Buddhist Songs

[Susthama]

We hope that you will enjoy the following songs/hymns.

Angulimala written by Dharmavidya 20.12.1994

Angulimala,
harmless one,
won't you come and save us
now your killing's done?

We've had our fill of greed
that's a fact.
Maybe you could tell us how to
change our act.

Though we're caught in hatred
our hearts are pure;
we'd like to be like you and be
saved for sure.

Deluded minds will lead us
to a bad end;
better change our minds now and be
Buddha's friend.

Angulimala
reformed his mind.
Gotama's gentle smile
made him kind.

Angulimala
dropped his knife
showing us there really is an
end to strife

Angulimala
changed his tack
even though he couldn't put
the fingers back.

His meditation
got the prize.
If he can, we can,
open our eyes.

Angulimala,
come here now.
The world needs peace and
you know how

The world needs peace and
you know how

Please open the file for more Buddhist Hymns

[Clint Davis]

I've written one called "When the patriarchs had a vision". Maybe someone will find it useful.

--Clint

When the patriarchs had a vision
of a buddha formed of light,
whose great vow and firm decision
forged a Name of saving might,
"Hail to Other Pow'r," they cried,
"To Amida's land we fly!"

Thus we praise a lineage sainted,
noble teachers on the Way;
who for those by karma tainted
found a sacred Name to say:
Name that grants auspicious birth!
Name of highest, holiest worth!

Praise to Buddha Amitabha
sanctifying every breath;
Every moment, every Mantra
conqu'ring all our birth and death;
Till at last we go Beyond,
when Enlightenment shall dawn.

[Susthama]

Thank you - namo amida bu - just out of curiosity, did you just come up with this now? brilliant if you did.

Susthama

Clint Davis said:

I've written one called "When the patriarchs had a vision". Maybe someone will find it useful.

--Clint

When the patriarchs had a vision
of a buddha formed of light,
whose great vow and firm decision
forged a Name of saving might,
"Hail to Other Pow'r," they cried,
"To Amida's land we fly!"

Thus we praise a lineage sainted,
noble teachers on the Way;
who for those by karma tainted
found a sacred Name to say:
Name that grants auspicious birth!
Name of highest, holiest worth!

Praise to Buddha Amitabha
sanctifying every breath;
Every moment, every Mantra
conqu'ring all our birth and death;
Till at last we go Beyond,
when Enlightenment shall dawn.

[Clint Davis]

I wrote this about 6 months or so ago, and it's just been sitting on my harddrive. I'm a church musician, so hymns are deep in my blood. Usually once I've gotten some sort of inspiration, I can write a hymn in about 30 min, or at least the first draft of one, then I'll return to it later in the day, or maybe even later in the week to see if it's still as good as it seemed at the time, or if it could be better.

Clint

Susthama said:

Thank you - namo amida bu - just out of curiosity, did you just come up with this now? brilliant if you did.

Susthama

[Susthama]

Yes, I suppose they would be - and what a great blessing to have that in your blood! I'm wondering if you've got music to go with it then?

Clint Davis said:

I wrote this about 6 months or so ago, and it's just been sitting on my harddrive. I'm a church musician, so hymns are deep in my blood. Usually once I've gotten some sort of inspiration, I can write a hymn in about 30 min, or at least the first draft of one, then I'll return to it later in the day, or maybe even later in the week to see if it's still as good as it seemed at the time, or if it could be better.

Clint

Susthama said:

Thank you - namo amida bu - just out of curiosity, did you just come up with this now? brilliant if you did.

Susthama

[Clint Davis]

This hymn was written for the tune "All Saints", which shouldn't be that hard to find in an English hymnal somewhere, usually with the words "Who are these like stars appearing". Or you can listen here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OopABy7E378&feature=related

Notice the first words "When the patriarch was returning" were the direct inspiration for my hymn, but of course I went a totally different direction with it!

[Freya M]

Hi Clint - only recently found Friends of Amida and joined this group, so having a quick look to see what treasures I can find, and your "Patriarchs" was one of them! Dharmavidya has set a number of Pureland songs/hymns to the tunes of Christian well-known hymns and I think it's great because for many of us those tunes do have a spiritual familiarity from the past. At first, when I read yours, I couldn't think of the tune you meant, and instantly found myself singing it to "Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken" with which it seems to fit very well. But then I followed your YouTube link, found that of course I did recognise the tune, so sang it to that! Thank you for brightening up my Monday morning by a bit of a sing! Namo Amida Bu.

[Wendy Haylett]

I love this, Clint. Thank you! I have always loved hymns in the Christian church and this brings me back to that feeling.

Gassho,

Wendy

Clint Davis said:

I've written one called "When the patriarchs had a vision". Maybe someone will find it useful.

--Clint

When the patriarchs had a vision
of a buddha formed of light,
whose great vow and firm decision
forged a Name of saving might,
"Hail to Other Pow'r," they cried,
"To Amida's land we fly!"

Thus we praise a lineage sainted,
noble teachers on the Way;
who for those by karma tainted
found a sacred Name to say:
Name that grants auspicious birth!
Name of highest, holiest worth!

Praise to Buddha Amitabha
sanctifying every breath;
Every moment, every Mantra
conqu'ring all our birth and death;
Till at last we go Beyond,
when Enlightenment shall dawn.