The Refuge Chant

Incense perfumes the atmosphere.

A lotus blooms and the Buddha appears.

The world of suffering and discrimination

is filled with the light of the Rising Sun.

As the dust of fear and anxiety settles,

with an open heart and one-pointed mind

I turn to the Three Jewels.    (Bell)

The Fully Enlightened One,

beautifully seated, peaceful and smiling,

the living source of understanding and compassion,

to the Buddha I go for refuge. (Bell)

The path of mindful living,

leading to healing, joy, and enlightenment,

the way of peace,

to the Dharma I go for refuge. (Bell)

The loving and supportive community of practice,

realising harmony, awareness, and liberation,

to the Sangha I go for refuge. (Bell)

I am aware that the Three Gems are within my heart.

I vow to realise them,

practicing mindful breathing, smiling,

and looking deeply into things.

I vow to understand living beings and their suffering.

I vow to cultivate compassion and loving kindness,

and to practice joy and equanimity. (Bell)

I vow to offer joy to one person in the morning,

and to help relieve the grief of one person in the afternoon.

I vow to live simply and sanely with few possessions,

and to keep my body healthy.

I vow to let go of all worries and anxiety

in order to be light and free. (Bell)

I am aware that I owe so much to my parents,

teachers, friends, and all beings.

I vow to be worthy of their trust, to practice wholeheartedly

so that understanding and compassion will flower,

helping living beings to be free from their suffering.

May the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha

support my efforts. (Two bells)