.
Life isn’t just about darkness or light, rather it’s about finding light within the darkness.
Landon Parham
As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way.
Mary Anne Radmacher
Photo by Woodland Gnome 2014
Lord, thou knowest better than myself
that I am growing older and will soon be old.
Keep me from becoming too talkative,
and especially from the unfortunate habit
of thinking that I must say something
on every subject and at every opportunity.
Release me from the idea
that I must straighten out other peoples’ affairs.
With my immense treasure of experience and wisdom,
it seems a pity not to let everybody partake of it.
But thou knowest, Lord,
that in the end I will need a few friends.
Keep me from the recital of endless details;
give me wings to get to the point.
Grant me the patience
to listen to the complaints of others;
help me to endure them with charity.
But seal my lips on my own aches and pains —
they increase with the increasing years
and my inclination to recount them is also increasing.
I will not ask thee for improved memory,
only for a little more humility
and less self-assurance
when my own memory doesn’t agree with that of others.
Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be wrong.
Keep me reasonably gentle.
I do not have the ambition to become a saint –
– it is so hard to live with some of them –
– but a harsh old person is one of the devil’s masterpieces.
Make me sympathetic without being sentimental,
helpful but not bossy.
Let me discover merits where I had not expected them,
and talents in people whom I had not thought to possess any.
And, Lord, give me the grace to tell them so.
Amen
Margot Benary-Isbert
Photo by Woodland Gnome
Embracing Tao, you become embraced.
Supple, breathing gently, you become reborn.
Clearing your vision, you become clear.
Nurturing your beloved, you become impartial.
Opening your heart, you become accepted.
Accepting the World, you embrace Tao.
Bearing and nurturing,
Creating but not owning,
Giving without demanding,
Controlling without authority,
This is love.
Lao Tse
Photo by Woodland Gnome 2014
In my heart, I feel deep gratefulness
All my heart is filled with sincere prayer
From all corners of the world
Let us join our hearts and pray
For a world of harmony and peace
In my heart, I feel deep gratefulness
May all the Buddhas hear my prayer
All united with one heart
Let us end our hate with love
May there be no suffering year after year
From my heart, I pray
May we join our hands, our hearts as one
Spread the seeds of Great Love
Nurture wisdom evermore
Let us fill the world with hope
In my heart, I feel deep gratefulness
May all the Buddhas know my prayer
All united with on heart
Let us end our hate with love
May there be no suffering year after year.
Let’s make an aspiration together:
“May there be no suffering year after year.”
A Tzu Chi Prayer Song
Photo by Woodland Gnome 2013
re blogged from: LIJIUN
(Please visit Li Jiun’s original page to see the wonderful photo of the Buddha at sunrise)