By Venerable Master Hsing Yun
Founder of Fo Guang Shan
Oh great, compassionate Buddha!
The younger generation are the future leaders of our country,
They are the pillars of our nation.
Their behavior will affect the rise and fall of our nation;
Their conduct and morality will determine the security or danger of our nation.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha!
We pray to you,
May they grow out of their bad habits and achieve sound character;
May they wake up from their ignorant, confused fantasies and seek the real meaning of life;
May they repent their desires and find the inner treasure;
May they realize their true Buddha Nature soon and enjoy boundless happiness.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha!
Please guide those who are lost
Please heal those who have fallen
Please teach those who are reckless
Please help those who are stubborn
Oh great, compassionate Buddha!
Parents undergo many hardship for their children,
Teachers work diligently and tirelessly for their pupils’ education;
While youths enjoy the results achieved by society and blessings from their families.
But,
What is their contribution to society?
How do they recompense their parents?
We hope they can appreciate
The value of every thread and needle
We hope they can understand
And that every meal does not come easily.
Please bless and support them:
May they be able to develop a mind of gratitude;
May they be able to cultivate the virtue of humbleness.
Oh great compassionate Buddha!
Please inspire our youth to turn back,
Please encourage our youth to be self-aware.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
Please accept our sincerest prayer!
Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
Please accept our sincerest prayer!
Namo Sakyamuni Buddha.
(Excerpted from “A Prayer for Youths (規勸青少年祈願文)” from Pearls of Wisdom: Prayers for Engaged Living I by Venerable Master Hsing Yun)