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This ceremony is used for consecrating water when a new altar, school, house, plot of land, business, doctor’s office, etc., is to be blessed. To give the ceremony meaning, we rely on Avalokiteshvara’s great compassion for the water to become the nectar that purifies, freshens, revives, and heals whatever it is sprinkled onto. Avalokiteshvara is the part of each of us that has the capacity to listen deeply to others and make use of our insights and understanding to relieve their suffering.
A bowl of clear water and a leafy willow branch or a small flower with many petals are needed. Clear water symbolizes the power of concentration, and the willow branch or flower symbolizes wisdom.
1. Opening Verse
[bell, bell, bell]
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhassa
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhassa
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhassa
[bell]
The Dharma is deep and lovely.
We now have a chance to see, study, and practice it.
We vow to realize its true meaning.
[bell]
2. Introductory Verse
On the tip of the willow branch is the supreme nectar.
When one drop falls, it fills the Ten Directions
and puts an end to countless afflictions.
It has the power to purify.
Homage to the Bodhisattva Who Refreshes the Earth.
[bell]
3. Praising the Bodhisattva of Compassion
The nectar of compassion is seen on the willow branch
held by the Bodhisattva.
A single drop of this nectar is enough to bring life
to the Ten Directions of the Cosmos.
May all afflictions of this world disappear totally and
may this place of practice be completely purified
by the Bodhisattva’s nectar of compassion.
Homage to the Bodhisattva Who Refreshes the Earth.
From the depths of understanding, a flower of great eloquence blooms:
The Bodhisattva stands majestically
upon the waves of birth and death, free from all afflictions.
Her great compassion eliminates all sickness,
even that once thought of as incurable.
Her wondrous light sweeps away all obstacles and dangers.
Her willow branch, once waved,
reveals countless Buddha Lands.
Her lotus flower blossoms a multitude of practice centers.
We bow to her. We see her true presence in the here and the now.
We offer her the incense of our hearts.
May the Bodhisattva of Deep Listening embrace us all
with Great Compassion.
Namo’valokiteshvaraya
[Homage to Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara]
On the willow branch, the clear water of compassion
falls on all three chiliocosms.
Its empty nature and its Eight Virtues
are the salvation of gods and men.
They make the Dharma realms brighter and more expansive.
They put an end to animosity and anger,
changing a blazing fire into a cool lotus lake.
Homage to the Bodhisattva Who Refreshes the Earth.
[bell, bell]
4. Opening Verse
[The head of ceremony raises up the bowl of clear water with the left hand and forms the mudra of peace with the right hand at the level of the forehead, and then chants aloud to consecrate the water. The assembled community follows their breathing, listening with ease and concentration.]
[Chanted by head of ceremony]
Holding the willow branch, sprinkling the nectar of compassion,
destroying heat, cooling and refreshing the world of humans
by listening deeply and coming to help beings,
and by teaching the Dharma,
the Bodhisattva ends the suffering of all species.
The Bodhisattva’s love and compassion are unshakable.
Her appearance manifests freedom and uprightness.
She responds wherever there is a need.
No appeal for her help fails to succeed.
Now we, your disciples, with right faith and a calm mind,
recite the gatha for consecrating clear water.
[bell]
5. Verses of Consecration
[Chanted by head of ceremony]
This water’s shape is round or square
according to the container that holds it.
In the spring warmth, it is liquid; in the winter cold, it is solid.
When its path is open, it flows.
When its path is obstructed, it stands still.
How vast it is, yet its source is so small it is difficult to find.
How wonderful it is in its streams which flow endlessly.
In the jade rivulets, the footprints of dragons remain.
In the deep pond, water holds the bright halo
of the autumn moon.
On the tip of the king’s pen,
water becomes the compassion of clemency.
On the willow branch,
it becomes the clear fresh balm of compassion.
Only one drop of the water of compassion is needed,
and the Ten Directions are all purified.
[bell]
6. Recitation of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara’s Name
[During the recitation of the bodhisattva’s name, the purified water is sprinkled with the willow branch or flower over the head of the ordinee, or around the perimeter of the hall or building to be blessed.]
Brothers and Sisters, with one-pointed concentration please recite the name of Avalokiteshvara:
Namo Avalokiteshvaraya
[Repeat twenty-one times]
[bell]
7. The Three Refuges
I take refuge in the Buddha,
the one who shows me the way in this life.
I take refuge in the Dharma,
the way of understanding and of love.
I take refuge in the Sangha,
the community that lives in harmony and awareness.
[bell]
Dwelling in the refuge of Buddha,
I clearly see the path of light and beauty in the world.
Dwelling in the refuge of Dharma,
I learn to open many doors on the path of transformation.
Dwelling in the refuge of Sangha,
shining light that supports me, keeping my practice free of obstruction.
[bell]
Taking refuge in the Buddha in myself,
I aspire to help all people recognize their own awakened nature,
realizing the Mind of Love.
Taking refuge in the Dharma in myself,
I aspire to help all people fully master the ways of practice
and walk together on the path of liberation.
Taking refuge in the Sangha in myself,
I aspire to help all people build Fourfold Communities,
to embrace all beings and support their transformation.
[bell, bell]
8. Sharing the Merit
Reciting the sutras, practicing the way of awareness
gives rise to benefits without limit.
We vow to share the fruits with all beings.
We vow to offer tribute to parents, teachers, friends,
and numerous beings
who give guidance and support along the path.
[bell, bell, bell]
9. Words of Gratitude by Host or Householder
[At this time, the host or householder is invited to come mindfully before the community to offer a few words of gratitude to everyone who participated in the ceremony.]
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