Mornings she repeats ancient texts
abjuring illusion, anger, fear;
speaks the names of
friends and others, ill or passed
Morning
service at "Gogo-an" consists of Robe Chant, zazen, Heart Sutra, nine
bows, Dedications (reading of the current Memorial List, reading of the
current Well-Being List), Bodhisattva Vows, Refuges, six days a week.
One can see from all the capitalization that there is certainly some
risk of pietism, which she guards against warily. Heart Sutra is
supposed to be chanted, but she’s not good at this and just reads it
aloud.
Beings are numberless; I vow to free them.
Delusions are inexhaustible; I vow to end them.
Dharma gates are boundless; I vow to enter them.
Buddha’s way is unsurpassable; I vow to attain it.
-- Bodhisattva Vows