The daily practice
One cup of water, one stick of incense, three recitations. Morning and evening. Length is not the point; continuity is.
Morning
After washing, before the day starts
- 1
Offer water
Place the offering cup before the image and fill it with clean drinking water, about two-thirds full.
It should be water you would drink yourself — not straight from the tap.
- 2
Light one stick of incense
Set it straight in the holder.
One stick is enough. The incense is a signal, not fuel.
- 3
Recite the name three times
Silently or aloud:
Namo Mahāpranidhāna Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva (three times)
- 4
Dedicate the merit
Then say:
Disciple ○○○: I dedicate the merit of offering to Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva throughout the ten directions. I ask the Bodhisattva's compassionate power to uphold this disciple — peace of body and mind, and success in work.
- 5
Three more recitations
Namo Mahāpranidhāna Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva (three times)
The morning practice is complete.
Evening
Before sleep
- 1
Kneel
Kneel before the image (sitting is fine if kneeling is difficult), palms together.
- 2
Light one stick of incense
One stick.
- 3
Dedicate
Silently or aloud:
Disciple ○○○: I dedicate the merit of reciting the Bodhisattva's name to all beings throughout the ten directions. I ask the Bodhisattva's compassionate power to uphold this disciple — peace of body and mind, and success in work.
The dedication (can be read aloud)
Disciple ○○○: I dedicate the merit of offering to Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva throughout the ten directions. I ask the Bodhisattva's compassionate power to uphold this disciple — peace of body and mind, and success in work.
Practical notes
- The water you remove may be poured on plants, or into another cup and drunk. Do not pour it down the drain.
- Only light incense when someone is present. Check it is out before leaving or sleeping; do not let ash accumulate.
- Keep the offering cup for this purpose only; wash it once a week.
- Facing south is traditional; if the room does not allow it, do not force it. Direction is a support, not a condition.
- A thousand recitations a day can be split up: walking, waiting, before sleep. A mala makes counting easy.
- If you miss a day, do not make it up and do not reproach yourself. Offer again the next morning.