DAILY MONASTIC CHANTING

Every day Nuns and Buddhists at Hương Sen Buddhist Temple, California, USA, have practiced and recited following the Vietnamese scripture, "Nghi Lễ Hàng Ngày - 50 Kinh Tụng và các Lễ Vía trong Năm" (Daily Chanting - Fifty Discourses and Annual Festivals) of the Pureland Sect, which was composed in 2021 by Bhikkhunī Thích Nữ Giới Hương. It is based on the original ritual of her late Master, the Venerable Elder Hải Triều m at Liên Hoa Temple and Dược Sư Temple.[1] 

Since many Vietnamese-Americans, Hispanic, native Americans, and English speakers have come to Huong Sen Temple in search of practice and ritual, Bhikkhunī Giới Hương composed an English version of DAILY MONASTIC CHANTING. It encompasses 15 popular rituals to serve the spiritual needs of any Buddhist sect, including the Pure Land and Meditation Traditions.

With regard to mindful chanting, we take sources from the sacred book, Chanting from the Heart: Buddhist Ceremonies and Daily Practices of Thích Nhất Hạnh. In the field of the Pureland School, we have taken material from the above Vietnamese scripture, "Nghi Lễ Hàng Ngày," and translated it into English.

We should chant at least once a day, any place and any time, or more often if we have more time. The chant will help to avoid negative thoughts, defilements, distractions-any of the myriad things that intrude into the one-pointed mind. We definitely feel the connectedness with Dharma (the Buddha's teaching), we feel the spirit being lifted up, the awakening and the settling of the mind to enter meditation. We will become bright, enduring, detached, diligent, generous, loving, understanding and so on . . . because we practice following the chanting and the role model of Buddhas.

Chanting out loud or silently listening to chanting can also be very relaxing as we go about our day. It can be used to calm our mind before work or sleeping.

For the sake of all the general practitioners, there are some changes, combinations, additions, reductions, and creations made in this English version. This is the first time that both traditions have been combined in an English version for the necessary needs at Huong Sen Buddhist Temple.

We would like to gratefully acknowledge with special thanks the Late Great Master, Thích Nhất Hạnh, and the Monks and Nuns of Plum Village for the book, Chanting from the Heart: Buddhist Ceremonies and Daily Practices. The book is really helpful in leading us to insight to realize the real nature of life, human beings, and the world as they are.

   We also would like to offer special thanks to our Late Esteemed Master, the Venerable Elder Bhikkhunī Hải Triều m, for guiding us daily in the right way of practice since the 1980s.

Bhikkhunī TN Giới Hương

[1] Please read: http://www.huongsentemple.com/index.php/vn/phat-phap/kinh-ta-ng-ca-a-cha-a-hs/6256-nghi-le-hang-ngay-20.