Hannya Shingyo
It is called the Heart Sutra because it represents the heart of great wisdom. It was written between the 1st and 6th centuries of our era.
Common to all lineages of buddhism, it is certainly the most well-known sutra. The bodhisattva Avalokitesvara gives a teaching to Sariputra on the emptiness of all beings and all things, because none of them possesses a fixed or substantial character.
Everything is impermanent and exists in interdependence and not solely by itself.
Takkesa Ge
Also called the Kesa Sutra, the Takkesa Ge is chanted as a sign of veneration for the kesa, the robe of Buddha.
Also, before draping oneself in it, one places it above oneself, resting on one’s head while silently chanting the Takkesa Ge three times. During sesshins, this sutra is chanted in chorus by everyone, seated, at the end of the morning zazen.
Shigu Seigan Mon
This short sutra represents the ideal of the bodhisattva constituted by his four fundamental vows, of which the first – to save all beings – encompasses the other three. Chanted every morning, this sutra reminds us of the highest mission of the mahayana buddhism practitioner in this world, as a human being. Every day he renews these vows.
The Shigu Seigan Mon follows the Hannya Shingyo during ceremonies.
Eko
This sutra is a dedication of the ceremony to all the great masters cited. All Buddhas or Patriarchs are therefore not part of this short recitation. The most important ones of our soto lineage, such as Buddha, Bodhidharma, Dogen, Keisan, Kodo Sawaki, Taisen Deshimaru and Niwa Zenji are however respectfully cited and thanked.
The Eko is recited during morning ceremonies.
Fueko
This sutra is a universal invocation that wishes all sentient beings to awaken to the Way of Buddha.
The Fueko is recited during the short evening ceremony that closes the day.
Ji Ho San Shi
This sutra which closes the ceremony is chanted as a sign of gratitude to all Buddhas and Patriarchs. The Ji ho San Shi is generally accompanied by sampai, three prostrations.
Fukanzazengi
The Fukanzazengi, a sutra written by Dogen, presents the essential of the practice of zazen.
Busho Kapila
The Busho Kapila is a sutra chanted during the meal ceremony.