Melody Dispelling Despair and Loneliness:
a prayer to bodhisattva Kṣitigarbha encapsulating the benefits of recalling his name
Compassionate Kṣitigarbha, Womb of the Earth, think of me!
Engulfed by the darkness of afflictions, lost in the terrifying realms of negative karma, beings feel protectorless and lonely. With the brilliant warm light of your wish-fulfilling jewel, dispel their loneliness and despair. With the melodious sound of your staff rings, help them feel connected and loved. Break through delusory appearances of suffering realms and lead us and all beings to full awakening.
Locked in our self-centered attitude, we fail to encompass all beings with great compassion and great love. Breaking through the frustration of our self-obsession, may we awaken infinite bodhichitta. Connecting to the womb (garbha) of our own true nature – unity of compassion and wisdom – may we manifest infinite actions, forms and lands (kṣiti) for the benefit of all beings. Through this, may we fully dispel their despair.
Through calling on your holy name, Kṣitigarbha, may we protected by all the gods and nagas. May their own suffering be dispelled, may their minds abide in the happiness of the Dharma, and may they all quickly reach full awakening.
Through calling on your holy name, Kṣitigarbha, may the fruits of our virtue increase. May we rejoice in each positive imprint we have created in our mind and dedicate them all to the full awakening of all beings.
Through calling on your holy name, Kṣitigarbha, may we accumulate the superior causes for becoming fully awakened buddhas. May our two accumulations – collections of merit and wisdom – manifest as the two buddha-bodies.
Through calling on your holy name, Kṣitigarbha, may we never retreat from bodhi. May our every action be imbued with bodhichitta.
Through calling on your holy name, Kṣitigarbha, may all beings have abundant food and drink. Ultimately, may they gain the food of samādhi and the nectar of ultimate wisdom.
Through calling on your holy name, Kṣitigarbha, may all beings avoid epidemics and disease. Ultimately, may the disease of negative karma be dispelled by the four powers and the wisdom of emptiness.
Through calling on your holy name, Kṣitigarbha, may no beings encounter the disasters of fire and water. May the mind be liberated from the raging waters of attachment and great fire of anger.
Through calling on your holy name, Kṣitigarbha, may all beings be protected from thieves and robbers. May the thieves and robbers of false views be forever dispelled.
Through calling on your holy name, Kṣitigarbha, may we enjoy the respect of all beings. Free of arrogance and worldly concerns, may we use the attention of beings to skilfully guide them to freedom.
Through calling on your holy name, Kṣitigarbha, may even ghosts and spirits aid us. May their suffering of fear, hunger and thirst be dispelled by your brilliant light. May all of them learn your holy name and rely on the Three Jewels, never harming any beings.
Through calling on your holy name, Kṣitigarbha, may all beings enjoy equal opportunities regardless of their gender. May beings respect the sacred feminine and sacred masculine in themselves and all others.
Through calling on your holy name, Kṣitigarbha, may we manifest in a form with handsome features. Generating boundless loving kindness, may we selflessly attract beings and guide them to happiness.
Through calling on your holy name, Kṣitigarbha, may we manifest celestial forms when they are needed for guiding beings. May we also freely enter all the Pure Lands and receive boundless Dharma teachings.
Through calling on your holy name, Kṣitigarbha, may we manifest the forms of emperors, kings and inspirational leaders, when the times call for that. Then may our activities be a boundless manifestation of wisdom and compassion.
Through calling on your holy name, Kṣitigarbha, may we always remember our past lives. May our pure aspirations multiply and culminate in full awakening.
Through calling on your holy name, Kṣitigarbha, may we attain whatever we seek in accordance with the Dharma. May all the necessary resources manifest effortlessly and bring benefit to beings.
Through calling on your holy name, Kṣitigarbha, may our families be happy. May their minds naturally turn towards the Dharma and be free of the afflictive states. May their health, wealth and virtue multiply, and may bodhichitta be naturally born in their hearts.
Through calling on your holy name, Kṣitigarbha, may all disasters be eradicated everywhere you are remembered or venerated. May the four elements become harmonised internally and externally and promote the benefit of beings.
Through calling on your holy name, Kṣitigarbha, may we never enter the negative paths of action. Even when negative thoughts arise, may we not follow them and instead manifest wisdom and compassion.
Through calling on your holy name, Kṣitigarbha, may we always arrive at our destination safely. May we be a beacon of hope for our companions on the path. Wherever we end up, may we fulfil all the aspirations of bodhisattvas there.
Through calling on your holy name, Kṣitigarbha, may our dreams be peaceful and happy. May we learn the Dharma through our dreams, and, recognising their empty nature, gain ultimate wisdom.
Through calling on your holy name, Kṣitigarbha, may all the deceased we are connected to through karma or lineage be liberated from suffering and enter Sukhāvatī.
Through calling on your holy name, Kṣitigarbha, may an uninterrupted flow blessings from all our lives support our bodhisattva activity.
Through calling on your holy name, Kṣitigarbha, may holy sages always teach, guide and support us. May we always please them with our practice and keep a pure connection.
Through calling on your holy name, Kṣitigarbha, may we be intelligent and have an effortless sharpness of mind. May our Dharmic memory be perfect.
Through calling on your holy name, Kṣitigarbha, may we magnanimous, kind and compassionate. May our actions be based on a perfect understanding of interdependence.
Through calling on your holy name, Kṣitigarbha, may we ultimately realize full awakening.
May all these benefits extend to all beings. Through constantly relying on your qualities and emulating them, may we always be protected by you – and may our minds transform into the boundless awakened ocean of compassion.
This prayer encapsulating the benefits of recalling Bodhisattva Kṣitigarbha’s name, as listed in the Sūtra of Kshitiagarbha’s Vows, was written by Ven. Lobsang Tenpa on April 5, 2018. May all beings be blessed and guided by the Three Jewels.
Image of Kṣitigarbha (Jizo Bosatsu) by InSapphoWeTrust
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