Pearls of Wisdom - Prayers for Engaged Living 佛光祈願文
INTRODUCTION
Among the many offerings that Buddhist make to the Buddha are incense, flowers, candles, and fruits. We make these offerings out of respect to the Buddha, not because the Buddha demands such offerings or because we expect to be rewarded by the Buddha for our offerings. We also offer ourselves when we bow and prostrate before the Buddha. To this list of offerings we may also add our words in the form of prayers to the Great Compassionate Buddha.
On the path towards enlightenment we will receive help from many sources, and prayer or praise offerings will play a major role for many practitioners. It is hoped these special prayers by Venerable Master Hsing Yun will take the reader far along the path towards enlightenment.
By Venerable Master Hsing Yun
Founding Master of Fo Guang Shan
At midday on March 28th,
a powerful earthquake struck the regions of Myanmar and Thailand.
O Great, Compassionate Buddha!
Did you hear the cries of those engulfed in suffering?
Did you see the pain of families torn apart?
O Great, Compassionate Buddha!
these are the anguished wails of a living hell,
the echoes of disaster resounding through the Saha world.
O Great, Compassionate Buddha!
There—mountains crumbled, the earth split open;
there—homes collapsed, lives were lost in an instant.
So many remain trapped in danger, gripped by fear day and night.
So many cry out for help, unable to escape their peril.
In the blink of an eye, families were separated,
their loved ones lost forever.
In a single moment, homes were destroyed,
possessions vanished without a trace.
How desperately they need rescuers to reach them in time!
How earnestly they long for your blessings and protection!
Some have perished—may they be guided in peace.
Some are injured—may they find healing and strength.
O Great, Compassionate Buddha!
We pray for your boundless grace:
Grant the survivors relief from calamity, and restoration of health.
Guide the departed to rebirth in your Pure Land,
Rising to the highest of the nine lotus grades of rebirth.
Please help them awaken to this truth:
Worldly homes and possessions arise and pass away,
but the true nature within endures eternally.
Please help them understand:
Even the dearest of loved ones must part in life and death—
only enlightenment and liberation offer lasting refuge.
Great, Compassionate Buddha!
Bless those who have survived this disaster.
Grant them the strength to rebuild their lives.
Let them know: To live is to have hope.
Let them see: To survive is to possess great power.
Please bless them with peace,
that their bodies and minds may heal from the trauma;
that their sorrow may gradually be transformed into peace and clarity.
Let them realize:
Only through rising with courage and rebuilding with resolve
can the departed be truly honored,
and can the living find their path forward with purpose.
We also pray:
May this calamity not spread further.
May such tragedies never occur again.
May you bless all people,
so that in times of safety, we remain vigilant;
so that through cooperation and mutual support,
we may together prevent future harm.
O Great, Compassionate Buddha!
Please receive this, our most sincere and heartfelt prayer.
Please receive this, our most sincere and heartfelt prayer.
NOTE:
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