By Venerable Master Hsing Yun
Founder of Fo Guang Shan
Oh great, compassionate Buddha!
It is said,
“Trees wish for stillness yet fierce winds do not cease;
“Children wish to support their parents yet their parents are no longer around.”
Of the senior members of my family,
Some have departed from this world,
Some are still in good health;
However, we feel ashamed and remorseful
That we have not given enough devotion and support to them.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha!
Since we were born,
Our parents have raised and educated us,
Our relatives have supported us;
We have received so much from them
But seldom repay their kindness.
They gave us joy when we cried,
They gave us encouragement when we were disappointed,
They gave us comfort when we suffered setbacks
They have given us so much love and kindness,
They have given us so much tenderness and thoughtfulness,
And yet we hardly ever repay them.
Oh Buddha!
You once carried the coffin for your father,
You also once traveled afar in order to teach Dharma to your mother.
As your disciples,
We have not been following your teachings.
Please grant us faith and strength;
We wish to bring honor to our family,
We wish to guide our relatives;
Please bless and protect our parents and relatives;
May they enjoy happiness, longevity, good health, and peaceful lives,
May they be safe and at ease.
If we have honor, we wish to share it with them;
If we have wealth, we wish them also to be free from need.
Allow us to be able to share the burdens
Of our parents and teachers;
Allow us to be able to endure the sufferings
Of our close relatives and friends for them.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
Please accept my sincerest prayer.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
Please accept my sincerest prayer.
(Excerpted from “A Prayer for Our Parents, Relatives, and Friends (為父母親友祈願文)” from Pearls of Wisdom: Prayers for Engaged Living Ii by Venerable Master Hsing Yun)