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 zen 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.
Eko
Aogi koi nega waku wa sambo:
Fushite shokan wo tare tamae…
Jorai Maka Hannya Haramita Shingyo,
wo fujutsu, atsumuru tokoro no kudoku wa /
Dai Hon Kyo Shu, honshi Shakya Muni Butsu,
Shin Tan Shoso Bodai Daruma Daiosho,
Shusso Eihei Dogen Daiosho,
Keizan Jokin Daiosho,
Mokusho Senku Daiosho,
Kaku Kaku Rekidai No Daiosho, Narabini:
Somon Kodo Daiosho,
Mokudo Taisen Daiosho,
Zuigaku Rempo Zenji Daiosho:
no tame kamiji on ni mukui i
Honjitsu (name of the dojo) Dojo ni
sanzen seishu Ichido no kofuku wo
kinen sen koto wo.
Translation
We humbly implore your true compassion and your awakening.
After chanting the sutra of Great Wisdom, we dedicate this ceremony
to each of the following great masters, in order to express our gratitude for their compassion:
To Buddha Shakyamuni, principal master and pillar of the Teaching which is a great benefit,
to the great master Bodhidharma, founding ancestor,
to the great master Eihei Dôgen, ancestor of the School,
to the great master Keizan Jokin,
to the great master Mokusho Senku,
to the great master Somon Kodo,
to the great master Mokudo Taisen,
to the great master Zuigaku Rempo,
…
we express our gratitude.
We pray for the happiness of all the participants of the pure assembly, who came today to the (name of the dojo) to practice zazen.