By Venerable Master Hsing Yun
Founder of Fo Guang Shan
Oh great, compassionate Buddha!
Please listen to our prayer:
In this world,
There are many people of great wisdom, kindness, and courage.
For the benefit of all humankind,
Some search the deep seas for treasure;
Some roam in the desert for energy resources;
Some unearth ancient remains in the wilderness;
Some search the mountains for potential discoveries.
For the welfare of the masses of society,
They risk their lives, only to search for more resources.
However, Buddha!
Among those great explorers:
Some have lost their lives exploring the deep seas;
Some have died in the vast deserts;
Some have been killed by wild beasts;
Some have fallen victim to hazardous mountains and cliffs.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
We pray that explorers,
In their difficult journeys of exploration,
May be able to attain great achievement
And return home safely.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha!
We pray to you:
May these explorers be able to return home safely;
May these explorers be able to reunite with their families.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha!
In the presence of these great explorers,
We indeed feel humble.
We are only busy with our own survival,
As insignificant as ants in a cave.
We exist only for our own lives,
As short-sighted as a frog in a well.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha!
We pray before you:
May we never flinch when experiencing peril;
May we never be disheartened when encountering hardship.
May we be as courageous at every moment
As these explorers in their expeditions;
May we be as brave
As these explorers during their experiences.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
Please accept our sincerest prayer!
Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
Please accept our sincerest prayer!
(Excerpted from “A Prayer for Explorers (為探險者祈願文)” from Pearls of Wisdom: Prayers for Engaged Living II by Venerable Master Hsing Yun)