When visiting Huế, you may intentionally or eventually attend a Buddhist chanting at a pagoda. Each pagoda has many ceremonies a day, various practices and different Sutras to chant, but the most popular may be the daily chanting of Amitabha Sutra (Kinh A Di Đà Nhật Tụng). In such event, without a Buddhist background or practice, you may find it hard to follow. That’s why we want to share with you some basic understanding of a typical daily Buddhist chanting. In general, the monk will lead the ceremony through several stages.
The first is INCENSE OFFERING: The host monk is kneeling in front of the Buddha altar holding 3 incense sticks, chanting “Namo abiding Three Jewels in ten directions (3 times). It is also follow with a chant.
Secondly, he stands up with hands joined together and chants the verse “IN PRAISE OF THE BUDDHA”. Then there will be a silent REFLECTION “Quán tưởng”.
Next, all will PAY HOMAGE TO THE BUDDHA, with 3 bows or prostration.
And the ceremony continues with the chanting of THE GREAT COMPASSION MANTRA (Chú Đại Bi) and so on.
If you want to learn more or engage in a real spiritual experience, even including cooking and eating vegetarian food as a monk, our team at TCP Slow Travel Hue will be there to help you. Huế is a city of Buddhism, and we have connected with many ancient pagodas, prepared our guides and involved people to assist you on a meaningful journey of mind, body and soul. But most importantly, we ensure that it is not a superficial touristic sightseeing. Contact us to let us know your interest.
Below is a short movie that we filmed 2 regular practices that you can follow if by chance you join a Buddhist ceremony.
TÁN PHẬT
Pháp Vương Vô Thượng Tôn,
Tam giới vô luân thất,
Thiên nhơn chi Đạo sư,
Tứ sanh chi từ phụ, Ư nhứt niệm qui y,
Năng diệt tam kỳ nghiệp,
Xưng dương nhược tán thán,
Ức kiếp mạc năng tận.
Translation: IN PRAISE OF THE BUDDHA
(Standing up, hands joined together)
Supreme King of Dharma
Unsurpassable in three realms
Teacher in realms of heaven and man
Good Father of fourfold disciples
As we take refuge in a single thought
Three karmas (in body, speech and mind) will be extinguished
Our praise and homage to the Lord Buddha
Is endless, for billions of kalpas (bow)
ĐẢNH LỄ
Nhất tâm đảnh lễ: Nam mô tận hư không, biến pháp giới, quá hiện vị lai, thập phương chư Phật, Tôn pháp, Hiền Thánh Tăng, thường trụ Tam Bảo. ( 1 lạy )
Nhất tâm đảnh lễ: Nam mô Ta Bà Giáo chủ Bổn Sư Thích Ca Mâu Ni Phật, Đương lại hạ sanh Di Lặc Tôn Phật, Đại Trí Văn Thù Sư Lợi Bồ Tát, Đại Hạnh Phổ Hiền Bồ Tát, Hộ Pháp Chư Tôn Bồ Tát, Linh Sơn Hội Thượng Phật Bồ Tát. ( 1 lạy )
Nhất tâm đảnh lễ Nam mô Tây phương Cực lạc thế giới đại từ đại bi A Di Đà Phật, Đại Bi Quán Thế Am Bồ Tát, Đại Thế Chí Bồ Tát, Đại Nguyện Địa Tạng Vương Bồ Tát, Thanh Tịnh Đại Hải Chúng Bồ Tát. ( 1 lạy )
Translation: HOMAGE TO THE BUDDHA
(Prostration to the Buddha)
Wholeheartedly, I pay homage: Namo Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha abiding in past, present and future in ten directions from the emptiness of the whole universe (1 prostration)
Wholeheartedly, I pay homage: Namo Samsara World Original Teacher Shakyamuni Buddha, future born Buddha Maitreya, great wisdom Manjusri Bodhisattva, great virtue Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, Dharma protector Bodhisattvas, Vulture Peak Assembly Buddhas and Bodhisattvas (1 prostration) [divider height=”5″]
Wholeheartedly, I pay homage: Namo Western Paradise great compassion and loving-kindness Amitabha Buddha, great compassion Avalokistevara bodhisattva, great power Mahasthama bodhisattva, great vow Mahapranidhana bodhisattva, Ocean-Wide Pure Bodhisattvas (1 prostration).
Note: Namo in Sanskrit means “I bow” on. Translation source: www.ngocbao.org. Transcripts: Sometime you will hear the monk chanting in Vietnamese and sometime is Chinese-vietnamese “Hán Việt”
