Ullambana
Sutra Recitation
Yú Lán Běn Nián Sòng Yí Guí
Chinese service was sourced from Ullambana Recitation booklet published by the Buddhist Society of Wonderful Enlightenment, 99 Madison Street, New York, NY 10002; Re-translated, corrected terms in 2006 modified in 2012 to include English translations of the Sanskrit mantras.
Sangha Rains Retreat End
Incense Praise
Palms Resting at Solar Plexus (Fan Zhong)/Meditation Mudra
Calming Incense burns to reach heavens above.
(Sreyasa – Sanskrit term –
fortune/happiness {Chinese- Xiriyashu昔日耶輸})
Refuge in Incense Cloud Canopy Bodhisattvas Mahasattvas
Refuge in Ullambana Assembly Buddhas and Bodhisattvas (3times)
The Buddha speaks the Ullambana
Sutra
Thus I have heard, at one time, the Buddha lived at Sra-vasti in the
Garden of the Orphans and Forlorn.
Maha-Maud-galya-yana had just obtained the six penetrations and wished
to cross over his father and mother to repay their kindness for raising him.
Thus, using his way eye, he regarded the world and saw that his
deceased mother had been born among the hungry ghosts, having neither food
nor drink, she was but skin and bones.
Maha-Maud-galya-yana felt deep pity and sadness, filled a bowl with
food and went to provide for his mother. She got the bowl, screened it with her left
hand, and with her right hand made a fist of food. But, before it entered her mouth, it
turned into burning coals which could not be eaten. Maha-Maud-galya-yana called out and wept
sorrowfully, and hastened to return to the Buddha to tell him all of this.
The Buddha said, “Your mother’s offenses are deep and firmly rooted. You alone do not have enough power. Although your filial sounds move heaven and
earth, the Heaven spirits, the earth spirits, twisted Demons, and those outside
the way, Brahmans, and the Four Heaven King Gods, are also without sufficient
strength. The awesome spiritual power of
the Assembled Sangha of the ten directions is necessary for liberation to be
attained. I shall now speak a Dharma of
rescue which causes all those in difficulty to leave worry and suffering, and
to eradicate obstacles from offenses.
The Buddha told Maha-Maud-galya-yana: “The fifteenth day of the seventh month is the
Pravarana Day (the end of the summer rains retreat) for the Assembled Sangha of the ten directions. For the sake of fathers and mothers of even
generations past, as well as for fathers and mothers of the present who are in
distress, you should prepare an offering of clean dishes full of hundreds of
flavors and the five fruits. And other
offerings of incense, oil, lamps, candles, beds, and bedding; all the best of
the world, to the greatly virtuous Assembled Sangha of the ten directions.
On that day, all the holy assembly, whether in the mountains practicing deep meditative concentration, or obtaining the four fruits of the way, or walking beneath
trees, coursing the Independence of the six penetrations, to teach and
transform sound hearers and those enlightened to conditions, or provisionally
manifesting as bhiksus or bihksunis when in fact they are great Bodhisattvas on
the tenth ground – All complete in pure Precepts and ocean like virtue of the
holy way– should gather in a great assembly and all of like minded receive the
(Pravanana) food.
If one thus makes offerings to these Pravarana Sangha, one’s present
father and Mother, parents of (your past lives) seven generations, as well
as the six kinds of close relatives, will escape from the three paths of sufferings,
and at that time attain release. Their
clothing and food will spontaneously appear.
If the parents are still alive, they will have wealth and blessings for
a hundred years.
Parents of your past lives to the seventh generation will be born in
the heavens. Transformed by birth, they
will independently enter the Heavenly flower light, and experience Limitless
bliss. At that time the Buddha commanded
the Assembled Sangha of the ten directions to recite spells and vows for the
sake of the donors’ families and for parents of seven generations.
After practicing deep meditative concentration, they then may accept
the food. When first offering the dish,
place it before the Buddha in the stupa. When the assembled Sangha has finished the
spells and vows, then they may accept it.
At that time Bhikshu Maha-Maud-gal-ya-yana and the assembly of
great Bodhisattvas were all extremely delighted and the sorrowful sound of Maha-Maud-galya-yana’s
crying ceased. At that time Maha-Maud-galya-yana’s
mother obtained liberation from one kalpa of suffering as a hungry ghost.
Maha-Maud-galya-yana addressed the Buddha and said, “This
disciple’s parents have received the power of the merit and virtue of the Triple
Jewel, because of the awesome spiritual power of the assembled Sangha. If in the future the Buddha’s disciples
practice filial piety by offering up the Ullambana dishes, will they be able to do a rescue for their present fathers and Mothers as well as those of seven
generations past?
The Buddha replied: “Good
indeed, I am happy you asked that question.
I just wanted to speak about that and now you have also asked about it.” Good man, if Bhiksus, Bhiksunis, kings, Crown
princes, great ministers, great officials, Cabinet members, the hundreds of
officers, and the tens of thousands of citizens wish to practice compassionate
Filial conduct. For the sake of the
parents who bore them, as well as for the sake of fathers and mothers of seven
lives past, on the fifteenth day of the Buddha’s delight, the day of the Sangha
Pravarana (end of rains retreat), they all should place hundreds of flavors of foods in the Ullambana dishes,
and offer them to the Pravarana Sangha of the ten directions. They should vow to cause the length of life
of the present father and mother to reach a hundred years without illness,
without sufferings, afflictions, or worries, and also vow to cause seven
generations of fathers and mothers to leave the sufferings of the hungry
ghosts, to be born among men and gods, and to have blessings and bliss without
limit.”
The Buddha told all the good men and good women; “Those disciples of the Buddha who cultivate
filial conduct should in thought after thought, constantly recall their present
fathers and mothers when making offerings, as well as the fathers and mothers
of seven lives past. Every year, on the
fifteenth day of the Seventh month, they should always, out of filial
compassion, recall their parents who bore them and those of seven lives
past. And for their sakes perform the
offering of the Ullambana dishes to the Buddha and the Sangha and thus repay the
loving kindness of the parents who raised and nourished them. All Buddha’s
disciples should respectfully receive this dharma.” At that time the Bhikshu Maha-Maud-galya-yana
and the four-fold assembly of disciples, hearing what the Buddha said, practiced
it with delight.
Grand
Offering Before The Buddhas
Refuge in Sacred Mountain Assembled Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
Refuge in Resident Ten Direction Buddhas
Refuge in Resident Ten Direction Dharmas
Refuge in Resident Ten Direction Sanghas
Refuge in Own Teacher Sakyamuni Buddha
Refuge Eliminating Disasters Prolonging Life Medicine Teacher
Refuge in Western Paradise Infinite Life Buddha
Refuge in Future Friendly Honored Buddha
Refuge in All Ten Directions, and the Three Times Buddhas
Refuge in Greatest Wisdom Manjusri Bodhisattva
Refuge in Greatest Conduct Samanta-bhadra Bodhisattva
Refuge in Greatly Compassionate Ava-lokit-asvara Bodhisattva
Refuge in Greatest Vow Ksiti-garbha Bodhisattva
Refuge in Elder Maha-ka-syapa
Refuge in Elder Ananda
Refuge in Elder Sari-putra
Refuge in Elder Maha-Maud-galya-yana
Refuge in Dharma Guardians, Devas, and Bodhisattvas
Refuge in Sangha realm Sage Bodhisattvas
Refuge in Lineage Teachers Bodhisattvas
Food Conversion Spell
Respect consecration rite, so now.
Look Yes. Recite (x3)
Immortal Water Spell
Respect core branch. So now, will
giving. Yes. Strength and weakness. Extreme strength highest power. So it is.
Offering Verse
This food with forms and flavors
Universal Donation Spell
Yes. Swifty praise. With being. One here and there. Memory.
Offering Heavenly Food
Heavenly cuisine an exquisite offering;
PARINAMANA IN MEMORIAL OF THE
DEPARTED
- Invocation
Bowing to Perfect Wisdom Assembly Ascended Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
- Heart Sutra
Perfect Wisdom Heart Sutra
3. Rebirth to Pure Land Dharani
Respect Infinite branch! A Buddha
truly!
4. Food-Conversion Spell
Respect consecration rite, so now.
Look Yes. (x3)
5. Immortality Water Spell
Respect core branch. So now, will
giving. Yes. Strength and weakness. Extreme strength highest power. So it is.
6. Universal Donation Spell
Yes. Swiftly praise. With being. One here and there. Memory. (3x)
7. Lotus Pool Praise
Lotus Pool Ocean Assembly, Amita Tathagata, Avalokitasvara, Mahasthamaprapta, in the company with the Arya Sangha.
Receives and leads us to ascend the Lotus platforms;
8. Return the Merits
We wish to be born in the Western Pure Land
Dedication Verse
I hope that the merit and virtue from this.
Ullambana Sutra Recitation
Yú Lán Běn Nián Sòng Yí Guí
This translation was done in 2006 by Ven. Hong Yang, Bhikshuni and edited Halloween Oct 31, 2012
Chinese service was sourced from Ullambana Recitation booklet published by the Buddhist Society of Wonderful Enlightenment, 99 Madison Street, New York, NY 10002; Re-translated, corrected terms in 2006 modified in 2012 to include English translations of the Sanskrit mantras.
Chinese service was sourced from Ullambana Recitation booklet published by the Buddhist Society of Wonderful Enlightenment, 99 Madison Street, New York, NY 10002; Re-translated, corrected terms in 2006 modified in 2012 to include English translations of the Sanskrit mantras.
Sangha Rains Retreat End
Oban Festival and Ancestor Day
Refuge Ceremony Following
Rains Retreat Celebration
Mahayana Tradition
Pure Land
Tantric (Chinese Esoteric)
Chan
Incense Praise
Palms Resting at Solar Plexus (Fan Zhong)/Meditation Mudra
Calming Incense burns to reach heavens above.
Disciples devoutly offer it in an exquisite censer.
Instantaneously it permeates all places.
Good Fortune blocks and avoids
disasters gone is misfortune.
(Sreyasa – Sanskrit term – fortune/happiness {Chinese- Xiriyashu昔日耶輸})
Refuge in Incense Cloud Canopy Bodhisattvas Mahasattvas
Refuge in Incense Cloud Canopy Bodhisattvas Mahasattvas
Refuge in Incense Cloud Canopy Bodhisattvas Mahasattvas
Refuge in Ullambana Assembly Buddhas and Bodhisattvas (3times)
The Buddha speaks the Ullambana Sutra
Thus I have heard, at one time, the Buddha lived at Sra-vasti in the
Garden of the Orphans and Forlorn.
Maha-Maud-galya-yana had just obtained the six penetrations and wished
to cross over his father and mother to repay their kindness for raising him.
Thus, using his way eye, he regarded the world and saw that his
deceased mother had been born among the hungry ghosts, having neither food
nor drink, she was but skin and bones.
Maha-Maud-galya-yana felt deep pity and sadness, filled a bowl with
food and went to provide for his mother. She got the bowl, screened it with her left
hand, and with her right hand made a fist of food. But, before it entered her mouth, it
turned into burning coals which could not be eaten. Maha-Maud-galya-yana called out and wept
sorrowfully, and hastened to return to the Buddha to tell him all of this.
The Buddha said, “Your mother’s offenses are deep and firmly rooted. You alone do not have enough power. Although your filial sounds move heaven and
earth, the Heaven spirits, the earth spirits, twisted Demons, and those outside
the way, Brahmans, and the Four Heaven King Gods, are also without sufficient
strength. The awesome spiritual power of
the Assembled Sangha of the ten directions is necessary for liberation to be
attained. I shall now speak a Dharma of
rescue which causes all those in difficulty to leave worry and suffering, and
to eradicate obstacles from offenses.
The Buddha told Maha-Maud-galya-yana: “The fifteenth day of the seventh month is the
Pravarana Day (the end of the summer rains retreat) for the Assembled Sangha of the ten directions. For the sake of fathers and mothers of even
generations past, as well as for fathers and mothers of the present who are in
distress, you should prepare an offering of clean dishes full of hundreds of
flavors and the five fruits. And other
offerings of incense, oil, lamps, candles, beds, and bedding; all the best of
the world, to the greatly virtuous Assembled Sangha of the ten directions.
On that day, all the holy assembly, whether in the mountains practicing deep meditative concentration, or obtaining the four fruits of the way, or walking beneath
trees, coursing the Independence of the six penetrations, to teach and
transform sound hearers and those enlightened to conditions, or provisionally
manifesting as bhiksus or bihksunis when in fact they are great Bodhisattvas on
the tenth ground – All complete in pure Precepts and ocean like virtue of the
holy way– should gather in a great assembly and all of like minded receive the
(Pravanana) food.
If one thus makes offerings to these Pravarana Sangha, one’s present
father and Mother, parents of (your past lives) seven generations, as well
as the six kinds of close relatives, will escape from the three paths of sufferings,
and at that time attain release. Their
clothing and food will spontaneously appear.
If the parents are still alive, they will have wealth and blessings for
a hundred years.
Parents of your past lives to the seventh generation will be born in
the heavens. Transformed by birth, they
will independently enter the Heavenly flower light, and experience Limitless
bliss. At that time the Buddha commanded
the Assembled Sangha of the ten directions to recite spells and vows for the
sake of the donors’ families and for parents of seven generations.
After practicing deep meditative concentration, they then may accept
the food. When first offering the dish,
place it before the Buddha in the stupa. When the assembled Sangha has finished the
spells and vows, then they may accept it.
At that time Bhikshu Maha-Maud-gal-ya-yana and the assembly of
great Bodhisattvas were all extremely delighted and the sorrowful sound of Maha-Maud-galya-yana’s
crying ceased. At that time Maha-Maud-galya-yana’s
mother obtained liberation from one kalpa of suffering as a hungry ghost.
Maha-Maud-galya-yana addressed the Buddha and said, “This
disciple’s parents have received the power of the merit and virtue of the Triple
Jewel, because of the awesome spiritual power of the assembled Sangha. If in the future the Buddha’s disciples
practice filial piety by offering up the Ullambana dishes, will they be able to do a rescue for their present fathers and Mothers as well as those of seven
generations past?
The Buddha replied: “Good
indeed, I am happy you asked that question.
I just wanted to speak about that and now you have also asked about it.” Good man, if Bhiksus, Bhiksunis, kings, Crown
princes, great ministers, great officials, Cabinet members, the hundreds of
officers, and the tens of thousands of citizens wish to practice compassionate
Filial conduct. For the sake of the
parents who bore them, as well as for the sake of fathers and mothers of seven
lives past, on the fifteenth day of the Buddha’s delight, the day of the Sangha
Pravarana (end of rains retreat), they all should place hundreds of flavors of foods in the Ullambana dishes,
and offer them to the Pravarana Sangha of the ten directions. They should vow to cause the length of life
of the present father and mother to reach a hundred years without illness,
without sufferings, afflictions, or worries, and also vow to cause seven
generations of fathers and mothers to leave the sufferings of the hungry
ghosts, to be born among men and gods, and to have blessings and bliss without
limit.”
The Buddha told all the good men and good women; “Those disciples of the Buddha who cultivate
filial conduct should in thought after thought, constantly recall their present
fathers and mothers when making offerings, as well as the fathers and mothers
of seven lives past. Every year, on the
fifteenth day of the Seventh month, they should always, out of filial
compassion, recall their parents who bore them and those of seven lives
past. And for their sakes perform the
offering of the Ullambana dishes to the Buddha and the Sangha and thus repay the
loving kindness of the parents who raised and nourished them. All Buddha’s
disciples should respectfully receive this dharma.” At that time the Bhikshu Maha-Maud-galya-yana
and the four-fold assembly of disciples, hearing what the Buddha said, practiced
it with delight.
Grand
Offering Before The Buddhas
Refuge in Sacred Mountain Assembled Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
Recite (x3)
Refuge in Resident Ten Direction Buddhas
Refuge in Resident Ten Direction Dharmas
Refuge in Resident Ten Direction Sanghas
Refuge in Own Teacher Sakyamuni Buddha
Refuge Eliminating Disasters Prolonging Life Medicine Teacher
Refuge in Western Paradise Infinite Life Buddha
Refuge in Future Friendly Honored Buddha
Refuge in All Ten Directions, and the Three Times Buddhas
Refuge in Greatest Wisdom Manjusri Bodhisattva
Refuge in Greatest Conduct Samanta-bhadra Bodhisattva
Refuge in Greatly Compassionate Ava-lokit-asvara Bodhisattva
Refuge in Greatest Vow Ksiti-garbha Bodhisattva
Refuge in Greatest Vow Ksiti-garbha Bodhisattva
Refuge in Elder Maha-ka-syapa
Refuge in Elder Ananda
Refuge in Elder Sari-putra
Refuge in Elder Maha-Maud-galya-yana
Refuge in Dharma Guardians, Devas, and Bodhisattvas
Refuge in Sangha realm Sage Bodhisattvas
Refuge in Lineage Teachers Bodhisattvas
Food Conversion Spell
Respect consecration rite, so now.
Look Yes. Recite (x3)
Immortal Water Spell
Respect core branch. So now, will
giving. Yes. Strength and weakness. Extreme strength highest power. So it is.
Recite (x3)
Offering Verse
This food with forms and flavors
Offer up to ten directions Buddhas.
With esteem offer to holy sound hearers,
Descend reach 6 paths qualities.
Donated without discrimination,
Filled with hope
In order for the present donors
Gain unlimited enlightenment.
Three qualities and six flavors
Offer Buddhas and Sangha
Dharma boundary sentient beings,
Universally all share our food offering
Universal Donation Spell
Yes. Swifty praise. With being. One here and there. Memory.
Recite (x3)
Offering Heavenly Food
Heavenly cuisine an exquisite offering;
Meditate on delights of: Butter, Incense, flowers, seasonal fruits, foods,
lamps, and perfumes.
Devoutly offer them to the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.
Asking for your kind acceptance.
Praise the Universal Offering Bodhisattvas
Great beings. Great Perfect Wisdom.
PARINAMANA IN MEMORIAL OF THE
DEPARTED
- Invocation
Bowing to Perfect Wisdom Assembly Ascended Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
(x3)
- Heart Sutra
Perfect Wisdom Heart Sutra
When the Avalokitasvara Bodhisattva was coursing in the deep Perfect
Wisdom. He saw that the five senses were
empty; thus he overcame all ills and suffering.
“O Sari-putra, form does not differ from the void, and the void does
not differ from form. Form is the void, and the void is form; the same is true
for feelings, conceptions, impulses and consciousness.
O Sari-putra, the characteristics of voidness of all dharmas are not
arising, no ceasing, not defiled, not pure, not increasing, not decreasing. Therefore, in the void there are no forms, no
feelings, conceptions, impulses or consciousness; no eye, ear, nose, tongue,
body or mind; no form, sound, smell, taste, touch or mind object; no eye
elements, until we come to no elements of consciousness; no ignorance and also
no ending of ignorance, until we come to no old age and death and no ending of
old age and death; also there is no truth of suffering, of the causes of
suffering, of the cessation of suffering or of the Path.
There is no wisdom, and there is no attainment whatsoever. Because there is nothing to be attained, a
Bodhisattva relying on perfect wisdom has no obstruction in his mind. Because there is no obstruction he has no
fear, and he passes far beyond all confused imagination and reaches Ultimate
Nirvana. The Buddhas in the past,
present and future also, by relying on the Perfect Wisdom, have attained
Supreme Enlightenment. Therefore, the
Perfect Wisdom is the great magic spell, is the greatest spell of illumination,
is the supreme spell, is the unequaled spell, which can truly protect one from
all suffering without fail.” He uttered
the spell Perfect Wisdom, saying: “Gate
Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhi Svaha.”
On, on, to the other shore in perfect wisdom, So It Is.
3. Rebirth to Pure Land Dharani
Respect Infinite branch! A Buddha
truly!
Immortal being! Immortal mind
being!
Immortal origin delight!
Immortal origin delighted!
Desire warrior praised! Verse
maker, So it is!
(x3)
4. Food-Conversion Spell
Respect consecration rite, so now.
Look Yes. (x3)
5. Immortality Water Spell
Respect core branch. So now, will
giving. Yes. Strength and weakness. Extreme strength highest power. So it is.
(x3)
6. Universal Donation Spell
Yes. Swiftly praise. With being. One here and there. Memory. (3x)
7. Lotus Pool Praise
Lotus Pool Ocean Assembly, Amita Tathagata, Avalokitasvara, Mahasthamaprapta, in the company with the Arya Sangha.
Receives and leads us to ascend the Lotus platforms;
Great vows expands and opens
Universal wish leave this world in turn.
8. Return the Merits
We wish to be born in the Western Pure Land
In the Nine orders Lotus Blossoms for sake of parents
Blossoms open fully to see Buddha and seals no-birth
With never-regressing Bodhisattvas for our companions
Dedication Verse
I hope that the merit and virtue from this.
Will go everywhere and reach everyone.
We, and to all living beings.
So that they will all realize the Buddha-path.
