This handbook contains the liturgy for daily morning and evening recitation as well as for special ceremonies in Mahayana Buddhist monasteries. The Chinese text for these ceremonies is accompanied by Yale Romanization and English translation. Morning ceremony, which traditionally last from 4 to 5 am every morning, consists of the Surangama Mantra (from the Surangama Sutra), the Great Compassion Mantra and other shorter mantras, the Heart Sutra, and the Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra (Universal Worthy) Bodhisattva taken from the Avatamsaka (Flower Adornment) Sutra. Evening ceremony traditionally lasts between 6 to 7 pm and alternates between the Amitabha Sutra and the Eighty-Eight Buddha Repentance Ceremony. In addition, the handbook contains ceremonies for liberating life, bathing the Buddha, the Great Compassion Repentance Ceremony, among others. It also includes the Ullambana Sutra, the sutra on the practice of filial respect.

Verses on the Eighty-Four Transformational beings that correspond to each line of the Great Compassion Mantra.

In China Buddhism flourished during the Liang Dyansty (502–587) due in large part to Emperor Wu, who personally met with Bodhidharma, the 28th Indian patriarch from Shakyamuni Buddha. Legend has it that Emperor Wu’s first wife died prematurely and fell into the lower realms. In order to rescue her and to help her spirit ascend to the heavens, Emperor Wu, a great patron of Buddhism, had Chan Master Baozhi compose a repentance ceremony on her behalf. The resulting repentance text was so successful and popular that it is still used in monasteries today. Repentance Dharma of Kindness and Compassion in the Bodhimanda is a complete English translation of what is popularly known as “The Jeweled Repentance of the Emperor of Liang.” It was translated over a period of 15 years by the monks, nuns and laity of the Buddhist Text Translation Society (BTTS). BTTS was founded in 1970 in San Francisco by Tripitaka Master Hsuan Hua as part of the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association. BTTS publishes sutra translations, instructional handbooks, biographies, children’s books, and introductory material on Buddhism.

Not everyone is fortunate enough to attend a meditation retreat with a Chan master, yet everyone can benefit from this handbook that explains the essential principals of chan meditation as taught by the late Tripitika Master Hsuan Hua, former instructor at Nan Hua Monastery in Canton, China, the bodhimanda of the Sixth Patriarch Hui Neng. Compiled from Chinese and translated into English, these talks span a 40 year period during retreats in China and America. Topics covered include - What are the benefits of meditation? - How do we sit in meditation? - What are the states of meditation? - How do we reach nirvana? - What is absolute enlightenment?

You don't live in a cloister or a monastery, but you take your prayer life seriously and want to explore ways to pray regularly and better. The Liturgy of the Hours is one of those ways—but for those of us who find it a little intimidating, Daria Sockey provides a solid overview to this ancient prayer practice. The Everyday Catholic's Guide to the Liturgy of the Hours will answer questions like: What is the history of the Liturgy of the Hours? How can the Liturgy of the Hours fit into a busy schedule? Why is the Liturgy of the Hours relevant today? Print or online resources: Which is better? There is a rhythm of prayer, not just throughout the day, but throughout the year. Sockey explores the spiritual riches of the seasons, the saints, and special feast days, which add depth and variety to prayer. She also addresses the practice of praying the Scriptures, especially the psalms, and helps the reader to appreciate the universal beauty of these ancient prayers. Don't let concerns about "what page am I supposed to be on?" scare you away. Sockey will be your guide to answer common questions and overcome common fears. Your prayer life will never be the same!

This Plum Village Chanting and Recitation Book is a most valuable resource for anyone interested in liturgy and everyone who just wants to celebrate life and practice the art of mindful living. It contains chants and recitations for daily spiritual practice and for such occasions as blessing a meal, celebrating a wedding, comforting the sick and remembering the deceased. Also included are more than twenty discourses comprising some of the most fundamental teachings of the Buddha and his enlightened students, including the Heart Sutra, The discourse on the Mindfulness of Breathing, the Discourse on Happiness, the Discourse on Taking Refuge in Oneself and the Discourse on Love. Many of the chants include sheet music. An unprecedented collection of traditional and contemporary Buddhist chants, recitations, and ceremonial texts for daily spiritual practice when first published in the Fall of 2000, this new paperback edition was completely revised in Plum Village, Thich Nhat Hanh's practice center in France. Plum Village Chanting and Recitation Book is the quintessential resource and reference book for Buddhist practitioners on any level of experience, and for anyone who wants to celebrate life and practice the art of mindful living.