Acting with a pure mind

With the words “I’m a simple Buddhist monk,” the Dalai Lama offered the opening prayer in the U.S. Senate last week. He urged lawmakers to “speak and act with a pure mind” so that “happiness will follow you, like a shadow that never leaves.” He then recited his favourite prayer: “As long as space remains, as long as sentient beings remain, until then I remain and help dispel the misery of the world” (see video clip).

“Daily I say this,” he bowed.

[Tibet’s troubled relationship with China comes to mind.]

The “as long” line echoes my own vow “to be of service” and comes from a collection of verses in Shantideva’s text, The way of the Bodhisattva. No longer resisting the arcane language of eighth century India, I frequently turn to this collection for encouragement and guidance. For example —

For all those ailing in the world,
Until their every sickness has been healed,
May I become for them
The doctor, nurse, the medicine itself.

and

All those who slight me to my face
Or do to me some other evil,
Even if they blame and slander me,
May they attain the fortune of enlightenment!

and

May I be a guard for those who are protectorless,
A guide for those who journey on the road.
For those who wish to cross the water,
May I be a boat, a raft, a bridge.

source:  Shantideva (2006). Padmakara Translation Group. Boston: Shambhala, ch. 3.