Last week I shared a prayer on Facebook that got a huge response. I found it while preparing for two funerals, both of people I did not know. In one case I had not even talked to the family ahead of time, everything being arranged through the Funeral Home (also the reason there was no blog last week, no spoons left).
Because of the response I thought I would share it here. It is so perfect, so Gospel centric, I think it quite profound. The amazing thing, although perhaps not, is that it is Buddhist.
“May all beings everywhere plagued with sufferings of body and mind quickly be freed from their illnesses. May those frightened cease to be afraid, and may those bound be free. May the powerless find power, and may people think of befriending one another May those who find themselves in trackless, fearful wilderness – the children, the aged, the unprotected – be guarded by beneficial celestials, and may they swiftly attain Buddhahood.”
I only have to change the one word from Buddhahood to “Salvation” and it is perfect.
This should be our prayer, not just at Christmas but all the time. This should be our focus. This should be what our lives are about. Relieve the suffering. Calm the frightened. Release the captives. Given power to the powerless. Make friends. Find the lost.
These things are Good, and only Evil would say otherwise.