"When understood, the Buddha’s universe..is anything but alien and inhibiting. It is a world full of hope, where everything we need to do can be done and everything that matters is within human reach. It is a world where kindness, unselfishness, non-violence, and compassion achieve what self-interest and arrogance cannot. It is a world where any human can be happy in goodness and the fullness of giving." ❦ Eknath Easwara

September 28, 2011

How a Buddhist Works with the Prayer of St. Francis

"Below is a mantra I often work with during the day. It’s an adaptation I made of the much-loved Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. (St. Francis is my favorite Christian saint, among other things, because of his love of animals, and especially birds!  See: The Compassion of the Swans)

In Buddhism, working with a mantra is different from the usual method of meditation—I would describe it as a kind of combined mindfulness practice and metta, or loving-kindness practice. Rather than the breath being the focus, or states of concentration, the focus is on the meaning and feeling and spirit of the words. . ."

To see the adapted St. Francis prayer-mantra and to listen to a beautiful piano transcription of “Pie Jesu” by as played by Angelicus, go here:

For more in-depth dharma articles and instruction, visit:  METTA REFUGE
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2 comments:

  1. Is it possible to purchase a "May All Beings Be Happy" figurine? I would love to own one and buy some for my friends...

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    1. Hello Emari411!

      I have asked this dozens of times, but alas, the picture is of a large statue in Japan, and so far as I know, no one has made or is selling a copy of it. Give the interest in the statue over the years, I would guess the artist, or temple, could bring in a fair income were she/he or they to creature figures!

      Thanks for your interset and for stopping by the blog.

      Steve

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