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TEACHINGS | EASTERN HORIZON 15

Here, we share some prayers that you might hear at May those frightened cease to be afraid, and may those
a Buddhist funeral. We also share some prayers that may bound be free.
bring comfort and peace to someone who is sick or dying. May the powerless find power and may people think of
befriending one another.
1. “Tibetan Dying Prayer” May those who find themselves in trackless, fearful

wildernesses—the children, the aged, the unprotected—
Through your blessing, grace, and guidance, through the be guarded by beneficent celestials, and may they swiftly
power of the light that streams from you: attain Buddhahood.

May all my negative karma, destructive emotions, Though the title says this is a prayer for peace, it’s also
obscurations, and blockages be purified and removed, a prayer for health—specifically, mental health. This
May I know myself forgiven for all the harm I may have prayer can provide comfort to people who are plagued
thought and done, by worry. The opening line speaks about freeing people
May I accomplish this profound practice of phowa, and from the suffering of both the body and mind.
die a good and peaceful death,
And through the triumph of my death, may I be able to One major tenet of Buddhism is that the mind and body
benefit all other beings, living or dead. are dependent on one another. It’s this holistic approach
that makes Buddhism attractive to people who are
This is perhaps one of the best known Buddhist prayers. struggling with mental or physical illness.
It can be found in The Tibetan Book of the Dead. This
text details the experiences the consciousness goes 3. “Traditional Buddhist Blessing and Healing
through during the time between death and rebirth. Chant”

There’s a common misconception that this book is read Just as the soft rains fill the streams,
aloud to people as they are dying. In truth, Buddhists Pour into the rivers and join together in the oceans,
read it throughout their lives to prepare for what comes So may the power of every moment of your goodness
after death. It references “phowa”, which is a Buddhist Flow forth to awaken and heal all beings,
meditation practice. It can be best described as the art Those here now, those gone before, those yet to come.
of dying consciously and peacefully.
By the power of every moment of your goodness

This prayer also references the principle of benefiting May your heart’s wishes be soon fulfilled
all other beings through your death. This tenet is so As completely shining as the bright full moon,
longstanding, it’s part of the ancient practice of Tibetan As magically as by a wish-fulfilling gem.
sky burials.
By the power of every moment of your goodness
Buddhism has long been the dominant religion in the May all dangers be averted and all disease be gone.
remote region of Tibet. In Tibetan sky burials, the May no obstacle come across your way.
bodies of the deceased are broken down and left out May you enjoy fulfillment and long life.
for vultures and other scavengers to consume. In this
way, someone’s death can serve as a boon to help other For all in whose heart dwells respect,
creatures survive. Who follow the wisdom and compassion, of the Way,
May your life prosper in the four blessings
2. “A Buddhist Prayer for Peace” Of old age, beauty, happiness, and strength.

May all beings everywhere plagued with sufferings of This is another prayer for healing. This one has a
body and mind quickly be freed from their illnesses. strong emphasis on the sense of self. It also ties into the