May 12 Earthquake in Sichuan, China
2008 News Report on the Relief Programs Of Buddha’s Light

A Prayer for Victims of the Earthquake

Oh great, compassionate Buddha,

An earthquake happened in Sichuan, China

on the 12th of May.

Hundreds of thousands have lost their lives or homes.

Oh great, compassionate ,

Have you heard the wailing of the suffering masses?

Have you witnessed the agony of the shattered families?

Oh Buddha,

These are the pleas from a hell on earth!

These are the cries for help from a Saha calamity!

Oh great, compassionate Buddha,

Here,

Buildings and houses have collapsed,

And devastation abounds amidst the wreckage and rubble;

There,

Sand and stones fly all over,

Misery and suffering greet the eye everywhere.

So many were trapped in the wreckage,

Filled with fear;

So many were confined in dangerous places,

Unable to escape;

So many youthful students lost their lives

in just one moment,

Forever separated with loved ones;

They are desperate for the relief of the rescue crew!

They are in dire need of your blessing and protection!

They are like lost travelers looking for a secure home;

They are like frightened lambs seeking a safe shelter.

Some of them unfortunately fell victim to the disaster;

Some of them were innocently wounded and disabled.

Oh great, compassionate Buddha,

We pray for your blessings:

May the survivors be relieved of their suffering

and recover their good health;

May the deceased be reborn in the land of Amitabha

and progress smoothly

through the nine stages of lotus incarnation.

Oh great, compassionate Buddha,

May they all realize that

their physical homes will go through

the stages of birth, existence, decay and demise,

That only their self-nature can sustain forever;

May they all understand that

death and separation from family and loved ones

befalls all of us,

That only enlightenment and liberation are

our ultimate reliance.

Oh great, compassionate Buddha,

Please bless and protect the survivors of these disasters,

Please grant them the confidence to live a new life;

May they know that where there is life, there is hope;

Please grant them the courage to move on;

May they understand that

where there is survival,

there is strength.

Please give them your blessings,

May their bodies and minds heal quickly;

Please give them the strength of concentration,

May their painfully sad spirit regain joyfulness.

Please let them understand that,

Only with fresh energy to rebuild their lives

can the deceased obtain the greatest consolation,

And can oneself obtain the ultimate success.

Furthermore,

We pray that this disaster will not worsen,

That such disasters never occur again.

Please bless and support all people:

May we all realize that

the lives of self and others are interconnected;

May we all understand that

we all affect each other in our relations.

We must take preventive measures in time of peace,

We must cooperate with and help each other,

And be prepared for possible future perils

while enjoying peace. 

Oh great, compassionate Buddha,

Please accept my sincerest prayer!

Oh great, compassionate Buddha,

Please accept my sincerest prayer!