The Five Distinguished Prayers
The prayer of Maitreya (The Loving One) is known by the name “The King of Prayers of the Noble Maitreya”. The Exalted One imparted this prayer to Ananda saying: “First, while training in the conduct of enlightened ones (bodhisattva), you must chant this King of Prayers of the Noble Maitreya three times during the day and three times during the night.” The Prayer of the Bodhicaryavatara (The Introduction to the Enlightened Conduct) was written by Shantideva, an heir of the Victor (the Buddha). It is an extract from the tenth chapter of the Bodhicaryavatara, entitled “The Dedication”. The Prayer of Amitabha (The One of Measureless Light) was composed by the fifth incarnation of the Karmapa, a bliss-gone-one, and carries great blessings. The Prayer of Mahamudra (The Great Seal) was composed by the third incarnation of the Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje. In a general sense these five distinguished prayers
are dedications as they authentically embody the coming together of
all conducive circumstances, and they are prayers as they authentically
embody the ambition to attain the result. That being so, if one has
not entered the path as a child of these dedications and prayers, one’s
accumulated roots of virtue will remain ineffectual. Also, the Bodhicaryavatara
says: “Even a thousand aeons worth of accumulated roots of virtue
will be defeated by just one moment’s fit of anger.” Therefore,
in order for the roots of virtue of oneself and all other sentient beings
not to go to waste one should conclude with these dedications. Thus,
if one dedicates in this manner and tries to live up to these ideals,
or if one requests someone else to do it, the welfare of oneself and
all other sentient beings will be fulfilled. One will have a truly meaningful
human life. written by Lama Tenzin & translated by Frederik
|