By Venerable Master Hsing Yun
Founder of Fo Guang Shan
Oh great, compassionate Buddha!
The day is gone,
Today has passed:
Although I am unable to stop the course of time,
I pray to you, Buddha,
To allow me to realize the true meaning of impermanence;
Although I am unable to follow the footsteps of the sunrise and sunset,
I pray to you, Buddha,
To allow me to see the value of life clearly.
In the day that has just passed,
I had ceaseless delusions and ignorance;
I had ceaseless worries and restlessness.
But relying on your kindness and compassion,
Your wisdom and guidance,
I passed the day in complete safety.
From today on, may I be:
Like bridges and roads,
That extend good causes and good conditions to the world;
Like spring water and rainfall,
That wash away the affliction and exhaustion of all sentient beings;
Like the noble trees in the forest,
That provide coolness and ease to all beings;
Like the sun, the moon, and the stars,
That shines upon those who have taken the wrong path.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha!
The day has passed.
On such a night,
I can feel how quickly life and time have gone by;
Just like a fish in shallow water,
I know the time is short;
I cannot help feeling the impermanence of life.
I can only pray to you,
Great Buddha:
May I be magnanimous and forgive my enemies who have mistreated me;
May I be grateful mind and repay my friends who have helped me;
May I have prajna wisdom to reflect upon my own shortcomings;
May I be diligent and carry out your compassionate teachings.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha!
Thank you for your teaching and guidance:
So that I could abandon the swords of hatred and vengeance,
And enjoy the refreshing happiness of Dharma joy;
So that I could remove the shackles of attachment
And liberate my body and mind.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha!
Today is gone and my life is one day shorter.
I pray for your blessing.
From today on, may I be without
Fear, delusion, worries, and nightmares.
Relying on the support of your great power:
May I rise and retire with you
And enjoy boundless happiness;
May I find true self
And have eternal life.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
Please accept my sincerest prayer!
Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
Please accept my sincerest prayer!
(Excerpted from “A Prayer Before Retiring for the Day (睡前祈願文)” from Pearls of Wisdom: Prayers for Engaged Living I by Venerable Master Hsing Yun)