A Prayer to Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva for Safety from the Wuhan Coronavirus Outbreak

A Prayer to Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva for
Safety from the Wuhan Coronavirus Outbreak

By Ven. Master Hsing Yun, Founder of Fo Guang Shan

Oh great, compassionate Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva!

As we are confronted by the Wuhan coronavirus breakout,

Many are suffering from mistreatment, adversity and fear.
We pray to you for your compassion and blessings

So that we may have the courage and wisdom

To confront the outbreak with calmness and fortitude,

To face the illness with confidence and acceptance.

Oh great, compassionate Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva!

As cities become sealed off, and events are suspended,

We are in dire need of your spirit of alleviating suffering,

Let us care and help one another and not be struck with a panic,

Let us support and encourage one another to strengthen our faith.

May the momentary isolations become
retreats for self-introspection,

May the momentary inconvenience become
mindful practices of self-improvement.

Oh great, compassionate Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva!

This is the moment when unity is most crucial,

Let us trust in the government to resolve the crisis,

Let us thank the medical professionals for treating the disease.

No matter how difficult the situation,

As long as there is compassion and wisdom,

When we all practice the Three Acts of Goodness:
Do good deeds, speak good words, and think good thoughts,

If we all protect the environment and have respect for all lives,

We shall be able to turn peril into safety.

Oh great, compassionate Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva!

At this moment, we sincerely recite your name,
“Blessed be Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva.”

We would like to take your liberation and ease as a model.

From now on:

We will distance myself from contrary and delusive ideas

To contemplate the ease of the individual;

We will distance myself from discrimination and personal conjecture

To contemplate the ease of circumstances;

We will distance myself from attachment and entanglement

To contemplate the ease of affairs;

We will distance myself from the five desires and the trouble of the world

To contemplate the ease of the mind.

Great and compassionate Buddha!

We pray for your blessings.

Please help the survivors be delivered from suffering,

and recover their good health;

Please help the deceased be reborn in the Buddha land,

and rest well in peace.

May this world be free from the turmoil of the outbreak,

May each and everyone of us be safe and well.

Oh great, compassionate Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva,

Please accept my sincerest prayer!

Oh great, compassionate Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva,

Please accept my sincerest prayer!