- 1. Biographical Sketch of Prophet HUYNH PHU SO
- 2. Foreword
- 3. Elementary Teachings For Those Who Practise Buddhism
- 4. On the Four Debt of Gratitude
- 5. On the Three Karmas
- 6. On The Noble Eightfold Paths
- 7. How a Hoa Hao Buddhist disciple take the vows and behaves?
- 8. Things to be avoided or allowed or should be done
- 9. Worshipping by those who practice religion at home
- 10. Apendix: Eight Advices to our followers
- 11. Map of South Viet Nam
- 12. Hoa Hao Buddhist Organization
PRAYERS BEFORE THE ANCESTORS ALTAR
Holding incense jossticks in hands while kneeling down and kowtowing three times, then praying with hands joined and touched to the forehead. Recite the prayers:
I respectfully present the incense to my revered Ancestors.
And request them to witness my faithfulness,
I awakened now and take refuge under Buddha.
And pledge to improve myself and allow myself to enjoy bliss.
Planting the jossticks in the incense-holder, then standing straight, praying with hands joined at the chest, and continue the prayer:
I respectfully bow to my Ancestors
And offer my gratitude for your nurturing and raising me through so many harships
From now on, I will keep my religion
And pray that my Ancestors have their souls released from suffering and that they may reach the Buddhist Paradise.
I pledge to be honorable for my Ancestors
And pray that my Ancestors may escape the Ocean of Suffering to reach the Heart of the Lotus.
I pray the Almighty
To bless me so that I may continue on resolutely my religious faith.
Then, Kowtow four times to end the prayers.
PRAYING BEFORE BUDDHAS ALTAR
Holding jossticks in hands while kneeling down and kowtowing three times and praying with hands joined and touched the forehead .Repeat the ``Conversion prayer (Pledge to take refuge in religion).
Namo Buddha Shakyamuni our Master Pontiff of Saha (repeat three times)
Namo Buddhas of everywhere
Namo Dharma
Namo Shanga
Hail the teaching of Buddhism from everywhere
Namo Buddha, our Buddha Master, the top ranking dignitaries and national heroes, and the deities who reign over mountains and lands, I respectfully pray that you witness my pledge to repent and help me distinguish good from evil sothat I may follow your path in religion according to Buddhist teachings.
Either plant the jossticks in the incense holder then kowtw four times or plant the jossticks then standing straight with hand joined at the chest. Repeat the following prayer: Five prayers to the West Paradise.
``Namo Buddha Amida who reigns over the Blissful Western Paradise where sentient beings are delivered from their sufferings,
Our first prayer is to the King of Heaven, the King of Earth, the King of Men, the most Merciful Buddha, King of Buddhas, to bestow peace upon mankind,
Our second prayer is that our revered ancestors reach the Deliverance World,
Our third prayer is that our parents enjoy longevity and happiness, and that the soul of our ancestors reach the Deliverance World,
Our fourth prayer is that everyone will be kindhearted, altruistic, and free from ignorance.
Our fifth prayer is to Buddha and our Buddha Master to mercifully and indulgently forgive the sins of the faithful, guide them out of bewilderment and confer upon them a clear mind so that they may reach enlightenment.
Prostrating oneself four times and kowtowing one time frontward recite the prayer: Namo Buddha Amida. Kowtow to the left one time: Namo the Most Powerful Boddhisatva.Kowtow to the right one time : Namo Boddhisatva Goddess of Mercy.
THE HEAVENS ALTAR
After praying before Buddhas altar, we will then pray before the Heavens altar by facing successively in four directions (the main direction will be the Heavens altar) front, rear, left and right.
The Conversion prayer is said while facing the main direction, the Heavens Altar, and the ``Five Prayers to the West are said while facing the three other directions (prostrate four times in each direction. Kowtow three times if prostrating is not possible.
Stand or kneel down to prostrate according to ones physical conditions.
PRAYING TO BUDDHA
After worshipping, one may pray to Buddha. This may be done by sitting Indian fashion with back straight and praying:
``Namo Buddha Amida! or
``Namo the Buddhist Paradise, Namo the multitude of Buddhas who bestow their blessings upon mankind under the same and only Name and Title of the Merciful Buddha, Buddha Amida .
(The amount of praying times depending on ones health, and done only in silence.)
NAMO BUDDHA AMIDA can be prayed at any moment, anywhere, whether you are walking, standing or lying down.
PRAYING AND OFFERING TO OUR ANCESTORS
Before every meal, even if it is just bread and water, one must pray to our ancestors, our past parents to invite them to share our meals with us to express our filial piety.
On remembrance anniversary days of our ancestors, one may make offerings with anything available.
Fast on the 14th, 15th, 29th and 30th (for short months, on the 1st and 29th) according to the Lunar Calendar. Offer incense jossticks if available, otherwise prayers are sufficient.
On the occasion of the New Year, fast on the 29th and 30th of the Twelfth month and the 1st day of the First month. During these fast days make only vegetarian offerings to our ancestors until the 2nd then anything can be offered. However, do not kill animals on the 3rd for offerings. For the worshipping of God and Buddhas, only flowers are offered.
If it is time for worshipping while one is working out in the field, turn Westward to pray then kowtow in four directions. When away from home, prayers said in silence are permissible.
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