The Confession of the Lotus Sutra, page 18
8. Walking
The practitioner, having already worshipped the Buddha, should have a single mind, an erect body and a dignified bearing. Around the Throne of the Dharma one burns incense and scatters flowers. As one slowly and methodically begins walking around the Bodhimandala, the mind thinks upon the Three Treasures, and one sequentially calls out:
"Namu Jippo Butsu"
("Homage to
the Buddha of the Ten Directions")
"Namu Jippo Ho"
("Homage to
the Dharma of the Ten Directions")
"Namu Jippo So"
("Homage to
the Sangha of the Ten Directions")
"Namu Shakamuni Butsu"
("Homage to
Buddha Sakyamuni")
"Namu Taho Butsu"
("Homage to
the Buddha Abundant Treasures")
"Namu Shakamuni Funjin Butsu"
("Homage to
the Emanations of the Buddha Sakyamuni ")
"Namu Myoho Renge Kyo"
("Homage to
the Sutra Lotus Blossom of the Wonderful Dharma")
"Namu Monjushiri Bosatsu"
("Homage to
the Bodhisattva Manjusri")
"Namu Fugen Bosatsu"
("Homage to
the Bodhisattva Universal Virtue")
Like this, one praises the names of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Next, one should chant the Sutra, which is further clarified later. The practitioner not only awakens to and understands the empty nature of sound and the voice chanting the Sutra, but also recognizes that the body and mind are like a cloud and like a shadow. With the feet moving back and forth, the mind does not seek to attain anything and does not dwell upon the aspects of walking. One also recognizes that the body's reflection is manifested in the Ten Directions, filling up the Spiritual Realm - there is nowhere that it is not manifested. Surrounded by all the Buddhas, one circumambulates three times, seven times, twenty-one times, forty-nine times, a hundred times... One should not reason there to be a set number of times. If one desires to walk, one should again go back to calling out the names of the Three Treasures and burning incense with proper remembrance. Having made a covenant of the chant, it reaches to the place of the Original Buddha. Taking refuge in the Three Treasures with a single mind and proper remembrance, from the mouth one declares:
"I take refuge in The Buddha, and pray that living beings will embody and understand the Great Path of Enlightenment and inspire the Supreme Mind."
Having spoken, one worships, and then again speaks:
"I take refuge in The Dharma, and pray that living beings will deeply enter into the Treasury of the Sutras, and its wisdom that is like the ocean."
Having spoken, one worships, and then again speaks:
"I take refuge in The Sangha, and pray that all living beings will trace their lineage to the Great Audience1 without exception. Vandana2 to the Noble Assembly."
One worships.
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Footnote:
1. The Great Audience: Those present at the assembly of the Lotus Sutra
2. Vandana: ‘All praise’
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