After we admired the mandala and other works of Buddhist art including amazing sculptures the monk gathered all who wanted to participate in a meditation upstairs. It was truly a beautiful meditation for peace and happiness for all. What I found extremely uplifting was a prayer that he offered at the end of the meditation. It was a prayer that I had given copies of to my students this week and that I had prayed before my family's Thanksgiving meal this past year.
I share it with all of you tonight.
May all beings everywhere
Plagued by sufferings of body
and mind
Obtain an ocean of happiness and joy
By virtue of my merits.
Obtain an ocean of happiness and joy
By virtue of my merits.
May no living creature suffer,
Commit evil, or ever fall ill.
May no one be afraid or belittled,
With a mind weighed down by depression.
Commit evil, or ever fall ill.
May no one be afraid or belittled,
With a mind weighed down by depression.
May the blind see forms
And the deaf hear sounds,
May those whose bodies are worn with toil
Be restored on finding repose.
And the deaf hear sounds,
May those whose bodies are worn with toil
Be restored on finding repose.
May the naked find clothing,
The hungry find food;
May the thirsty find water
And delicious drinks.
The hungry find food;
May the thirsty find water
And delicious drinks.
May the poor find wealth,
Those weak with sorrow find joy;
May the forlorn find hope,
Constant happiness, and prosperity.
Those weak with sorrow find joy;
May the forlorn find hope,
Constant happiness, and prosperity.
May there be timely rains
And bountiful harvests;
May all medicines be effective
And wholesome prayers bear fruit.
And bountiful harvests;
May all medicines be effective
And wholesome prayers bear fruit.
May all who are sick and ill
Quickly be freed from their ailments.
Whatever diseases there are in the world,
May they never occur again.
Quickly be freed from their ailments.
Whatever diseases there are in the world,
May they never occur again.
May the frightened cease to be
afraid
And those bound be freed;
May the powerless find power,
And may people think of benefiting each other.
And those bound be freed;
May the powerless find power,
And may people think of benefiting each other.
For as long as space remains,
For as long as sentient beings remain,
Until then may I too remain
To dispel the miseries of the world.”
For as long as sentient beings remain,
Until then may I too remain
To dispel the miseries of the world.”
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Those San Mandala creations are incredible. You're very lucky to have been there in person. Beautiful prayer.
ReplyDeleteHave a peaceful week.
Hugs, Julia