Songs & Notes

Chan Master Hsuan Hua
(1916 - 1995)

The late Chan Master Hsuan Hua said to Rev. Heng Sure, “When you speak Dharma you have to accord with peoples’ potentials. This is America, not China. Here you must use whatever skills you have to explain true principles. Don’t just imitate me or you’ll be out of touch with your own culture and time. Use your own wisdom and do whatever works to inspire people to make the resolve for Bodhi!

Playing guitar could be a useful skill for a monk in America if you use it to help people bring forth faith in their potential for wisdom and awakening. Try your best!”

Ageless Wisdom, American Music
(for song lyrics, notes and 30 secs preview, please click the song links)

 1. Craving Is the Builder of This House (3:10)
 2. Yashodara (4:44)
 3. Cause & Effect, or Here Comes Karma Now (4:11)
 4. Turn, Return and Turn Again (3:06)
 5. Another One Done Gone (3:11)
 6. American Beef Cow (3:36)
 7. Death Parade (1:34)
 8. Ballad of Earth Store (5:08)
 9. VegSource Mantra (I Have Enough) (1:45)
10. What Ya Gonna Do? (4:37)
11. When You Wake Up (4:03)
12. It's Called the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas (3:51)
13. Weapons of Earth (3:52)
14. Samadhi Shoes (4:04)
15. Dedication of Merit (2:38)


download complete PDF file of songs and notes

Instruments

Rev. Heng Sure
Vocals: (Tracks 1-15)
1998 Alberico OM cutaway guitar (Tracks 2, 4, 10, 14)
1995 Taylor LKSM 12-string guitar (Tracks 9, 12, 15)
Henry Kaiser’s 1898 Howe-Orme high-strung parlor guitar (Track 1)

Josh Michaell
Gourd Banjo (Track 5)
Santa Cruz H13 walnut guitar (Tracks 8, 13)
Vocals (Tracks 4, 5, 7)

Paul Hostetter
Taylor LKSM 12 string guitar (Tracks 3, 6, 11)
1920 Gibson A-4 mandolin (Track 8)

Robin Petrie
Hammered Dulcimer (Tracks 11, 13, 8)

Alan Senauke
1977 Martin OM-18 guitar (Track 2, 9, 10)
1971 Givens mandolin (Track 3)
Vocals (Tracks 4, 5, 7, 13)

Brian Godchaux
Violin (Tracks 2, 5, 6, 13, 14)
Vocals (Tracks 4, 5, 7)

For more information, please meditate.