In gratitude we offer this incense to all buddhas and bodhisattvas throughout space and time.

May it be fragrant as Earth herself, reflect our careful efforts, our wholehearted mindfulness, and the fruit of understanding, slowly ripening.

May we and all beings be companions of buddhas and bodhisattvas.

May we awaken from forgetfulness and realize our true home.

(bell)

Teaching and living the way of awareness in the very midst of suffering and confusion, Shakyamuni Buddha, the Enlightened One, to whom we bow in gratitude.

(bell)

Cutting through ignorance, awakening our hearts and minds, Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Great Understanding, to whom we bow in gratitude.

(bell)

Working mindfully and joyfully for the sake of all beings, Samantabhadra, the bodhisattva of Great Action, to whom we bow in gratitude.

(bell)

Responding to suffering serving beings in countless ways, Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion, to whom we bow in gratitude.

(bell)

Seed of awakening and loving kindness in children and all beings, Maitreya, the Buddha to be born, to whom we bow in gratitude.

(bell)

Showing the way fearlessly and compassiionately, the stream of ancestral teachers, to whom we bow in gratitute.

(bell)

The Dharma is deep and lovely.

We now have a chance to see it,

study it and practice it.

We vow to realize its true meaning.

(bell)

Brothers and Sisters, it is now time to recite the Five Mindfulness Trainings. The Trainings are the basis for a happy life. They have the capacity to protect life and to make it beautiful and worth living. They are also the door that opens to enlightenment and liberation. Please listen to each training and answer "yes", silently every time you see that you have made the effort to study, practice and observe it.

The First Mindfulness Training: Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I vow to cultivate compassion and learn ways to protect the lives of people, animals, plants, and minerals. I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to condone killing in the world, in my thinking and in my way of life.

This is the first of the Five Mindfulness Trainings. Have you made an effort to study and practice it during the past month?

(bell)

The Seocnd Mindfulness Training: Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing and oppression, I vow to cultivate loving kindness and learn ways to work for the well-being of people, animals, plants, and minerals. I vow to practice generosity y sharing my time, energy, and material resources with those who are in real need. I am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others. I will respect the property of others, but I will prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the suffering of other species on Earth.

This is the second of the Five Mindfulness Trainings. Have you made an effort to study and practice it during the past month?

(bell)

The Third Mindfulness Training: Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I vow to cultivate responsibility and learn ways to protect the safety and integrity of individuals, couples, families, and society. I am determined not to engage in sexual relations without love and a long-term commitment. To preserve the happiness of myself and others, I am determined to respect my commitments and the commitments of others. I will do everything in my power to protect children from sexual abuse and to prevent couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct.

This is the third of the Five Mindfulness Trainings. Have you made an effort to study and practice it during the past month?

(bell)

The Fourth Mindfulness Training: Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I vow to cultivate loving speech and deep listening in order to bring joy and happiness to others and relieve others of their suffering. Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I vow to learn to speak truthfully, with words that inspire self-confidence, joy and hope. I am determined not to spread news that I do not know to be certain and not to criticize or condemn things of which I am not sure. I will refrain from uttering words that can cause division or discord, or that can cause the family or the community to break. I will make all efforts to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.

This is the fourth of the Five Mindfulness Trainings. Have you made an effort to study and practice it during the past month?

(bell)

The Fifth Mindfulness Training: Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I vow to cultivate good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family and my society by practicing mindful eating, drinking and consuming. I vow to ingest only items that preserve peace, well being and joy in my body, in my consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of my family and society. I am determined not to use alcohol or any other intoxicant or to ingest foods or other items that contain toxins, such as certain TV programs, magazines, books, films, and conversatations. I am aware that to damage my body or my consciousness with these poisons is to betray my ancestors, my parents, my society, and future generations. I will work to transform violence, fear, anger and confusion in myself and in society by practicing a diet for myself and for society. I understand that a proper diet is crucial for self-transformation and for the transformation of society.

This is the fifth of the Five Mindfulness Trainings. Have you made an effort to study and practice it during the past month?

(bell)

Brothers and Sisters, we have recited the Five Mindfulness Trainings, the foundation of happiness for the individual, the family and society. We should recite them regularly so that our study and practice of the Trainings can deepen day by day.

Hearing the bell, please bow three times to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha to show your gratitude.

(three sounds of the bell)

Brother and Sisters, please join your palms and recite each line of the closing chant after me:

Reciting the precepts, practicing the way of awareness,

Gives rise to benefits without limit.

We vow to share the fruits with all beings.

We vow to offer tribute to parents, teachers, friends,

And numerous beings,

Who give guidance and support along the path.

(three sounds of the bell)