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Birth and Baby Blessings

GENERIC BABY BLESSING

Outline of the Ceremony

  • Officiant Enters & offers incense
  • Welcome by Officiant
  • Gatha of Atonement
  • Purification
  • Parents’ wishes for Child
  • Offering of flowers by Children
  • Heart Sutra (with taiko drum) – 1x
  • Jizo Shingon Dharani (with taiko drum) – 21x
  • Dedication
  • Congratulations
  • Announcement by Chanter

The Baby Blessing Ceremony

  • Officiant Enters & Offers Incense (no fudosampai – 3 bows)
  • Words of Welcome by Officiant – invite parents & baby forward to altar & welcome

Good morning. Welcome to the baby blessing ceremony for [name of child.]

In Buddhism we consider taking birth in this human form to be one of the rarest of events. It is said that taking a human birth is as rare as a turtle deep in the ocean swimming to its surface and putting its head through a hole in a piece of wood floating on the surface. The chances of that happening is truly amazing to contemplate. And yet, here we all are.

There is a story of the human birth of Shakyamuni Buddha. It is said that when he was born, he took seven steps and declared, “Above the earth and below the heavens, I alone am the World Honored One.” We may think that [child’s name] did not do this. But, in fact, her/his very emergence into this realm as the One Body is the taking of the seven steps and declaration of the nature of life.

As she/he grows up, she/he, too, will question “Who is this “I,” this “me,” this [name of child]?” And, she/he, too, will come to know that there is no [name of child] apart from his mother and father, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and friends, from the air and food and sky and water, ———————– (name pets and family in child’s life), from the birds and bugs and all of life.

And she/he will also come to know just [name of child] – the unique individual that only she/he herself/himself can be, blossoming as a flower on the one branch. [name of child] – just as she/he is, is perfection. We will honor her/his differences and unique expression, and help him to unfold in her/his own unique way.

We ask, “How shall we bless this child?”

Let’s bless her/him with a smile,

With eyes that can see all living things

And with a heart that can feel all that she/he feels.

Let’s bless her/him with a gentle strength,

With ears that can hear the joys and cries of the world

And a mind that is clear and still.

This child is a new bright dawn.

Her/His name [name of child] means “_________”

Let’s bless her/him with a good memory,

So that she/he may always remember from where she/he comes.

Let’s bless her/him with love, courage, and laughter

That she/he may grow to live fully the length of her/his days.

 

  • Gatha of Atonement (3x)All karma ever committed by me since of oldDue to my beginningless greed, hatred, lust, envy and delusionBorn of my action, speech, and thoughts

    Now I atone for it all.

  • Purification of parents and baby
  • Parents speak wishes for child
  • Offering of flowers by children
  • Chanter:
    • Heart Sutra (with taiko) – 1 x
    • Jizo Shingon Dharani (with taiko) – 21 times
      OM KA KA KABI SAN MA E SO WA KA (repeat 21 times)
    • Dedication:The Buddha turns the Dharma WheelAnd reality is shown in all its many forms

      All suffering beings are liberated and brought to great joy

      We sincerely seek the beneficent guidance of The Three Treasures.

      In reciting the

      Maka Hannya Haramita Heart Sutra, and the

      Jizo Shingon Dharani

      We dedicate its merits to:

      All beings and bodhisattvas in the realm of prajna wisdom

      To the sixteen guardians, and

      To all protectors of the Dharma and their relations

      Throughout all space and time.

      We especially dedicate its merits to [name of child]

      May she/he be blessed with a healthy, long, and fruitful life.

      May her/his parent’s wishes come true

      And the love of the Sangha nurture her/him.

      May the light of the Great Protector of Children Jizo bodhisattva

      Shine upon her/him.

      May she/he grow in harmony with the Three Treasures

      And realize the True Nature.

      May we all ascend to the throne of enlightenment

      And realize the Buddha Way together . . .

      All Buddhas throughout space and time

      All Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas

      Maha Prajna Paramita.

  • Congratulations by Officiant
  • Announcement by Chanter