Verses for Daily Living

Thich Nhat Hanh
Plum Village Chanting Book

Inviting the Bell

May the sound of this bell penetrate deeply into the cosmos
In even the darkest places, may living beings hear it clearly
So that understanding comes to their heart, and without hardship
They transcend all anxiety and sorrow.

May the sound of this bell penetrate deeply ito the cosmos

In even the darkest places, may living beings hear it clearly

so their suffering will cease

understanding arises in their hearts

and they can transcand the parth of anxiety and sorrow.

Listening to the Bell

First Variation:

Listening to the bell,

I feel the afflictions in me begin to dissolve,

My mind becomes calm, my body relaxed

A smile is born on my lips.

Following the sound of the bell,

my breath guides me back to the

safe island of mindfulness.

In the garden of my heart,

the flower of peace blooms beautifully.

Second Variation:

Listen, listen,

this wounderful sound

brings me back to my true home

Calming The Breat

Breathing in I calm my body

Breathing out, I smile

Dwelling in the present moment

This is the wonderful moment

Breathing

Going back to the island of self,

I see Buddha is my mindfulness

shining near, shining far.

Dharma is my breathing.

guarding body and mind

Sangha is my Five Skandhas

workig in harmongy.

Breathing in, breathing out,

Flower, fresh

Mountain, solid

Water, reflecting

Space, free.

Entering the Meditation Hall

Entering the meditation hall
I see my true self
As I sit down
I vow to cut off all disturbances

Sitting Down

Sitting here

is like sitting

under a Bodhi tree

My body is mindfulness itself,

free from all distraction

Adjusting Posture

Feelings come an go

like clouds in a windy sky

Conscious breathing

is my anchor.

Drinking Tea

This cup of tea in my two hands

midfulness held perfectly.

My mind and body dwell

in the very here and now

Turning on the Light

Fogetfulness is ht darkness

Mindfulness is the light

I bring awareness

to shine upon all life

Turning On the Water

Water flows from high in the mountains

Water runs deep it the Earth

Miraculously, water comes to us

and sustains all life

Brushing Your Teeth

Brushing my teeth and rinsing my mouth

I vow to speak purely and lovingly

When my mouth is fragrant with right speech,

a flower blooms in the garden of my heart.

Bathing

Rinising my body

my herat is cleansed

The universal is perfumed with flowers,

Actions of body, speech, and mind are calmed.

Getting Dressed

Putting on these clothes

I am grateful to those who made them

and to the materials from which they were made

I wish everyone could have enough to wear

Cleanig the Bathroom

How wonderful it is

to scrub and clearn

Day by day

te heart and mind grow clearer

Sweeping

As I carefully sweep

the ground of enlightenment

a tree of understanding

sprigs up from the Earth

Washing the Dishes

Washing the dishes

is like bathing a baby Buddha

The profane is sacred

Everyday mind is Buddha's mind

Using the Telephone

Words can travel thousands of miles

May my words create mutual understanding and love

May they be as beautiful as gems

as lovely as flowers

Turning On the Television

The mind is a television

with thousands of channels

I choose a world that is tranquil and calm

so that my joy will always be fresh.

Turnig On The Computer

Turning on the computer

my mind gets in touch with the store

I vow to transform habit energies

to help love and understanding grow

Arranging Flowers

Arranging these flowers

in the Saha World

the ground o my mind

is pure and calm

Recycling

In the garbage I see a rose

In the rose, I see the gabage

Everything is in transformation

Even permanence is impermanent

Smiling At Your Anger

Breathing in

I know that anger makes me not beautiful

Breathing out, I smile.

I stay with my breathing

so I woun't lose myself