Gathas and Songs
Gatha
for inviting (ringing of) the bell:
Body, speech, and mind in perfect oneness.
I send my heart along with the sound of this bell.
May the hearers awaken from forgetfulness
And transcend all anxiety and sorrow.
Gatha
for before the meal:
This
food is the gift of the whole universe.
The earth, the sky, and much hard work.
May
I live in a way that makes me worthy to receive it.
May
I train my unskillful states of mind and learn to eat in moderation.
May
I eat only foods that nourish me and prevent illness.
I
accept this food in order to realize the path of understanding and love.
For
the first four mouthfuls of food:
(With
the first mouthful) I
vow to practice the love that brings joy..
(With
the second mouthful) I practice the love that relieves suffering.
(With the first mouthful) I practice the joy of being alive.
(With
the first mouthful) I practice equal love for all beings.
A
Few Songs from Plum Village:
“I
Have Arrived”
I
have arrived, I am home
In
the here, and in the now
I
am solid, I am free
I
am solid, I am free
In
the ultimate, I dwell
In
the ultimate, I dwell
“No
Coming, No Going”
No
coming, no going
No
after, no before
I
hold you close to me
I
release you to be so free
Because
I am in you and you are in me
Because
I am in you and you are in me
“Dear
Friends”
Dear
friends, dear friends, let me tell you how I feel,
You
have given me such treasures, I love you so.
“Breathing
In”
Breathing
in, breathing out
Breathing
in, breathing out
I
am blooming as a flower
I
am fresh as the dew
I
am solid as a mountain
I
am firm as the earth
I
am free
Breathing
in, breathing out
Breathing
in, breathing out
I
am water reflecting
What
is real, what is true
And
I feel there is space
Deep
inside of me
I
am free, I am free
Buddhist Monastery, China