We Pray
from many spiritual traditions, I find inspiration and hope. From my own Quaker tradition, the words of this Buddhist prayer/poem resonate in me, reminding me that service without action is just a thought.
By reaching out my hand to another, change begins.
You’ve Got the Power!
—–
WE PRAY
with the intention to attain
the ultimate supreme goal
that surpasses even the wish granting jewel
may i constantly cherish all living beings
whenever i associate with others
may i view myself as the lowest of all
and with a perfect intention
may i cherish others as supreme
examining my mental continuum
throughout all my actions
as soon as a delusion develops
whereby i or others would act inappropriately
may i firmly face it and avert it
whenever i see unfortunate beings
opressed by evil and violent suffering
may i cherish them as if i had found
a rare and precious treasure
even if someone i have helped
and of whom i had great hopes
nevertheless harms me withot any reason
may i see him as my holy spiritual guide
when others out of jealousy
harm me or insult me
may i take the defeat upon myself
and offer them the victory
in short - may i directly and indirectly
offer help and happiness to all my mothers
and secretly take upon myself
all of their harm and suffering
furthermore, through all these method practices
together with a mind
undefiled by the stains of conceptions
of the eight extremes
and that sees all phenomena as illusory
may i be released from the bondage
of mistaken appearance and conception