SECOND EDITION is OUT 2014, look for it. This is a translation from the Chinese of the standardized daily recitations used worldwide in Mahayana Buddhist Temples for Buddhists study and practice. It is suitable for English readers who want to join in services easily. It is also good for private study or as a general introduction to Buddhism for it encompasses all the schools teachings. Volume 1: Morning service has the Surangama Mantra from the esoteric or tantric schools, the Great Compassion Mantra, The Heart Sutra, the Ten Small Spells and the meal offering service. Typically services normally begin with meditation, during services there are visualizations of some Bodhisattvas, Buddhas, and quiet reflections on verses. All Buddhist practices have the same goal to calm and purify the mind from greed, anger, and delusion. Then gradually this evolves into wisdom emerging later with diligence enlightenment is possible. Seeking Enlightenment while on the Path is the goal of all Buddhists and nothing else. The use of daily recitations in services is the traditional way to introduce Buddhist study and practice; by participating in services one builds a sense of Buddhist social and cultural practices that support you on your own walk on the Path. This is the first edition, the second edition published in 2014. 'Verified purchased' comments may be helpful but please do not rely on the 'see inside' feature to make comments. Any questions contact the author directly.
About the Author: Ven. Hong Yang is a Bhikshuni ordained in the Dharmaguptaka Vinaya at Yuan Heng Temple in Taiwan by Upadyaya the late Ven. Pu Miao during ordination training while at Yuan Heng Temple she received training in the Bhikshuni Pratimoksa by Acaryani Bhikshuni Ven. Chao Hui following tonsure training at Xi Fang Temple in Brooklyn, NY. Making the resolve in 1984 but having no way until summer of 2001 when planning a trip to visit Xi Fang Temple in NYC then 9/11 happened right after motivating her moving to the NYC temple she counts 9/11/01 as her left home day due to the resolve motivated by compassion when she saw the President cry and later the Mayor of NYC cry pleading for counselors and wondering why the rest of the country has ignored their needs in NYC. Due to the language differences in the area she had to become a translator in order to understand and explain the sutras to Western visitors, she has translated all of the Buddhist Liturgy and most of the sutras and services used in the Buddhist year. Dedication to translation helped spur her on during her families struggle with serious illnesses, and deaths - one of whom was her father with whom she stayed bedside silently chanting being there for him until he passed on. Pure Land supportive practice especially offers mind calming benefits for anyone, even non Buddhists. Buddhism does not convert. Dad was not Buddhist but during his dying day when I was reciting the Heart Sutra out loud in English for him he became noticeably calmer. Ven. Hong Yang is a part of a tiny global group of translators working on the vast collections of the Chinese Mahayana Tripitaka. This collection is inclusive of Theravada and Mahayana texts within Mahayana. Mahayana Tripitaka also includes a vast collection of esoteric schools teachings that have as yet to be translated. Hoping to encourage everyday people to take up translating like the many Chinese workers did to help her understand the service pinyin they did improve their own understanding of dharma teachings. If the Mahayana Tripitaka can be in English it can be translated worldwide easier.