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[Last updated: 25 October 1993]
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                        WHY DO WE RECITE SUTRAS?
                        by Hakuun Yasutani Roshi

This text addresses some of the most fundamental and delicate religious 
issues. Therefore, it should be read, quoted and analysed in a mindful 
way.

Copyrights (c) by Robert Aitken and Sydney Zen Center
251 Young St., Annandale, Sydney, NSW 2038, Australia.

(Hakuun Yasutani Roshi  (1885-28 Mar 1973) was a successor of Daiun 
Sogaku Roshi and a teacher of Koun Yamada Roshi. He was one of Maezumi 
Roshi's three principle teachers. He visited the United States each year 
from 1962 to 1969, holding a number of sesshin from coast to coast. More 
articles by and about Yasutani Roshi appear in the Yasutani Roshi 
Memorial Issue of the Zen Center of Los Angeles Journal, available in 
the ZCLA Bookstore. This document was scanned from an un-referenced 2- 
page typed manuscript in the collection of the Sydney Zen Center.)


There are three reasons why we recite sutras. First, we recite them to 
make an offering to Buddhist patriarchs; second, to create a noble 
relationship with all beings; third, to unite these first two actions 
with our Buddhist training.

The first reason, to make a sincere offering to Buddhist patriarchs, is 
a natural expression of gratitude for the opportunity to hear, to 
believe, to learn and to realize Buddhist teaching.

Our action in erecting a Buddhist image and offering it incense, 
flowers, candle-light and deep bows is such an expression. The greatest 
delight for Buddhist patriarchs is for their followers to respect, to 
maintain and to spread the teaching. Therefore, we sit before an image 
and recite with sincerity the sutras which they composed. In this way, 
our sutra recitation is the expression of our gratitude to them.

Second, Buddhist followers want to have others know about and believe 
and realize the noble teaching of the Buddha. In order to do this, we 
must read sutras as often as possible. It is necessary and important to 
do this to establish a relationship with many people. You may ask why, 
then, we may read sutras alone, or before a dead person. Such recitation 
has value, and I will explain it to you.

We recite sutras before others as an education of their subconscious 
minds. On the surface, it may seem that effectiveness of teaching is 
limited by the extent of understanding. So, it may be thought, if we 
read difficult sutras, they will have no effect. However, only people 
who do not understand the power and subtlety of the subconscious, hold 
such an opinion. If you have studied only a little about the 
subconscious, you will know that even though you do not grasp meaning 
with your conscious mind, you may understand very clearly with your 
subconscious. Or, if you do not get any conscious impression, you may 
already have a subconscious impression. Moreover, you will know, if you 
have studied the matter, that our conscious mind is influenced by our 
subconscious; indeed, that our subconscious operates absolute control 
over our character.

Now, reading sutras alone in a mountain temple is announcing Buddha's 
teaching to all the world, to all the universe. For our conscious minds, 
we need a radio station and a radio. However, on the subconscious level, 
all people in this world and all life in this universe receive perfectly 
the sutras recited by one person in a mountain temple, and they accept 
completely the doctrines of Buddhism.

Moreover, if you know the grandeur and subtlety of the thinking process, 
you will realize that just thinking the sutras, without using the voice, 
has a great influence upon the people of the world

Thus, whether or not others can see or hear, whether they are alive or 
long dead, if we recite sutras time and again with great conviction to 
the visible and invisible worlds, we permeate everywhere and guide many 
to Buddhism, saving all beings. Therefore, the recitation of sutras is 
very meaningful work.

I presume that you understand that the first two elements of sutra 
recitation are elements of Buddhist training. But I want to emphasize 
this point, that there is a great difference in effectiveness in both 
elements according to the way you recite the sutras -- with great energy 
and single-mindedness, or half-heartedly. 

At the same time, there is also a great difference in effectiveness in 
the third aspect of sutra recitation. This third element is this: if you 
recite sutras with great energy and single-mindedness frequently, then 
your own samadhi-power will be strengthened and you will have a good 
chance for satori. Or, if you have already awakened, your satori will 
shine more brilliantly in your character and act more effectively in 
your everyday life. The most important attitude in reciting sutras is to 
recite with your whole spirit.

In conclusion, let me say that if you recite sutras with your whole 
heart, there will be no difference between zazen and your recitation.

Translated by:
Eido Tai Shimano Roshi
Robert Chotan Aitken Roshi
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