Homa Ritual Honoring the Five Saints of Christianity

Based on the Chinese Ritual by Guru Chen

Rearranged for Practice and Translated into English by his disciple Dr. Yutang Lin

(With Guru Chen's original English stanzas preserved as many as appropriate)

1. Getting Permission from the Goddess of the Earth

Visualize the Goddess of the Earth with a yellow body as suddenly appearing from the earth and accepting the blessing of the Master who is no different from the Bodhisattva Guan Yin. After she offers her approbation, she disappears. The Master wields the Vajra toward the center of the borrowed place where the fire altar is situated to create there a Vajra-cross foundation. Repeat the incantation of "Namo Jesus" and the following half-stanza:

Abiding in the limitless oneness of Dharmadhatu,

The Heavenly Palace of Christianity appears within.

2. Generating Bodhicitta

Stanza:

Goodness of Men-Heaven-Yana may nourish Bodhicitta,

Bit by bit one may accumulate a huge stock of merits.

To save all beings in Samsara from their heavy sins,

And put them on pure ground for ascending to Buddhahood,

This sacrifice is offered to nourish good deeds.

May the Five Saints help spread the Dharma indeed!

3. Blessing the Bell, Vajra and Drum

(a) Visualization:

Visualize that Father and Mother Steadfast Buddha become lights that go into the Vajra and Bell, respectively. Visualize the moon on the right palm and the sun on the left one. With the right hand holding the Vajra and the left one holding the Bell, recite: "Ma Ha, Ban Zha, Hong" and "Ban Zha, Ga Za, A." (All incantations are written in Pin Yin, in accordance with Guru Chen's pronunciation.) Use the Vajra to touch the heart chakra three times, simultaneously ring the Bell three times.

(b) Stanza:

The Vajra embodies the Heavenly Mercy of Father,

The Bell spreads the Deep Compassion of Mother,

The Drum, like Holy Spirit, inspires all Saints' devotion,

All help carry Jesus' Cross of Salvation!

Weng, Sha Wa Da Ta Ga Da, Xi Di Ban Zha, San Ma Ya, Di Cha, Ei Qia Si Dang, Da La Ya Mi, Ban Zha Sa Duo, Hei Hei Hei Hei Hei, Hong Hong Hong Pei, Suo Ha.

(d) Incantation of Requesting the Blessing of All Buddhas:

Then, while reciting the incantation of Requesting the Blessing of All Buddhas, use the Vajra to touch the heart chakra to awake all the Buddhas that are in one's own Buddha-nature and with the opening of the Bell facing the top of the Master's head, turn the Bell around three times counter-clockwise, then three times clockwise, thus all Buddhas in the ten directions are requested to give blessing.

Weng, Ban Zha, Geng Zha La Li Da, Zhua La Li Da, Shuang Zhua La Li Da, Sha Wa Bu Da Ken Zha, Zhua Zha Li Lei, Zhua Zha Ba Li Mi, Geng Zha Da Na Ya, Shuang Ha Bi Da, Ban Zha Da Ma Xi Da Ya, Sha Wa Qia Li, Hong Hong Hong, Ho Ho Ho, A Kang Suo Ha.

4. Protection

Two pieces of food, prepared in advance, are offered. One is white in color for vegetarian Gods and the other is red for carnivorous Gods.

(a) The Incantation to offer food to the Protectors:

Weng, Ka Ka, Ka Xi, Ka Xi.

(b) Prayer Stanza to the Protectors:

All the eight departments of protectors,

And all the Yaksas and your family,

Please take all this blessed and delicious food.

Protect all the Yogis and their families.

Let all of them be free and have long life!

Gather all merits and sow all best seeds!

And may you inspire all special enjoyments!

Especially help this pacifying fire sacrifice,

And let me get all the accomplishments!

Please remember all your excellent vows,

Help me to gain all the attainments.

Get rid of all bad conditions and death,

Destroy all my obstacles and demons.

Pacify all terrible dreams and bad omens.

Protect us from all dangerous risks.

Help to make peace and rich harvests for all,

May plenty of all kinds of corn and Dharma,

And all good pleasures be helped by you!

Do help me to fulfill all my best wishes!

Those who have been divined to darkness

And cannot understand all the Tantras,

Not able to hear and see this secrecy,

Please leave here and go to the places where you belong.

If you don't take my advice right now,

I shall use the powerful and fiery Vajra

To destroy your head into many pieces!

The Karma Vajra throws the two pieces of food in two different directions.

Repeat the Four-Hong Incantation to send the black deities away.

Weng, Song Ba Li, Song Ba Li, Hong Hong Pei!

Weng, Ge Li Ha Na, Ge Li Ha Na, Hong Hong Pei!

Weng, Ge Li Ha Na Ba Ya, Ge Li Ha Na Ba Ya, Hong Hong Pei!

Weng, A Na Ya Ho, Ba Ga Wen, Bi Ya Lan Zha, Hong Hong Pei!

Then the Master visualizes the Vajra Net that covers all ten directions and is formed with the Vajra Net Mudra. Thus from the beginning of the Homa performance until its end, the altar and the Master and his family and followers are protected.

5. Blessing the Offerings

The Master holds the Vajra dippers together, repeats the incantation given below and visualizes much nectar falling down from Father and Mother Red Chenrezig upon all the offerings. Thus all worldly offerings become Vajra Nectar of boundless supply.

Weng, Cha Cha Cha Cha Cha!

6. Arranging the Seat of the God of Fire and that of the Yidam

Place auspicious grasses around the fire altar. Then arrange seats for the God of Fire and the Yidam.

A. Praising and Welcoming the White God of Fire

(a) Praise:

Shine upon the dark becoming the bright.

Drive away the demons with big fire!

Your kind smile sends away the sorrows.

Please sit on this good seat and admire!

(b) Visualize the White God of Fire:

"Lang" appears on the moon that is on a lotus.

From this "Lang" arises the white God of Fire!

He has one face and two arms.

The right hand holds the stove.

The left hand holds a fairy bottle.

His hair is very long; his belly big.

He has a white Brahmin thread around his belly!

The Master raises a bunch of auspicious grass up to the sky to welcome the Wisdom God of Fire and repeats the following incantation:

Zha Ge Hong Zha

(d) Praise:

You are the victorious Prince of Dharma.

You have got the initiation of good Karma!

Your wisdom fire can get rid of obstacles!

I, now, beg you to help this Homa!

B. Arranging the Auspicious Seat for the Five Saints of Christianity

(a) Visualize the Heavenly Palace while reciting the following stanza:

Clear as crystal is the Holy City,

Fifteen hundred miles in each dimension.

The building material for its wall is jasper,

A hundred-forty-four-cubit tall construction.

The City is pure gold, like unto pure glass.

Precious stones adorn the wall's foundations:

The first foundation is jasper,

The second, sapphire,

The third, chalcedony,

The fourth, emerald,

The fifth, sardonyx,

The sixth, sardius,

The seventh, chrysolite,

The eighth, beryl,

The ninth, topaz,

The tenth, chrysoprase,

The eleventh, jacinth,

The twelfth, amethyst.

Three gates in each of the four directions,

With twelve angels at these gates.

Each gate is of one pearl.

The streets of the City are pure gold

As if it were transparent glass.

The city needs neither Sun nor Moon,

For the glory of God does lighten it.

Bright as crystal is the River of Water of Life.

The Trees of Life bear twelve kinds of fruits,

They yield fruits every month,

Their leaves heal diseases of any kind.

There shall be night in the City no more!

Only with one's name written in the Lamb's Book of Life,

May one enter this City of Eternal Light!

Such wondrous Heavenly Palace

Appears suddenly to receive this Homa sacrifice!

(b) Arrange seats for the Five Saints with the following stanza:

The boundless brightness of Holy Spirit is the seat outwardly,

Shining like pure gold is God and Son's seat inwardly,

The secret seat is in the merciful embrace of the Holy Mother,

The most secret seat is based on the Holy Karma of Apostles.

Then visualize a big sphere of pure white light on the seat. This is the Holy Spirit. At the center of this light is Jesus on the Cross. God is above the Cross, while male apostles, like St. Francis, are below the Cross. To the right of the Cross is the Holy Mother; to the left are the female apostles, like Theresa. These are the Five Saints that we are referring to. Our arrangement of the seat of the Holy Spirit differs from that of Christianity. This eases the correspondence between Holy Spirit and Dharmakaya.

Simple and poor manger is your seat outwardly,

Body and Blood served as Holy Supper is your seat inwardly,

Carrying the Cross of Salvation is your seat secretly,

The victorious bright light is your seat most secretly.

(d) Welcome Jesus with the following stanza:

Welcome, Jesus, the embodiment of Five Saints!

Welcome, Holy Spirit, which is your essence!

Welcome, Holy Father, who sent you to us!

Welcome, Holy Mother, who gave birth to you!

Welcome, the Apostles, who help your Holy Karma!

Five Saints in oneness are appearing together.

Whether you're in the manger or on the Cross,

Or in Heaven to the right of Holy Father,

Please accept this offering and absorb me as one,

And help my Karma with restraint none!

(e) Praise Jesus with the following stanza:

You are an incarnation of the compassionate Guan Yin.

Through the ages He appears in various forms for Salvation.

Once in China as the holy monk Jing Ai

Who cut his flesh into stripes to inspire others' Bodhicitta.

His blood became white and paved the way to Pureland,

With his heart in his palms, he knelt toward West and died.

His sacrifice was more superior to that of yours.

This offering to you is in honor of all compassionate monks,

Thus we worship fully the compassionate spirit of Guan Yin.

Through the Kalpas there are numerous Buddhas and Bodhisattvas

Whose holy sacrifices are most worthy of being praised,

Yet none of these sacrifices is as well known as Jesus' Crucifixion.

7. Blessing the Wood and Oil

Stanza:

With the calamity-like firewood,

Start up the wisdom fire.

After offering them,

All the Sages, beings, do have the Pleasure!

The pure and clean butter helps the wisdom fire,

May all sufferings in the six realms be burned out!

8. Starting the Fire

(a) Start the fire:

With the fire mudra turn around clockwise thrice on top of the fire altar while repeating, "Lang Lang Lang."

Use a fan with the Tibetan syllable "Yang" to fan the fire thrice while repeating, "Yang, Yang, Yang." Then repeat:

Wisdom Wisdom Great Wisdom!

Wisdom Wisdom Constant Wisdom!

Wisdom Wisdom Samadhi Wisdom!

Wisdom Wisdom Tranquility Wisdom!

(b) Offering to the God of Fire:

Incantation:

Weng, A Na Ye, Sha Ba Li Wa La, Ka Ka, Ka Xi, Ka Xi.

Praise:

You are the sovereign Prince of Dharma.

You have been blessed as King of Karma!

With special wisdom burn up the sorrow,

Help us to fulfill the good wishes through Homa!

Stanza:

I, the Acarya, and all the followers

Do have learned Dharma and done good Karma.

Any kind of obstacles before the Homa is done

Please send away from this Mandala!

Weng, A Na Ye, Sha Ba Li Wa La, Weng, Sha Wa Ba Bang, Xin Deng Gu Lu Ye, Suo Ha.

9. Offering to the Five Saints of Christianity

(a) Bless bread and wine:

Stanza:

As you called "Eat!" bread became your body,

As you called "Drink!" wine became your blood.

With all such powers I carry on the Salvation,

Clean all sins and give beings new life in Dharma!

Praise the holy meal with this Stanza:

This bread is my body that serves everyone,

This wine is my blood—the wisdom of all Buddhas,

May such compassion set every sinner free!

May such wisdom spread the teachings of Buddha!

May this offer of bread and wine embody

All the merits of preaching Dharma and saving beings!

Supplication Stanza:

You offered your body and blood to redeem our sins,

This bread and wine is offered to represent our thanks,

May sins be abolished and merits accumulated,

A good foundation obtained to enjoy the pleasure of Buddha!

(b) Offer bread and wine to the Five Saints respectively:

1. Offer to the Holy Spirit with this Stanza:

The Holy Spirit is everywhere all the time,

Thus God's being may merge into the Dharmakaya.

Please enjoy this offering and render all your help,

Safeguard every being till they become Buddhas!

2. Offer to the Holy Father with this Stanza:

Through accumulating merits God's power is supreme.

The Universe appeared, like a Maya, in only seven days.

God once protected the Dharma with supreme authority.

Please enjoy this offer and guard me as you did Buddha!

3. Offer to the Holy Son with this Stanza:

Jesus is an incarnation of the compassionate Guan Yin.

To redeem everyone's sins is to fulfill God's will.

Now as always one may be saved through believing in Jesus.

Please enjoy this offer and help me spread the Dharma!

4. Offer to the Holy Mother with this Stanza:

In God's grace you are affectionate and pure.

Your virginal Garbhadhatu gave birth to God's son.

Your prayers are answered instantly like echoes.

Please enjoy this offer and help me to realize Dorji Chang!

5. Offer to the Holy Apostles with this Stanza:

St. Francis set the example of a monk.

St. Theresa is a model of modesty.

The apostles are nice examples for us to follow.

Please enjoy this offer and ensure our speedy Enlightenment!

Stanza:

This oatmeal is offered as Mass

To show our gratitude for being blessed.

May good deeds spread and all sins redeemed!

Help me to preach Dharma all over the world!

(d) Offer fish:

Stanza:

As you fasted but still took fish,

Your followers do the same on Fridays.

As you changed small amount into multitude,

May I obtain such powers through this Homa!

Please help me to save all beings in Samsara

Just as what was done by the fish-swallowing Tilopa!

May they become the fish that plays with me in joy!

(e) Offer black sesame:

Stanza:

The sins of all beings in Samsara are black and numerous.

These sesame seeds represent offerings of sinful flesh and blood.

(f) Offer mustard seeds:

Stanza:

All devils are induced by our sins.

Satan's family spreads all over this Saha world.

May this offering of mustard seeds bring an end to all evils!

All perverse views be destroyed and Enlightenment pervade!

(g) Offer white silk garment:

Stanza:

Your white cloth was torn down before crucifixion.

We are very sorry that it could have happened.

Now this white garment is offered as a remedy,

May your glory bring me consorts!

(h) Offer grass-root or offer needles and threads:

Stanza:

The needles are like nerves full of vitality.

The threads are like energy of longevity.

May I induce the essential long-life strength

To help convert believers of Christianity!

(i) Offer fresh fruits:

Stanza:

These fruits filled with pure nectar are offered,

May believers of Jesus obtain the fruits of Buddhahood!

(j) Offer the Cross to Jesus:

Praise the Cross with the Stanza:

Through the Kalpas there are numerous Buddhas and Bodhisattvas

Whose holy sacrifices are most worthy of being praised.

Yet none of these sacrifices is as well known as Jesus' Crucifixion.

The horizontal bar of the Cross stretches through ten directions.

The vertical bar of the Cross withstands all three times.

Birth given from God above the Cross!

Death taken for men below the Cross!

Supplication Stanza:

God as father, virgin as mother,

Lived for all and died the same,

Resurrected after death in order to save everyone,

As his incarnation, you are indifferentiable from Guan Yin.

Throughout the three times and in the ten directions

The compassionate Karma on the Cross is well known.

Give alms and observe the commandments,

Tolerate all disgraces and look toward Heaven,

Be firm in all distresses and gain peace through wisdom.

Thus you set the recipes for Men-Heaven goodness.

This foundation may help one reach Vajrayana.

So now is the time to help spread the Dharma.

May your compassion help me in every way!

Bestow on me the power to give sight or life!

May European wind and American rain all sing

the Triple-Gems Hymn!

Lead the whole world to form one Buddha-temple!

Offer one Cross at each of the following fourteen stations.

Stanzas on the Fourteen Stations of the Cross:

(1) Condemned to Death

Crown of thorns to Jesus misdeemed.

Should the God's Son have his own sin?

It was God sending his son for us.

As we have sinned, through him to redeem.

(2) Bearing the Cross

On the Cross there's all mankind's heavy sin.

Who could bear, except you, the great compassion?

We should have thanked you not only with tears.

We must be pure without sin and delusion!

(3) The First Fall

Blood and body were served for supper last night.

Your prayer moved not the cup even so right.

The attainment of your mercy was so deep,

Made you fall down even you're almighty!

(4) Met His Mother

When you rose up from the dusty ground

Just then was your mother to be found.

Taught us to confess our sins early,

To be loved and free from burdens wrung!

(5) Simon Shared the Load

It was the good Simon who shared your load.

I am sad that then I was not with Lord!

Now the great event falls on my shoulders,

I wish I might get your help a lot!

(6) Veronica Wiped the Face of Jesus

Tears of pity were shed when you bore the Cross.

Lament still remains though thousand years have passed!

I envy that Veronica had wiped it,

Though, like blood, my red candles on Homa across!

(7) The Second Fall

Sins full of the sky you had born all.

So far away you went in the cold.

For others sake you staggered and fell.

Taught us to rise even after fall!

(8) Met Women Weeping

The image makes us sad even now.

The women who met you, how could they bear?

One who has sin could not console you.

Should we never sin again we must know!

(9) The Third Fall

Your great power could raise the dead!

You might bear the heavy load you had!

Still you fell and rose up three times.

Taught us to confess even so bad!

(10) Garment Stripped (Here five yards of white silk may be offered.)

Neither had you church nor food,

But gave teachings in deep mood!

What a cruelty it was!

Keep no garment you could!

(11) Nailed on the Cross

Who was so cruel you to nail?

"Lord of the World " all did hail!

Who could nail all sages of five signs?

Each age has one following so well!

(12) Salvation Through His Death

You loved all and were victim for all!

Our merciful God to you so cool!

To redeem our sins was so difficult

That God put you to death to save us whole!

(13) Lay in Mother's Arms

(i)

It was given back to her

Who was chosen to give him life.

To whom it was still as dear

As though he were still alive!

(ii)

Under the Cross Mother met your death,

How could she bear to think of your holy birth?

From her deepest lament tears were falling down,

Drop by drop till it mingles with ours!

(14) Jesus Ascended to Heaven

Where on the Earth could be the Holy Mountain

Which could bury you forever to maintain?

Even the stone gate could not keep you at all,

Flown to the Holy Heaven you did attain!

(k) Offer the eight offerings:

Stanza:

With this offering of water, may God shower nectar on us!

With this offering of flower, may Holy Spirit bring us pleasure in Dharma!

With this offering of incense, may our sins be redeemed through Jesus!

With this offering of lamp, may Holy Mother pray for our wisdom!

With this offering of perfume, may we tread the path of Holy Apostles!

With this offering of food, may the Five Saints bless us!

With this offering of music, may the Five Saints help spread the Dharma!

10. Giving thanks to the God of Fire

Stanza:

Brightness shines, warmth and heat felt.

As incense smokes float and spread so are the grand Dharma activities.

Nectars from Jesus moisten the whole universe,

While the grace of the God of Fire extends throughout the Dharmadhatu.

Incantation:

Weng, A Na Ye, Sha Ba Li Wa La, Ka Ka, Ka Xi, Ka Xi, Weng A Hong.

11. Dedication of the Merits

(a) General One:

Stanza:

Wisdom life was born of Gurus.

Corporeal life was born of parents.

Offerings were born of donors.

Fire, the fire god; water, Dragon King.

Place belongs to the country; companions are others.

In all these there is neither I nor mine.

Good coming from whatever causes and conditions

Is the natural fruit of those causes and conditions.

The great tranquility that all beings possess originally

Is beyond the sphere of causes and consequences.

May this Homa that transcends causes and consequences

Bring about the great fruit of great causes!

All calamities, sufferings and hindrances to meditation,

Those arise before attaining the great fruit,

May they all be pacified in the light of Dharma nature!

(b) Special One:

Stanza:

May the merit of this Homa

Bring about the presence of Guan Yin and God!

Thanks to God and His family!

Thanks to Jesus for redeeming our sins!

Thanks to the Holy Spirit for constant protection!

Thanks to the Holy Mother for merciful prayers!

Thanks to the Holy Apostles for setting examples!

From now on we'll be free from all evils!

Never shall we be weary of doing good!

May our lives be as pure as the hymns!

May our Karma be filled with resurrections!

May this foundation of Men-Heaven goodness be well established!

Thus we may practice Dharma and soon reach Enlightenment!

May we possess the Six Supernatural Powers and the Ten Powers of Buddha!

May all human beings and heavenly beings soon become Buddhists!

Special Confession Stanzas:

To Vajrasattva we deeply confess the sins of

Those Vajrayana practitioners who are pretentious,

Those Chan School practitioners who are arrogant,

Those Pureland School practitioners who are careless,

And those who violate the silas of Buddhas.

We also confess these sins to the Cross,

May the displeasure of Heavenly Gods and

The anger of Hell Gods thereby be pacified!

The sins of violating the Five Silas or the Ten Virtues,

The sins of violating the Silas of Bodhisattvas,

The sins of violating the Fourteen Basic Silas of Vajrayana,

And the sins of violating the Silas of Sunyata,

Besides confessing all these sins to the Thirty-five Buddhas,

May the resulting anger of the Heavenly Gods, displeasure of Hell Gods,

And the criminal charges brought up against one

Or the punishments inflicted upon one

Be pacified by confessing to the Cross.

Quarreling among various religions and fighting among protectors,

Holding Mahayana against Hinayana without realizing their supplementary relationship,

Depending on Buddha to be disrespectful of Gods,

Boasting about deep theory and ignoring small rules of conduct,

Censuring religions according to the shallow sciences,

Pursuing material comforts at the expense of spiritual growth,

Manufacturing all kinds of instruments for killing,

Propagating violence to oppress innocent people,

Spreading perverse ideas and wrong views,

May the sins of all these wrongful deeds

Be redeemed through confessing to Jesus!

12. Amendment

Repeat thrice the 100-Word Incantation of Vajrasattva.

13. Repeat Original Vows

Recite the practitioner's Bodhi Vows to pray for continuous and never ending progress of Dharma activities.

14. Mudra

Hold the Mudra of the Five Saints of Christianity.

15. Circumambulation

Circumambulate clockwise the Homa platform thrice as gesture of reverence, and then bow thrice to the Five Saints of Christianity in reverence to express gratitude.

Auspicious Completion

July 30, 2005

El Cerrito, California

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