II. Kệ Tụng Anh Ngữ

Verses of Gratitude toward the Dharma Patriarchs

1. I pay homage to the Dharma Patriarchs through the ages,
Who have transmitted the Dharma lamp from the Buddha to our generation.
For the course of disseminating the Dharma,
The Patriarchs have compassionately sacrificed their lives.

2. Khuong Tang Hoi (Kang Senghui) sowed the seeds of the Dharma in the ground of Vietnam [in the third century]
That later became the forest of Truc Lam Zen lineage [in the Tran Dynasty].
Though many dynasties have risen and fallen,  
Thanks to the efforts of our Patriarchs, the Dharma has continued until today. 

3. At the dawn of Buddhism in a new land, 
Some Patriarchs hardworkingly established monasteries and trained able monastics; 
Others painstakingly translated sutras and taught Vinaya 
Their efforts were to set up a solid foundation   for the development of Buddhism in the future.

 
4. Also, some have devoted themselves entirely to meditation
They have taught the Dharma by their pure and noble conducts.
No matter well-known or unknown, they all have greatly contributed to the cause of transmitting the Dharma
Thanks to their contributions, the history  of Buddhism has continued until today.

5. Some Patriarchs went across jungles or desserts;
Others sailed through oceans to spread the Dharma
They had to face all sorts of considerable danger. 
However, out of compassion our Patriarchs were determined to set out on the journey
Life and death were not in their thoughts. 

6. For the cause of spreading the Dharma, our Patriarchs have risked their lives
They have encountered vicious attacks by evil forces existing everywhere. 
However, with the armor of patience and tolerance, the sword of insight and the heart of fearlessness,
Our Patriarchs have bravely encountered adverse circumstances. 

7. Zen Patriarch Aryasimha was fearlessly beheaded 
Another Zen Patriarch Bodhidharma was at ease though being poisoned many times
To seek the Truth, the Dharma Master Shen Guang (Thần Quang) devotedly stood in deep snow and cut off his arm.
The Bodhi-mind of our Patriarchs is truly unconceivable!                                     

8. From India, the Dharma Master Pramiti brought to China the Śūraṁgama Sutra, which was forbidden to bring abroad at that time.
To hide the sutra, the Master cut His thigh and put it into the wound!
Our patriarchs went through uncountable painful and humiliated experiences on the course of spreading the Dharma
However, out of compassion to sentient beings, they were willing to sacrifice themselves. 

9. From China, many Dharma Master went to India for seeking sutras
On the Western journey, many of them died in the Gobi Desert 
Only a small number of pilgrims successfully returned
The Grand Master Xuan Zhuang (Huyền Tráng) was one of them. 

10. When Buddhists in Vietnam encountered the persecution of the authorities 
To protect Buddhism, the most Venerable Thích Quảng Đức sacrificed himself on a fire to appeal to the conscience of the evil
His heart of compassion is the heart of a Boddhisattva, which lasts forever. 

11. The Dharma we receive today is exchanged by  the lives of the ancients
Thanks to them we can find the Truth and fulfill our spiritual life
The grace of Patriarchs is so great that we cannot repay even by sacrificing our lives. 

12. We vow to continue the old path of our Masters and Patriarchs
By transmitting the Dharma lamp to the next  ​generation
Though we will endure considerable hardship to perform the Bodhisattva Way for eons 
We never hesitate or withdraw.

13. We pray that the Dharma will last forever
The Sangha is pure and harmonious to disseminate the Dharma.
With great gratitude, we offer the Buddha and Patriarchs this prayer
Please verify our sincere mind. 

Composed in Vietnamese and translated in  English by Ven. Sakya, Minh-Quang
On July 31, 2021, at Thien Tuong Temple