Bodhisattva Prayer for Humanity
May I be a guard for those who need protection
A guide for those on the path
A boat, a raft, a bridge for those who wish to cross the flood
May I be a lamp in the darkness
A resting place for the weary
A healing medicine for all who are sick
A vase of plenty, a tree of miracles
And for the boundless multitudes of living beings
May I bring sustenance and awakening
Enduring like the earth and sky
Until all beings are freed from sorrow
And all are awakened.
– Shantideva, Indian Buddhist sage 700 A.D.
This prayer has been around for over 1300 years, but I only discovered it this week. The Dalai Lama recites this prayer each morning as part of his morning practice. I plan to start doing the same.
When I read it for the first time, it moved me deeply. It was like a bolt of compassion shot through my body and landed in my heart, blasting it wide open with a feeling of deep connection to everyone and everything. I shared this prayer with my meditation group this week, and everyone wanted a copy. There’s something about the deep compassion of it, the enduring hope, and the brotherhood/sisterhood of it that speaks to people. It brings forth the connection we all have to one another. It makes that connection real and speaks to our own journey, and to the fact that we all need help from each other along the way. We are all marching toward awakening, each at our own pace and each in our own way.
I have enduring compassion for your journey. Please know that we are all here for you, rooting for you along the way as each of us strives toward our own awakening.