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On the egg shape the dry vase is to the north, symbolically furthest from the congregation but with immediate access, the incense container to the east, the unlit chalice to the south and the filled water container to the north. Each person places a flower into the vase. Other candles and the bell are separate.
Dhammapada
Hear what the Buddhist Dhammapada, The Path of Virtue, says about humanity:
Like a beautiful flower, full of colour but without scent, are the well spoken but fruitless words of one who does not act.
But like a beautiful flower full of colour and full of scent are the well spoken and fruitful words of one who acts.
As many kinds of garlands can be made from a heap of flowers, so many good works should be achieved by a mortal once born.
The scent of flowers does not travel against the wind, nor that of sandalwood, nor of tagara and malika flowers, but the fragrance of good people travels even against the wind. A good person pervades every quarter.
Dhammapada, Chap. 4 vv. 51-54, non-sexist.
We respond to these words and hope our thoughts and actions are such that their fragrance even travels against the wind.
The Flower Communion
The flower communion states that in the world there is both death and life, hiddenness and regeneration, and that this is an unfailing process. We are part of the living earth, and seek for the sky, and in so doing affirm a continuing hope - as does all life. In our sphere of religion and in our contemplation we affirm the wider context of our lives.
Let us pray. We embrace communion, trusting not in righteousness but in humble spirit. In receiving the flower we give and receive ourselves; in seeing its life and beauty we rejoice in the knowledge that despite suffering there is the possibility of new life and new hope. Our ceremony in this temple space is a symbol of community, sharing together to go out and pass its gift to the wider world. Ring the bell.
The green seasons were past, the cold winds came, the hard times were here and the spirit waned into hibernation. In the course of the hard weather of life our hearts decline just as flowers depart underground. Like their roots, hope is out of sight.
Water is poured from the container into the flower bowl.
But after death regeneration comes where from the underground of hell comes the emergence into heaven of new shoots. This is the act of life. The green emerges, the warm returns, and the spirit rises. May the strength of the old now create in us the new, the stillness of the past becomimg the activity of the present, with joy and new life.
Ring the bell.
The leader takes the flowers to the people and hands out one to each person in silence, or each person comes in a line with others to collect a flower in silence.
Afterwards:
Let us pray:
Here in this place we have created a place of sacred reverence for life where the ancient ways met the new ways through the power of nature.
We express thanks for this communion, for its offering of that which we see for the unseen things of the spirit, and for the assurances contained therein, which have given sustenance to the body, mind and spirit. Amen.
Bread and Wine Communion
Candles are lit to either side of the table. Unlit incense is in a container to the east, an unlit candle is to the south, wine is in a goblet to the west and the bread is on a container to the north. An unlit chalice is on a separate small table.
Opening Words
Let us look into our own hearts, note our desires and secrets, so that we may cleanse our ways for the renewal of all our lives as we come to this service of spiritual communion. Amen.
Entering Communion
We take part in this communion, trusting not in our own righteousness but in humble spirit. In feeling the warmth and seeing the light of the chalice and candles and in smelling the rising incense, in eating the bread and drinking the wine, we engage in a voluntary act beyond the supernatural and beyond all superstition. We intend our ceremony of consecration to be a symbol of community, sharing together to go out and pass its gift to the wider world. Amen.
The example, love and wisdom that was in Jesus was also made known by the service and sacrifice of others. For we believe in many Kingdoms of God, and proclaim these values. And when they are shown right by their substance and fruits, then we shall know that true sacrifice is a noble act for the betterment of the wider world.
Lord's Prayer Devotion
O call of good in all things, reigning for ever and ever:
Hallowed be your name.
The will of the future, the world to come, the liberty all seek for rights and responsibilities together in their fullness:
Thy kingdom come.
Our opposition to poverty, our siding with the suffering, the need for full stomachs and a meaningful life of creativity:
Give ourselves this day our daily bread.
We were born weak and remain easily able to do what is wrong, easily able to produce impatience and wrongful temper:
Let us avoid trial, temptation and evil.
Let us instead build our ideals and rise to the highest we know, the highest we can, and shine a torch of human potential and worth:
For the Kingdom, power and glory are there for all. Amen.
Preparing the Elements
Holding the incense the communicant says:
Blessed is the creation.
It symbolises the element of air.
Holding the chalice the communicant says:
Blessed is the creation.
It symbolises the element of fire.
Holding the plate of bread the communicant says:
Blessed is the creation.
We have this bread to offer and consume, which earth has given and human hands have made.
It symbolises the element of earth, the body of life and our material world.
Holding the cup of wine the communicant says:
Blessed is the creation.
We have this wine to offer and consume, which earth has given and human hands have made.
It symbolises the element of water, the movement of life and the energy of space.
Hear what the Gospel of Mark says:
During supper he took bread, and having said the blessing he broke it and gave it to them, with these words, "Take this; this is my body." Then he took a cup, and having offered thanks to God he gave it to them; and they all drank from it. And he said, "This is my blood of the new covenant, shed for many. I tell you this: never again shall I drink from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the Kingdom of God."
New English Bible, Mark 14, vv. 22-25
As we smell the air, may all people have a clear mind to see the future;
As we feel the fire, may all people feel the passion that leads to commitment;
As this wine came forth from the fruit of the vine, so may we all be fruitful of a loving fellowship.
and as we take this bread of wholeness in our unity may all people of every nation and race and creed be gathered together into one concord;
The Communion Prayer
Let us raise the quality of our hearts.
We raise our feelings high.
Let us appreciate all life.
Life is worthy of response and praise.
Our earth is but a small part of the universe, our lives but a small part of the world. But the energy of all life is everywhere, all bound together in a material body of conflict, harmony, sacrifice and love.
Let us shake hands with one another and offer a sign of peace. Each should say Peace be with you! or a similar saying. All then come forward.
The Communion
Smell with me this incense, wafting with the air.
Feel the warmth and see the light of the chalice and all the candles around.
Receive the bread of life. [This is given.]
Receive the cup of fellowship. [This is given.]
Each communicant may also say "receive the bread of life" and "receive the cup of fellowship" if serving his/her neighbour.
We are thankful for this communion, for its offering of that which we see, for the unseen things of the spirit, and for the assurances contained therein, which have given sustenance to the body, mind and spirit. Amen.
The Thanksgiving
Let us pray:
We feel thanks for the being of these four symbolic elements of creation, and the consumption of our spiritual food and drink. It is our privilege to stand within and be part of the changing, swirling, progressing environment of life which we have celebrated here today.
The Blessing
Let us stand for the blessing:
Now may all in heaven and earth
keep us in love and enablement;
To be united, comforted and built more and more
for praise and rejoicing.
Amen.
Go in peace, the communion is ended.