The chant below was composed by our friends at the Zen Center in Milwaukee following the tragic events of 11 th September 2001. Now, a year later, they still seem appropriate to the state of the world.
Dharma words at the time of great tragedy
The Buddha perceived, not that we could be one, but that we are
one. In our essence we are all the same, despite our differences in appearance,
race, age, condition, ideology. The Buddha also knew that to live this oneness
would take great compassion. This is a chant offered by Buddhists in the spirit
of hope.
Chant for a compassionate heart in the face of hatred and death
Life is short
May my heart be compassionate
Life is uncertain
May my heart be compassionate
Death comes without warning
May my heart be compassionate
Hatred flows readily
May my heart be compassionate
Revenge blooms unhindered
May my heart be compassionate
May my compassion touch
All who have died
May my compassion touch
All who are injured
May my compassion touch
All who have lost loved ones.
May my compassion touch also
The angry, the killers, those who
Give death to themselves and others,
Creating great evil in their belief
That they attack great evil.
May compassion enfold us all.
May compassion enfold us all.
May the infinite, unending compassion
Of the Buddha rain upon us now and forever.
We usually recite the first 16 lines alternating between the leader and
the group and then recite the
last 9 lines together.
