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CHANTING

Click on the picture above to listen to Reverend Shigenobu Watanabe chanting "Shishinrai"

Why do we chant sutras? - By chanting the sutras, we show our respect and praise the virtues of Amida Buddha, Sakyamuni Buddha, Shinran Shonin and all the Buddhas in the ten directions.

Actually this is for the people who have a Obutsudan, but the object of worship could be just six letters "Namo Amida Butsu", or a hanging scroll of Amida Buddha. If people don't have both of them, they could imagine Amida Buddha in their heart and mind and then could start chanting.

CD CONTENTS

01: 至心礼/ Shishinrai The Buddha, Dharma and Sangha are always here with us all. May we all express our deepest respect from our bottom of heart and mind.

02 & 03: 正信偈 和讃/ Shoshinge=Shoshin Nembutsu Ge, “Hymn of True Entrusting Heart and the Nembutsu” was written by Shinran Shonin to encapsulate the teaching of Jodo Shinshu, and appears in the Chapter on Practice of his “Kyogyoshinsho”. The eighth generational head priest of the Hongwanji, Rennyo Shonin, added the chanting of the Nembutsu to Shoshinge and Wasan, prescribing that it be used for Jodo Shinshu services.

草譜/Sofu= This style is used on a regular basis, for both morning and evening services.

行譜/Gyofu= This style is used for Shinran Shonin's monthly memorial service on the 16th and for other important occasions such as Hoonko.

04: 三帰依/ Ti-Sarana “The Threefold Refuge” to the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

05: 重誓偈/Juseige Nembutsu Eko “Verses Reiterating the Vows” appears in the first volume of the Lager Sutra. This gatha is so named because Amida Buddha reiterated in his Vows that should all beings wallowing in the sea of delusion not be saved and that should there be any place that his Name, Namo Amida Butsu, is not heard he will not attain Buddhahood. Eko=Eko Mon: May we all awaken to the Wisdom and Compassion of Amida Buddha who embraces all living beings, and may we all attain the realm of Nirvana.

06: 讃仏偈/Sanbutsuge “Verses in Praise of the Buddha” appears again in the first volumes of the Larger Sutra. In this gatha, Hozo praises the discourse on the Dharma and the brilliantly majestic appearance of his teacher, Buddha Lokesvararaja.

07: 十二礼/Junirai“Twelve Adorations” Composed by Nagarijuna, the first of the seven masters of Jodo Shinshu. Since he repeatedly praises and expresses his reverence of the Amida Buddha twelve times, it is thus named. 0

8: 三奉請/Sanbujo “Three Respectful Calling” written by Shan Tao (“Zendo” in Japanese, 618-681 CE), the fifth master of Jodo Shinshu. In this calling, we respectfully call upon Tathagata Amida, Shakyamuni and the Tathagatas of the ten directions to enter this Dojo, as we joyfully scatter flowers of welcome.

To obtain a CD please contact Hongwanji Buddhist Association for details.