
Gathas for practicing at home
Walking Meditation
The mind can go in a thousand directions,
but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace.
With each step, a cool wind blows.
With each step, a flower blooms.
Entering the Meditation Room
Entering the meditation room,
I see my true self
As I sit down,
I vow to cut off all disturbances
Inviting the Bell
Body, speech and mind in perfect oneness
I send my heart along with the sound of the bell
May the hearers awaken from forgetfulness
and transcend all anxiety and sorrow
Impermanence
The day is ending and
our life is one day shorter.
Let us look carefully at what we have done.
Let us practice diligently,
putting our whole heart into the path of meditation.
Let us live deeply each moment and in freedom,
so the time doesn’t slip away meaninglessly.
Listening to the Bell
May the sound of this bell
penetrates deeply into the cosmos
In even the darkest places,
may living beings hear it clearly
so that understanding may light up their hearts
and without hardship, they may transcend
the realms of birth and death
Letting Go
Hearing the bell,
I am able to let go of all afflictions
My heart is calm
My sorrows ended
I am no longer bound to anything
I learn to listen to my suffering
and the suffering of the other person
When understanding is born in me,
compassion is also born
Smiling at Your Anger
Breathing in, I feel my anger
Breathing out, I smile.
I stay with my breathing
so I won’t lose myself.
Lighting a Candle
Lighting this candle,
Offering the light to countless Buddhas,
the peace and the joy I feel
brighten the face of the Earth
Offering Incense
In gratitude we offer this incense
to all Buddhas and bodhisattvas
throughout space and time
May it be as fragrant as Earth herself,
reflecting our careful efforts.
our wholehearted awareness,
and the fruit of understanding, slowly ripening
May we and all beings be companions
of Buddhas and boddhisattvas
May we awaken from forgetfulness
and realize our true home.
Sitting Down
Sitting here is like sitting under a Bodhi tree.
My body is mindfulness itself, free from all distraction.
Calming the Breath
Breathing in, I calm my body.
Breathing out, I smile.
Dwelling in the present moment,
I know this is a wonderful moment!
In, Out
Deep, Slow
Calm, Ease
Smile, Release
Present Moment, Wonderful Moment
Adjusting Posture
Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky.
Conscious breathing is my anchor.
Greeting Someone
A lotus for you, a Buddha to be.
Drinking Tea
This cup of tea in my two hands,
mindfulness held perfectly.
My mind and body dwell
in the very here and now.
Waking Up
Waking up this morning, I smile.
Twenty-four brand new hours are before me.
I vow to live fully in each moment and
to look at beings with eyes of compassion.
Morning Meditation
The Dharmakaya is bringing morning light
Sitting still, my heart is at peace
I smile
This is a new day
I vow to go through it in awareness
The sun of wisdom will shine everywhere
Taking the First Steps of the Day
Walking on the Earth is a miracle!
Each mindful step reveals the wondrous Dharmakaya.
Stepping out of Bed
If today I inadvertently step on a small insect,
may it not suffer too much.
May it be liberated.
Homage to the Bodhisattva of the Land of Great Happiness.