Gathas are short verses to recite to help us be mindful during daily activities. By making us more aware of each action, they are an exercise in mindfulness and poetry.

 

 

1
Waking Up

Waking up this morning, I smile.
Twenty-four brand new hours are before me.
I vow to live fully in each moment
and to look at beings with eyes of compassion.

2
Taking the First Steps of the Day

Walking on the Earth
is a miracle!
Each mindful step
reveals the wondrous Dharmakaya.

3
Stepping out of Bed

If today I inadvertently step on a small insect,
may it not suffer too much.
May it be liberated.
Homage to the Bodhisattva of the Land of Great Happiness.

4
Opening the Window

Opening the window, I look out onto the Dharmakaya.
How wondrous is life!
Attentive to each moment,
my mind is clear like a calm river.

5
Turning on the Water

Water comes from high mountain sources.
Water runs deep in the Earth.
Miraculously, water comes to us and sustains all life.
My gratitude is filled to the brim.

6
Washing Your Hands

Water flows over these hands.
May I use them skillfully
to preserve our precious planet.

7
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.

8
Rinsing Your Mouth

Rinsing my mouth, my heart is cleansed.
The universe is perfumed by flowers.
Actions of body, speech, and mind are calmed.
Hand in hand with the Buddha, I walk in the Pure Land.

9
Using the Toilet

Defiled or immaculate,
increasing or decreasing–
these concepts exist only in our mind.
The reality of interbeing is unsurpassed.

10
Bathing

Unborn and indestructible,
beyond time and spaceÑ
both transmission and inheritance
lie in the wonderful nature of Dharmadhatu.*

11
Looking in the Mirror

Awareness is a mirror
reflecting the four elements.
Beauty is a heart that generates love
and a mind that is open.

12
Washing Your Feet

The peace and joy
of one toe
is peace and joy
for my whole body.

15
Entering the Meditation Hall

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

16
Sitting Down

Sitting here
is like sitting under a Bodhi tree.
My body is mindfulness itself,
free from all distraction.

17
Finding a Stable Posture

In the lotus posture,
the human flower blooms.
The udumbara flower is here,
offering its true fragrance.*

18
Calming the Breath

Breathing in, I calm my body.
Breathing out, I smile.
Dwelling in the present moment,
I know this is a wonderful moment!

19
Adjusting Posture

Feelings come and go
like clouds in a windy sky.
Conscious breathing
is my anchor.

20
Greeting Someone

A lotus for you
a Buddha to be.

21
Holding the Alms’ Bowl

The bowl of the Tathagata
is in my two hands.
Giver, receiver, and gift
held in perfect oneness.

22
Blessing the Offering to the Hungry

The ways of the Awakened One are wondrous.
His limitless compassion
transforms seven grains of rice
into food enough for everyone.

23
Offering to the Hungry

Great garuda bird,
hungry spirits in immense wastelands,
mother and child starving in the desert,
the balm of compassion satisfies all their hunger.

24
Before Eating

The Buddha advises us to be mindful
while we eat,
to be in touch with the Sangha and the food.
Brothers and sisters, when you hear the bell,
meditate on the Five Contemplations:
This food is the gift of the whole universeÑ
the earth, the sky, and much hard work.
May we be worthy to receive it.
May we transform unskillful states of mind,
especially the habit of eating without moderation.
May we take only foods that nourish us
and prevent illness.
We accept this food to realize
the path of understanding and love.

25
Holding the Empty Bowl

Looking at this bowl,
I see how fortunate I am
to have enough to eat to continue the practice.

26
Serving Food

In this food,
I see clearly
the entire universe
supporting my existence.

27
Before Eating

Beings all over the Earth
are struggling to live.
I aspire to practice deeply
so all may have enough to eat.

28
Beginning to Eat

With the first taste, I offer joy.
With the second, I help relieve
the suffering of others.
With the third, I see others’ joy as my own.
With the fourth, I learn the way of letting go.

29
Looking at Your Plate

or Bowl after Eating
The meal is finished,
and I am satisfied.
The four gratitudes
are deeply in my mind.

30
Bathing the Buddha

Today we bathe the Tathagata.
So much happiness comes from awakened understanding.
We have drifted a long time in the three realms.
Now we see that this world of dust is the Dharmakaya itself.

31
Inviting the Bell to Sound (Version 1)

Body, speech, and mind held in perfect oneness,
I send my heart along with the sound of the bell.
May the hearers awaken from forgetfulness
and transcend all anxiety and sorrow.

32
Inviting the Bell (Version 2)

May the sound of this bell penetrate deeply
into the cosmos.
In even the darkest spots, may living beings
hear it clearly,
so their suffering will cease,
understanding arise in their hearts,
and they can transcend the path of anxiety
and sorrow.
Namo Shakyamunaye Buddhaya.

33
Inviting the Bell (Version 3)

May the sound of this bell penetrate deeply
into the cosmos
so that beings, even those in dark places,
may hear it and be free from birth and death.
May all beings realize awakening and find
their way home.
Namo Shakyamunaye Buddhaya.

34
Listening to the Bell (Version 1)

Listen, listen,
this wonderful sound
brings me back
to my true home.

35
Listening to the Bell (Version 2)

Listening to the bell, I feel my afflictions
begin to dissolve.
My mind is calm, my body relaxed,
a smile is born on my lips.
Following the bell’s sound,
my breathing guides me back
to the safe island of mindfulness.
In the garden of my heart,
the flower of peace blooms beautifully.
Namo Shakyamunaye Buddhaya.

36
Listening to the Bell (Version 3)

Hearing the bell,
I am able to let go of all my afflictions.
My heart is calm, my sorrows ended.
I am no longer bound to anything.
I learn to listen to my suffering
and the suffering of the other person.
When understanding is born in me,
compassion is also born.

37
Morning Meditation

The Dharmakaya is bringing morning light.
Sitting still, my heart at peace, I smile.
This is a new day.
I vow to go through it with awareness.
The sun of wisdom will soon be shining everywhere.
Sisters and brothers, diligently bring your mind
into meditation.
Namo Shakyamunaye Buddhaya (three times).

38
Evening Meditation

At the foot of the Bodhi tree,
I keep my back straight and my posture stable
. Body, speech, and mind are calmed.
There is no longer any thought of right
and wrong.
Mindfulness is shining on the five skandhas.
The original face will be found,
and the shore of illusion will be left behind.
Sisters and brothers, diligently bring your mind
into meditation.
Namo Shakyamunaye Buddhaya (three times).

39
Impermanence

The day is ending and our life is one day shorter.
Let us look carefully at what we have done.
Let us practice diligently, putting our whole heart into the path of meditation.
Let us live deeply each moment and in freedom, so the time doesn’t slip away meaninglessly.

40
Praising the Buddha

The Buddha jewel shines infinitely.
He has realized perfect enlightenment for countless lifetimes.
The beauty and stability of a Buddha sitting
can be seen in the mountains and rivers.
How splendid is the Vulture Peak!
How beautiful the light that shines forth from Buddha’s third eye
illuminating the six dark paths.
The Nagapuspa assembly will be our next appointment
for the continuation of the true teachings and practices.
We take refuge in the Buddha ever-present.

41
Praising the Dharma

The Dharma jewel is infinitely lovely.
It is the precious words spoken by the Buddha himself,
like fragrant flowers floating down from the heavens.
The wonderful Dharma is plain to see.
It is recorded luminously in three transparent baskets,
handed down from generation to generation
in the ten directions,
so that today we can see our way.
We vow to study it with all our heart,
and take refuge in the Dharma ever-present.

42
Praising the Sangha

The Sangha jewel is infinitely precious,
a field of merit where good seeds can be sown.
The three robes and the bowl are symbols of freedom.
Precepts, concentration, and insight support each other.
The Sangha dwells in mindfulness day and night
providing the foundation for us to realize the fruit of meditation.
With one heart, we come home to the Sangha,
and take refuge in the Sangha ever-present.

43
Breathing (Version 1)

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
working in harmony.
Breathing in, breathing out.
Flower, fresh.
Mountain, solid.
Water, reflecting.
Space, free.

44
Breathing (Version 2)

Breathing in, I know I am breathing in.
Breathing out, I know I am breathing out.
As my in-breath grows deep,
my out-breath grows slow.
Breathing in, I calm my body
Breathing out, I feel ease. Breathing in, I smile
Breathing out, I release.
Dwelling in the present moment,
I know this is a wonderful moment.

45
Breathing (Version 3)

I have arrived
I am home
In the here
In the now
I am solid
I am free
In the ultimate
I dwell.
Arrived, arrived
At home, at home
Dwelling in the here
Dwelling in the now
Solid as a mountain
Free as the white clouds
The door to no-birth, no-death has opened
Free and unshakable I dwell.

46
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 won’t lose myself.

47
Turning 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.

48
Driving the Car

Before starting the car
I know where I’m going.
The car and I are one.
If the car goes fast, I go fast.

49
Making a Short Journey Safely

Two-thirds of accidents
take place near home.
Knowing this, I am very careful
Even on a short trip.

50
Looking at the Buddha Image before Touching the Earth

In the realm of suchness,
the one who bows and the one who is bowed to
are equally empty of a separate self.
With deep respect, I bow to Buddha in this spirit,
and the communication is perfect.
Buddhas manifest in all directions.
In the Interbeing Cosmos, as in every jewel of Indra’s net,
There are countless me’s bowing to countless Buddhas.

51
Drinking Tea

This cup of tea in my two hands,
mindfulness held perfectly.
My mind and body dwell
in the very here and now.

52
Watering the Plants

Don’t think you are cut off, dear plant.
This water comes to you from the Earth and sky.
You and I have been together
since beginningless time.

53
Looking at My Hand

Whose hand is this
that has never died?
Has anyone been born?
Will anyone die?

54
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.

55
Watering the Garden

The sunshine and the water
have brought about this luxurious vegetation.
The rain of compassion and understanding
can transform the dry desert into a vast fertile plain.

56
Walking Meditation

The mind can go in a thousand directions,
but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace.
With each step, a cool wind blows.
With each step, a flower blooms.

57
Turning on the Light

Forgetfulness is the darkness,
mindfulness is the light.
I bring awareness
to shine upon all life.

58
Washing Vegetables

In these vegetables
I see a green sun.
All dharmas join together
to make life possible.

59
Gardening

Earth brings us to life and nourishes us.
Earth takes us back again.
We are born and we die with every breath.

60
Planting a Tree

I entrust myself to Earth;
Earth entrusts herself to me.
I entrust myself to Buddha;
Buddha entrusts herself to me.

61
Cleaning the Bathroom

How wonderful
to scrub and clean.
Day by day,
my heart and  mind grow clearer.

62
Sweeping

As I carefully sweep
the ground of enlightenment,
a tree of understanding
springs up from the Earth.

63
Cleaning the Meditation Hall

As I clean
this fresh, calm room,
boundless joy
and energy arise!

64
Throwing Out the Garbage

In the garbage, I see a rose.
In the rose, I see compost.
Everything is in transformation.
Impermanence is life.

65
Cutting a Flower

May I cut you, little flower,
gift of Earth and sky?
Thank you, dear bodhisattva,
for making life so beautiful.

66
Arranging Flowers

Arranging these flowers
in the saha world,
the ground of my mind
is calm and pure.

67
Changing Water in a Vase

Water keeps the flower fresh.
The flower and I are one.
When the flower breathes, I breathe.
When the flower smiles, I smile.

68
Lighting a Candle

Lighting this candle,
Offering the light to countless Buddhas,
the peace and the joy I feel
brighten the face of the Earth.

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