bell
Let us listen to the sound. Let us feel the impermanence with our whole body and senses. Let us prepare ourselves to listen to the Dharma and practice the Dharma.
Opening Remarks
Good morning and welcome to our Dharma Practice Service. Today our theme is LEAN ON ME. We would like to start this service with a quote written from Helen Keller. This quotes says, Although the world is full of suffering, it also full of overcoming of it. This quote is kind of similar to all of the wars we are now having.Opening Readings
(Leader) VIOLENCE IS ESSENTIALLY WORDLESS, and it can begin only where thought and rational communication have broken down. Any society which is geared for violent action is by that very fast systematically unreasonable and inarticulate. Thought is not encouraged and the exchange of ideas is eschewed as filled with all manner of risk. Words are kept at a minimum, at least as far as their variety and content may be concerned, though they may pour over the armed multitude in cataracts: they are simply organized and inarticulate noise destined to arrest thought and release violence, inhibiting all desire to communicate with the enemy in any other way than by destructive impact.
- - Thomas Merto
Offering of Flowers & Incenses by Students
Collection and Offering of Offertory by Students
Opening Meditation
Bell (four times)Meditation
Bell (one time)
(Leader) ALL TREMBLE AT VIOLENCE; life is dear to all. Putting oneself in the place of another, one should not kill nor cause another to kill.
One who, while himself seeking happiness, oppresses with violence other beings who also desire happiness, will not attain happiness hereafter.
One who, while himself seeking happiness, does not oppress with violence other beings who also desire happiness, will find happiness hereafter.
- - No. 130-132 from AViolence, chapter 10
Reading of Homages (KIKYOMON)
(Leader) Hard it is to be born into human life; now we are living in it. Difficult it is to hear the Teachings of the Blessed One; now we hear them. If we do not gain emancipation in this present life, we may not be free from ill-faring in the ocean of births and deaths for kalpas. Let us reverently take refuge in the Three Treasurers. (All) We go to the Buddha for guidance. May we always walk in the way that leads to Enlightenment. (All) We go to the Dharma for guidance. May we submerged in the depth of the Teachings and gain Wisdom as deep as the ocean.(All) We go to the Sangha for guidance. May we all with one accord live the life of harmony in the spirit of brotherhood, free from the bondage of selfishness.
(Leader) Even though myriads of kalpas, hard it is to hear such excellent and profound Teachings. Now we are able to hear and receive them. Let us try to understand the Tathagata's Teachings.
Dharma Sharing on LEAN ON ME by Denise, Lynsay, Kristin, and Tammy
Dharma Sharing: How does Lean On Me relate to life as we speak of now, and the teachings.
Responsive Readings
It Matters What We Believe (Leader) Some beliefs are like walled gardens. They encourage exclusiveness, and the feeling of being especially privileged.(All) Other beliefs are expansive and lead the way into wider and deeper sympathies.
(Leader) Some beliefs are like shadows, clouding our days with fears of unknown calamities.
(All) Other beliefs are like sunshine, blessing us with the warmth of happiness.
(Leader) Some beliefs are divisive, separating the saved from the unsaved, friends from enemies.
(All) Other beliefs are bonds in a world community, where sincere differences beautify the pattern.
(Leader) Some beliefs are like binders, shutting off the power to choose one=s own direction.
(All) Other beliefs are like gateways opening wide vistas for exploration.
(Leader) Some beliefs weaken a person=s self-hood. They blight the growth of resourcefulness.
(All) Other beliefs nurture self-confidence and enrich the feeling of personal worth. (Leader) Some beliefs are rigid, like the body of death, impotent in a changing world. (All) Other beliefs are pliable, like the young sapling, evergrowing with the upward thrust of life.- - Sophia Lyons Fahs
Guiding Meditation
Bell (four times)
Meditation
Bell (one time)
Recitation of Golden Chain of Love
I am a link in Amida Buddha's Golden Chain of Love that stretches around the world. I must keep my link bright and strong.
I will try to be kind and gentle to every living thing and protect all who are weaker than myself.
I will try to think pure and beautiful thoughts, to say pure and beautiful words, and to do pure and beautiful deeds, knowing that on what I do now depends not only my happiness or unhappiness, but also those of others.
May every link in Amida Buddha's Golden Chain of Love become bright and strong, and may we all attain perfect peace.
GATHA "WHEN WE SEE THE GOLDEN SUN"
When we see the golden sun Shining from above
We are mindful Of the Buddha's love.
O'er us all His pure compassion Sheds its steadfast glow,
By His Doctrine Wisdom's Way to show.
When we see the silver moon Gleaming in the sky,
We remember Still our Lord is nigh;
By His blessed Law to guide us Thru this earthly night,
Out of sorrow Into joy and light.
Closing Readings
Those who speak against killing and who desire to spare the lives of all conscious beings are right. It is good to protect even the animals and insects. But what about those persons who kill time, what about those who are destroying wealth, and those who destroy political economy? We should not overlook them. Furthermore, what of the one who preaches without enlightenment? He is killing Buddhism.
From....Zen Flesh
Awakening Bell (one time)
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