Pearls of Wisdom:
A Prayer for World Peace

Fo Guang Shan International Translation Center

©All rights reserved.

Written by Venerable Master Hsing Yun

Recorded by Amanda Ling

– 1 –

Oh great, compassionate Buddha!

Please listen to these words from our hearts.

The rumbling of war between nations,

The clamor of discord between people,

The roar of greed in the rapids of craving,

The growl of hatred among ethnic groups.

– 2 –

These sounds are like tidal waves storming against our hearts!

These sounds are like hurricanes pounding against our hearts!

Oh Buddha!

We realize that all human suffering

Originates from our self-conceit, prejudice, and ignorance.

– 3 –

We realize that all worldly turmoil is caused by our attachment to things, ideas, and relationships.

Disagreements between people have led to so many arguments.

Discrimination between ethnic groups has caused so many disasters.

Intolerance between religions has caused so many misfortunes.

– 4 –

And conflicts of interest between nations has caused so much chaos and pain.

In this kind of world,

We live every day in fear.

We live every day with no peace.

Oh great, compassionate Buddha!

Please listen to these words from our hearts.

– 5 –

May people throughout the global community

Discover the means to live in harmony.

May people of different beliefs

Find mutual respect.

May people of different professions

Work in cooperation,

May people of different religions

– 6 –

Practice with tolerance.

Oh great, compassionate Buddha!

You taught us that,

The mind, the Buddha, and all sentient beings are equal.

Therefore, through this insight

May we learn the truth of the oneness of ourselves and others.

– 7 –

May we learn the selflessness to listen to the voices of all people.

May we learn the wisdom to reconcile the conflicts between nations.

From you, Buddha, we can uncover the compassionate light

To illuminate the darkness of the world.

– 8 –

Oh great, compassionate Buddha,

Please accept our sincere prayer!

Oh great, compassionate Buddha,

Please accept our sincere prayer!