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54 EASTERN HORIZON | TEACHINGS

The Oxford Learners Dictionary explained that companions, having through their own experience,
“prayers are words that you say to God giving thanks realized their respective level of the path. The Buddha
or asking for help.” How would a Buddhist define is quoted as having said, “I have shown you the path
prayer then since we do not have a concept of a God to liberation, but know that its achievement depends
in Buddhism? on you.” So, you see, prayer in the Buddhist context is
not merely mouthing words in recitation of verses. Nor
Aggacitta: Buddhism may not have the concept of is it asking to be given inner qualities without making
an almighty creator God, but it nevertheless admits effort oneself. Rather, it is the full engagement of one’s
to a hierarchy of devas. Therefore if we follow the body, speech and mind, in order to move the mind in the
commentarial attitude, the above definition of prayer direction of virtuous transformation, as pointed out by
can therefore still hold by the mere substitution of “a Buddha.
deva/s” for God.
When Buddhists visit temples, they usually bow to
Min Wei: Originally, dictionaries define prayer as a the Buddha image, make some aspirations and do
request for help or expression of gratitude directed to some chanting. If this is not considered praying,
God or saints. Prayer is the central devotional activity of what is their purpose?
many religions.
Aggacitta: This can certainly be considered praying if
In Buddhism, prayer is not simply addressed to an the intent is meant to be so. In fact, many traditional
external being. Prayer is an organized way of changing Buddhists do this very often, believing that the Buddha
the mind. By repeating good thoughts, sincerely from is a very powerful deva (par excellence) who can
the depths of our heart, over and over again, they compassionately grant wishes and offer protection
become habitual ways of thinking. In the end, the way in times of danger. I would think such a phenomena
one reacts to life’s situations will be made very different, is the natural outcome of “folk” Buddhism, i.e. when
just through constant prayer. Buddhism becomes embedded in the culture of a society
and its lofty ideals lie buried under multiple layers of
However, most Buddhist don’t pray to a divine authority, rites, rituals and superstitions.
Creator God or for anything. Yet, Buddhist practitioners
turn their attention to let go of everything. Theoretically, the Buddha image is merely meant to
symbolize the historical existence of a perfectly self-
Dadul: Surely, when the term ‘prayer’ is used in the awakened being who rediscovered and taught us
context of approaching an almighty God in giving thanks the sublime Dhamma. When Buddhists come to its
for a favor received or in asking for help in the future, presence, it is supposed to inspire faith and evoke
then of course, Buddhists could not be spoken of as feelings of gratitude for His sublime teachings, respect
‘praying.’ That is simply because the Buddhists do not for His impeccable virtues and love for being their
have the concept of an almighty God who is not only all- teacher. Such feelings can be physically expressed
loving, all-knowing, but also all-powerful. There is a case by bowing thrice. If the chants are related to the
to be made for Buddha being omnipresent, and certainly recollection of His qualities or those of His Dhamma or
omniscient, but not omnipotent. Any individual mind His community of awakened followers, then they are
can only be changed by one’s own efforts. Buddha, relevant.
Dharma and Saṃgha are refuge in their respective ways
of being examples for us and something to aspire to In reality, however, pious Buddhists tend to go beyond
ourselves. Buddha, having completely embodied the that and make aspirations as described above and
culmination of the path, is the infallible guide; Dharma, chant non-canonical verses or passages of protection or
as the infallible teachings or path, Saṃgha as infallible success.