LOVING KINDNESS

August 1, 2004

Coordinated by Sensei Koho Takata

Opening Remarks

Kansho (Ringing of the Bell)

"Let us listen to the sound.  Let us feel the impermanence with our whole bodies and senses.  let us prepare ourselves to listen to the Dharma and practice the Dharma."

Opening Reading from Dhammapada

(Sensei) Love is the very foundation of the Buddhist teachings.  Let us all practice the loving kindness in our daily lives.

(All) All that we are is the result of what we have thought.  it is founded on our thoughts.  It is made up of our thoughts.  If one speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows one, as the wheel follows the foot of the ox that draws the wagon.

All that we are is the result of what we have thought.  it is founded on our thoughts.  It is made up of our thoughts.  If one speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows one, like a shadow that never leaves.

"She abused me, he beat me, she defeated me, he robbed me"; In those who harbor such thoughts, hatred will never cease.

"She abused me, he beat me, she defeated me, he robbed me"; In those who do not harbor such thoughts, hatred will cease.

For never does hatred cease by hatred at any time.  Hatred ceases by love.  This is an eternal law.

Offerings of Flowers & Incenses by Students

Collection & Offering of Monetary Dana by Students

Opening Meditation

    Bell (four times)

    Meditation

    Bell (one time)

Reading of Metta Sutra

(Sensei) The word "Metta" means loving kindness.  When a group of monks told the Buddha that the spirits living near their forest monastery were causing others to suffer, the Buddha taught this Metta Sutra.

(Sensei) If you know what is truly good for you and understand the possibility of reaching a state of the Perfect Peace, this this is how you need to live.

(All) He or she who wants to attain peace should practice being upright, humble, and capable of using loving speech.  Peaceful and calm, and wise and skillful, not proud and demanding in nature.  Let him or her not do anything that will be disapproved of the wise ones.

(Sensei) Then, meditate like this,

(All) May all be happy and feel secure.  May all beings become happy in their heart of hearts.  And think of everything without exception; the weak and the strong, from the smallest to the largest, whether you can see them or not, living nearby or far away, beings living now or yet to arise.  May all beings become happy in their heart of hearts.

(All) May no one deceive or look down on anyone anywhere, for any reason.  Whether through feeling angry or through reacting to someone else, may no one want another to suffer.

(All) As strongly as a mother, perhaps risking her life, cherishes and protects her child, her only child, develop an unlimited heart for all beings.  Develop an unlimited heart for the entire universe, spreading the loving kindness above, below, and all around without limit.

(All) Whether you are standing in one place or traveling, sitting down or in bed, in all your walking house rest in this mindfulness, which is known as living in the perfect peace here and now.

(Sensei) Let each cultivate an infinite goodwill toward the whole world.

Dharma Sharing on Love Meditation Practice by Sensei

Responsive Reading

(Sensei) The Buddha taught us how to practice the love meditation.  Let us remember them and practice them in our daily lives.

(Sensei) First: let us practice to understand our own true nature.

(All) May I learn to deeply look at myself with the eyes of understanding and love.

(Sensei) Second: let us practice to aware of our sufferings.

(All) May I be able to recognize and touch the seeds of joy and happiness in myself.

(Sensei) Third: let us practice to deeply look at our poisons.

(All) May I learn to identify and see the sources of anger, hatred, craving, and delusion in myself.

(Sensei) Fourth: let us practice to extend our love to others.

(All) May all beings be happy.  May they be joyous and live in safety.  All living beings, whether weak or strong, tall or short, big or small, visible or not visible, near or far away, already born or yet to be born.  May all beings be happy.

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 things and protect all who are weaker than myself.

    I will try to think pure and beautiful thoughts, to say pure and beautiful words, and 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.

Closing Reading

    From Teachings on Love written by Thich Nhat Hanh

Awakening Bell

    Bell (one time)

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