Mission
We seek to bear witness to the joy and suffering of the universe, and to realize and actualize the oneness and interdependence of life through study, practice and action for personal and social transformation. We seek to connect and empower peacemakers throughout the world. We are committed to nonviolence, inclusivity, free expression and experimentation.
Vision
We envision an enlightened society where suffering is transformed into wisdom and compassion and all beings live in harmony and are relieved of the afflictions of hunger, war and disease. Spirituality and service are tools we use to help all beings find freedom regardless of race, religion, ability, gender or nationality.
Statement on Peacemaking
Zen Peacemaking is helping individuals and societies realize and actualize the oneness (interconnectedness) of life. This actualization results in a reduction of suffering for both the individual and society.
Entering the stream of Socially Engaged Spirituality, I vow to live a life of:
The Three Tenets serve as the foundation for the Zen Peacemakers’ work and practice. Using the Three Tenets as an orientation transforms service into spiritual practice. Specifically, these practices suspend separation and hierarchy, and open direct encounter between equals as the spirit and style of the services offered through Zen Houses.
Not-knowing drops our conceptual framework from very personal biases and assumptions to such concepts as “in and out” “good and bad” “name and form,” “coming and going.” Not-knowing is a state of open presence without separation.
In this state we can Bear Witness, the second Tenet, merging or joining with an individual, situation or environment, deeply imbibing their essence. From this intimate “knowing,” we can then choose an appropriate response to the person or situation, described as “taking loving actions,” our third Tenet. This gives rise to the holistic, integrated, wrap-around style of service projects inspired by Bernie’s vision.
In speaking about the Three Tenets as separate practices and phases of consciousness, we are making deference to the discriminating mind. They are actually a continual flow, each containing and giving rise to the others.
The Three Treasures, Three Tenets, the Ten Practices and the Five Commitments serve as the foundation for the Zen Peacemaker Order’s work and practice. They underlie our commitment to broad-based inclusivity, service, multi-faith celebrations and communion, and to a lifelong peacemaking path that integrates work, training and practice.
Three Treasures of a Zen Peacemaker
Inviting all creations into the mandala of my practice and vowing to serve them, I take refuge in:
Three Tenets of a Zen Peacemaker
Taking refuge and entering the stream of Engaged Spirituality, I vow to live a life of:
Ten Practices
Being Mindful of the interdependence of Oneness and Diversity, and wishing to actualize my vows, I engage in the spiritual practices of:
Five Commitments
I commit myself to a culture of
Download a PDF of the Gate of Sweet Nectar text:
(Run and 3 bows)
(Officiant offers incense)
Ø Ø Ø ∆
Gate of Sweet Nectar
Ø(Sung 3x) Calling out to hungry hearts Everywhere through endless time You who wander, you who thirst I offer you this bodhi mind.
Calling out to hungry spirits Everywhere through endless time Calling out to hungry hearts All the lost and left behind
Gather round and share this meal Your joy and your sorrow I make mine.
(Officiant offers incense)
Invitation for all our Aspects to be in attendance
(Everyone in gassho)
Ø
Buddham Saranam Gacchami
Ø
Dhammam Saranam Gacchami
Ø
Sangham Saranam Gacchami
Ø
Being One with the Buddhas in the Ten Directions
Ø
Being One with the Dharma in the Ten Directions
Ø
Being One with the Sangha in the Ten Directions
Ø
Being One with all the Formless Forms throughout space and time
Ø
Being One with the great Manjusri Bodhisattva
Ø
Being One with the the great compassionate Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
Ø
Being One with our original teacher Shakyamuni Buddha
Ø
Being One with our lineage from Mahakasyapa Sonja
Ø
Being One with the Mahayana Saddharma Pundarika Sutra
Ø
Being One with Maha Prajna Paramita
Ø
Supplication for the Raising of the Bodhi Mind
Vow to feed the hungry spirits.
° (officiant bows at altar) Attention! ° (halfway to bowing cushion) Attention!
° Raising the Bodhi Mind, the supreme meal is offered to all the hungry spirits throughout space and time, filling the smallest particle to the largest space. All you hungry spirits in the ten directions, please gather here. Sharing your distress, I offer you this food, hoping it will resolve your thirsts and hungers.
Dharani for the Invitation for the Manifestation of all the Gods and Demons Ø
NOBO BO HO RI GYA RI TA RI°TA TA GYA TA YA
Ø Being one with the Unconditioned°Tathagata.
Dharani of Hell Crushing and Hungry Spirit Throat Opening
Ø OM BO HO TEI RI GYA TA RI°TA TA GYA TA YA
Ø Being one with the Boundless°Tathagata.
Dharani of Expansion Prayer upon the Food and Drink
Ø NO MAKU SA RA BA TA TA GYA TA BARO KI TEI OM°
SAN BA RA SAN BA RA UN
Ø Being one with all Tathagatas and Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, °
please nourish and sustain us.
Dharani upon the Dharma Taste of the Sweet Nectar
Ø NO MAKU SO RO BA YA TA TA GYA TA YA TA NYA TA OM
SO RO SO RO HA RA SO RO°HA RA SO RO SO WA KA
Ø Being one with the Inconceivable Body Tathagata,
let the nectar of Dharma°spring forth.
Dharani of feeding all the Hungry Spirits (Gassho)
(Repeat 14 times)
Ø(1st x)NO MAKU SAN MAN
DA° (14thx) BO TA NAN BAN
(Repeat 7 times)
Ø(1st x)Being One with all Buddhas, °
(7th x) I turn the water wheel of compassion.
Invitation for the Manifestation of the Buddhas in the Padma Family
Ø NA MU TA HO NYO RAI NO BO BA GYA BA TEI
HA RA BO TA A RA TAN NO YA TA TA GYA TA YA
JO KEN TON GO FU KU CHI EN MAN °
Being one with all Buddhas in the Unifying spheres,
integrating all families, wealth and wisdom are in abundance.
Invitation for the Manifestation of the Buddhas in the Ratna Family
ØNA MU MYO SHIKI SHIN NYO RAI NO BO BA GYA BA TEI
SO RO BA YA TA TA GYA TA YA
HA SHU RO GYO EN MAN SO KO °
Being one with all Buddhas in the Livelihood Spheres,
extending generosity, perfection of both body and mind appears.
Invitation for the Manifestation of the Buddhas in the Buddha Family
ØNA MU KAN RO O NYO RAI NO BO BA GYA BA TEI
A MI RI TEI A RAN JA YA TA TA GYA TA YA
KAN PO SHIN JIN RYO JU KE RA KU °
Being one with all Buddhas in the Formless Spheres,
bodies overflow with boundless Dharma and our life is fulfilled.
Invitation for the Manifestation of the Buddhas in the Vajra Family
ØNA MU KO HAKU SHIN NYO RAI NO BO BA GYA BA TEI
BI HO RA GYA TA RA YA TA TA GYA TA YA
IN KO KO DAI ON JIKI JU BO °
Being one with all Buddhas in the Study Spheres,
throats are opened and eating and drinking fully satisfy.
Invitation for the Manifestation of the Buddhas in the Karma Family
ØNA MU RI FU I NYO RAI NO BO BA GYA BA TEI
A BA EN GYA RA YA TA TA GYA TA YA
KU SHITSU JO RI GA KI SHU °
Being one with all Buddhas in the Service Spheres, •
all sufferings of the Hungry Spirits • are healed.
All: OM BO JI SHI TA BO DA HA DA YA MI
(Twice) Officiant: Now I have raised the Bodhi Mind. °
All: Now I have raised the Bodhi Mind
Dharani of Giving the Bodhisattva Samaya Precepts
(Everyone in Gassho)
(Once) Officiant: OM SAN MA YA SA TO BAN °
All: OM SAN MA YA SA TO BAN
(Twice) Officiant: I am the Buddhas and they are me. °
All: I am the Buddhas and they are me.
May those who practice in this sphere continue to empower, to enrich, to enjoy. •
May those who have gone be released from suffering and nourish peacefulness. •
May all creations in the three worlds receive loving benefactions .•
May those suffering on the three paths come to atonement and be cleansed of all their ills. •
May they be liberated from samsara • and arise in the Pure Land • together.°
•The all-pervading and everlasting Three Treasures, All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the realm of prajna wisdom, All protectors of the Dharma And all beings in the Dharma worlds. •
Let us forever remember the causes of suffering. Let us forever believe in the end to suffering. May we always have the courage to bear witness, To see ourselves as Other and Other as ourselves. May penetrating light dispel the darkness of ignorance. Let all karma be resolved and the mind flower bloom in eternal spring. May we all ascend to enlightenment, great peace and love And let us vow to feed all the hungry spirits together.
Closing Verse
The length of our days.
Day and night
We meditate upon it.