One Hundred Eight Bows

As long as there is true bowing, the Buddha Way will not deteriorate.

Dogen

The nature of the worshipper and the worshipped is empty and still,
This practice of mine is like a pearl in Indra's net;
Shakyamuni Buddha manifests within it.
My body appears before Shakyamuni,
Bowing at his feet, I return my life in worship.

Bowing Contemplation Verse

Bowing is central to Buddhism, and a practice of 108 bows is common to many schools. Here each bow has been annotated with a verse or topic, allowing each bow to a rededication to a particular aspect of Buddhist practice.

Opening
Three Homages
  1. Homage to the Buddha
  2. Homage to the Dharma
  3. Homage to the Sangha
Three Refuges
  1. I take refuge in the Buddha
  2. I take refuge in the Dharma
  3. I take refuge in the Sangha
  4. A second time, I take refuge in the Buddha
  5. I take refuge in the Dharma
  6. I take refuge in the Sangha
  7. A third time, I take refuge in the Buddha
  8. I take refuge in the Dharma
  9. I take refuge in the Sangha
Great Section
Four Noble Truths
  1. There is suffering
  2. There is a cause of suffering
  3. There is an end to suffering
  4. The end of suffering is through the eightfold path
Eightfold Path
  1. Correct view
  2. Correct intention
  3. Correct speech
  4. Correct action
  5. Correct livelihood
  6. Correct effort
  7. Correct mindfulness
  8. Correct meditation
Bodhisattva Vows
  1. Sentient beings are numberless; I vow to save them all
  2. Delusions are endless; I vow to cut through them all
  3. The teachings are infinite; I vow to learn them all
  4. The Buddha Way is inconceivable; I vow to attain it
Bodhisattvas
  1. Homage to Kanzeon, the great compassionate one
  2. Homage to Manjusri, the great wise one
  3. Homage to Ksitigarbha, the great protector
  4. Homage to Achalanatha, the great steadfast one
  5. Homage to Samantabhadra, the great virtuous one
Achalanatha Section
Ten Perfections
  1. I vow to strive for the perfection of generosity
  2. I vow to strive for the perfection of virtue
  3. I vow to strive for the perfection of patience
  4. I vow to strive for the perfection of diligence
  5. I vow to strive for the perfection of meditation
  6. I vow to strive for the perfection of wisdom
  7. I vow to strive for the perfection of skill
  8. I vow to strive for the perfection of determination
  9. I vow to strive for the perfection of spirituality
  10. I vow to strive for the perfection of knowledge
Five Spiritual Powers
  1. May I be rich in faith
  2. May I be rich in energy
  3. May I be rich in mindfulness
  4. May I be rich in meditation
  5. May I be rich in wisdom
Seven Factors of Enlightenment
  1. May I strengthen mindfulness
  2. May I strengthen study
  3. May I strengthen energy
  4. May I strengthen joy
  5. May I strengthen tranquility
  6. May I strengthen meditation
  7. May I strengthen equanimity
Three Seals of Truth
  1. Everything which is subject to origination is all subject to cessation.
  2. Nothing in this world can truly be called mine
  3. The Buddha Nature is in all things
Five Remembrances
  1. I am subject to aging, have not gone beyond aging.
  2. I am subject to illness, have not gone beyond illness.
  3. I am subject to death, have not gone beyond death.
  4. I will grow different, separate from all that is dear and appealing to me.
  5. Whatever I do, for good or for evil, to that will I fall heir.
Samantabharda Section
Three Pure Precepts
  1. I vow to cease from evil
  2. I vow to do only good
  3. I vow to do good for others
Ten Great Precepts
  1. I vow to cherish life
  2. I vow to respect property
  3. I vow to be content with what I have
  4. I vow to speak the truth
  5. I vow to guide others on the right path
  6. I vow to speak peacefully about others
  7. I vow to encourage people
  8. I vow to be generous
  9. I vow to be kind
  10. I vow to respect the Three Treasures
Verse of Repentance
  1. All the evil committed by me is caused by beginningless greed, hate and delusion
  2. All the evil is committed by my body, speech and mind
  3. I now confess everything whole-heartedly
  4. All the evil committed by me is caused by beginningless greed, hate and delusion
  5. All the evil is committed by my body, speech and mind
  6. I now confess everything whole-heartedly
  7. All the evil committed by me is caused by beginningless greed, hate and delusion
  8. All the evil is committed by my body, speech and mind
  9. I now confess everything whole-heartedly
Kanzeon Section
Loving-Kindness
  1. May I be well and happy
  2. May those closest to me be well and happy
  3. May my acquaintances be well and happy
  4. May those unknown to me be well and happy
  5. May those who dislike me be well and happy
  6. May all those in hell be released
  7. May all those hungry ghosts be fed
  8. May all animals be well and happy
  9. May all people be well and happy
  10. May all those in the heavenly realms seek the truth
Six Directions
  1. May my mother and father be well and happy
  2. May my partner and family be well and happy
  3. May my teachers be well and happy
  4. May my friends and colleagues be well and happy
  5. May those who serve me be well and happy
  6. May all priests and monks be well and happy
Scripture of Avalokiteshvara
  1. In all the worlds, in all the quarters, there is nowhere Kannon does not go
Closing
Three Refuges
  1. I take refuge in the Buddha
  2. I take refuge in the Dharma
  3. I take refuge in the Sangha
Three Homages
  1. Homage to the Buddha
  2. Homage to the Dharma
  3. Homage to the Sangha

Compiled by Steve Kollmansberger
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