By Venerable Master Hsing Yun
Founder of Fo Guang Shan
Oh great, compassionate Buddha!
Oh merciful, compassionate Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva!
We are here to inform you
That many have fallen sick due to the coronavirus pandemic,
And they are longing for your blessing, support, and protection.
We realize that:
Gains and losses in the world are the effect of causes,
And that hardship and happiness in life are the results of past conditions.
We hope that the sick will obtain blessings and be alleviated from suffering.
With great sincerity, we wish to dedicate our hearts on their behalf,
To prostrate, pay homage, and to repent to you.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha!
Oh merciful, compassionate Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva!
We pray to you, with your awe-inspiring power:
To bless and protect the sick,
To eliminate the karmic hindrances which have accumulated since unknown times,
To alleviate their pain, which arises from the inharmonious workings of the body.
May their physical bodies be free from the shackles of ill health;
May their spirits remain in an optimistic state.
We pray that you bless and support them
With wisdom and spiritual power;
May they develop the faith to face the future;
May they find the strength to strive upwards;
May they realize the Dharma body
Is without sickness or worry;
May they understand that the true mind
Is without any afflictions.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha!
Oh merciful, compassionate Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva!
We have learned from your teachings:
That everything has its causes and conditions and its effects;
Although the body is ill,
We should not blame all faults and wrongs on others;
We should not feel remorseful and angry, or pity ourselves;
Although the mind is suffering,
We still must remain perfectly willing to be friends with illness.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha!
We are here to sincerely pray to you again.
Please kindly bless and protect those who have fallen sick,
May their bodies be in good condition;
May they mentally and physically be in a state of peace and good health;
From now on:
May they feel the joy of your teachings;
May they receive attention from family members;
May they receive blessings from friends;
May they attain relaxation and peace;
May their bodies have a speedy recovery;
May their state of mind be at peace and at ease;
May their lives have less trouble and fewer worries;
May their families be harmonious and content.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
Oh merciful, compassionate Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva,
Please accept our sincerest prayer!
Please accept our sincerest prayer!
(Excerpted from “A Prayer for the Sick (探病祈願文)” from Pearls of Wisdom: Prayers for Engaged Living I by Venerable Master Hsing Yun)