How to Bring Heaven to Earth

You will notice that throughout these readings from the Buddhist scriptures, there is mostly practical instruction on how to be free of suffering, and what that looks like.

There is very little in the way of prayer. This is because the Buddha's teachings do not focus on God, teachings about God, or how to pray. Buddha lived during a time when there was a lot of ritualistic dead orthodoxy on one hand, with many superstitions attached to Hinduism as it was practiced in his time; and on the other hand endless speculative metaphysical argument about the existence and nature of God or the gods, the soul, heavens and hells, etc. Buddha was interested only in what would help people escape suffering, and he refused to be drawn into theological debates or discussions. For those who need and want a very personal sense of communion with a personal God, Buddhist teaching leaves something to be desired. For those who are more comfortable with an impersonal, non theological, practical spirituality, Buddhism fits the bill.

That said, I want to end the readings from the ancient Buddhist scriptures with one from the Sutta Nipata, said to be one of the earliest ones in the Pali canon. To me, it sounds prayerful, and it is so profound and powerful I have learned it by heart, and recommend that to you as well. Here it is:

May all beings be filled with joy and peace.

May all beings everywhere,

the strong and the weak,

the great and the small,

the powerless and powerful,

the short and the long,

the subtle and the gross:

May all beings everywhere

seen and unseen,

dwelling far off or nearby,

being or waiting to become:

May all be filled with lasting joy.

Let no one deceive another,

Let no one anywhere despise another,

Let no one out of anger or resentment

Wish suffering on anyone at all.

Just as a mother with her own life

protects her child, her only child, from harm,

so within yourself let grow

a boundless love for all creatures.

Let your love flow outward through the universe,

to its height, its depth, its broad extent,

a limitless love, without hatred or enmity.

Then, as you stand or walk,

sit or lie down,

as long as you are awake,

strive for this with a one-pointed mind;

Your life will bring heaven to earth.

All I can add to these beautiful words is: AMEN