Let Us Receive the Grace of Buddha. What is Sutra Copying?

Let Us Receive the Grace of Buddha.

Sutra copying is receiving the grace of buddha by carefully copying each character of a sutra. Each character of a sutra is said to be the buddha itself.
※Chishakuin Temple hosts a sutra copying get-together on the 21st of every month.

What are Buddha Tracings?

Buddha tracings are receiving the grace of the buddha by carefully tracing the figure and shape of a buddha while imbuing it with your prayers. Artistic talent is not required. The important thing is not the result, but the act of whole-heartedly tracing the various figures of buddha itself.

The Joy of Sutra Copying/Buddha Tracing

By copying sutras and tracing buddhas, we can look into our hearts as we exist in the present and feel a moment of tranquility. Giving yourself that peaceful time away from the everyday will certainly enrich your mind. It is said that sutra copying and buddha tracing are important practices to pray for yourself and to memorialize your ancestors.

After Sutra Copying/Buddha Tracing

Let’s offer the sutra copying and buddha tracing that you do for your own prayers and to honor your ancestors to the temple with your family’s grave, Chishakuin Temple, or any temple that you visit during your spiritual journey, pilgrimage, or group tour. This will increase the merit gained from each sutra-copying/buddha-tracing.

Understanding the Sutra-Copying/Buddha-Tracing Process

	Sutra Copying		Buddha Tracing
Preparation
	Choose a quiet place and prepare your tools.
Religious Service
	Purify yourself, put your hands together and pray. Perform a scripture reading service, chanting sutras. (This picture is “Chisan Religious Service Style”)
Copying Sutras/Buddha Tracing
	Once you have calmed your emotions, begin the copying of the sutra/tracing of the buddha. For the sutra copying, draw each character carefully one by one, and for the buddha tracing, move the sheet around as needed to make it easier to draw the lines.
Your Wish
	Lastly, please write your petition (wish) as well as the date, your name, and “humbly transcribed” (or “sincerely yours”), etc. When you are finished, put your hands together and pray. There are many petitions such as peace and prosperity in the household​, peace and safety for oneself, avoiding calamity and accident, recovery from illness, realization of one’s desires, academic success, world peace, and honoring your ancestors.
Votive Offering
	You can offer the sutra copying or buddha tracing that you do for your own prayers or to honor your ancestors to the temple with your family’s grave, Chishakuin Temple, or any temple that you visit during your spiritual journey, pilgrimage, or group tour. By giving it as an offering you can connect with the principal buddha of the temple, forming a bond with them.

Experiencing Sutra Copying/Buddha Tracing

First download the trial version of the Sutra copying form/buddha tracing form and try it out for yourself.

After that, when you finish your drawing/tracing, you can make it an offering by contacting Chishakuin Temple.