I had an experience  two ago that set me on a journey to understand the nature of prayer more deeply…

 

I was in the process of gathering as many teachings as I could on the subject, when I came across one modern American Zen teacher who said simply that, while Buddhists here pray, they don’t give much attention to how it works, and that on the whole, ‘such matters have remained peripheral’ .

I could see right away that this is true, but what moved me was the feeling that something vital is missing when we don’t understand this practice, and how it relates to our living. The thought came to me vividly, that we need a world view that supports prayer, if it is to be as effective as it can be.

Around the same time as I was reading this, I was also studying the teachings of a Jewish mystic named the Baal Shem Tov, who said that,

Every letter of every word of prayer is filled with worlds, and souls, and divinity…

– and it has been within the polarity of these views on prayer that I have been conducting my study, contemplation, and writing. I asked myself, and all the teachers I could find, How can we realize prayer as something essential?

I have been feeling for some time that the Western world view in general is materialistic, and lacking any sense of the sacred. As a result, we don’t pray, or meditate, or care for ourselves and each other and this precious earth.

But there was more implied in the casual comment from that we really don’t think too much about prayer. It indicates a devaluing of language in general, and prayer in particular. So when I found this quote from the Baal Shem Tov, it set the contrast between views in bold relief.

Studying his teachings on prayer, he speaks then of how we can know what is contained especially within the sacred language of prayer. He said,

Every letter of every word contains worlds, and souls, and divinity,

and,

For all the words of prayer to have the maximum effect as sanctuary and means of transformation, we need to enter into them…

While your inner eye is gazing at these letters, your mind and heart should be directed towards their meaning…

I note here that if it had only said that ‘every letter contained worlds, and souls’ we could easily accept this, theoretically without it being much of a challenge, but when he adds, ‘and divinity’, it calls for our full attention.

For what does divinity imply? It means that there are blessings in this world, guidance, strength and peace of another order than is usually known.

We can define it in any way that appeals to us, but the truth of it remains – that we are in a different world when divinity is known. It becomes a priority. Everything changes for a person.

And this is what I have been responding to across the years – the mundane view that is tragically common here, and that needs to be addressed and overcome to create the world that we all long to see. We undervalue ourselves and each other, and from this comes all the greed, all the violence, all the discrimination and despair.

Buddhism and other world religions at their best aim in the direction of of remedying mundane views, I do believe, and when they do not accomplish this, they have fallen short. They have failed to communicate to people what is essential, and inspire people.

Western Buddhism in the United States is very much a product of so called ‘enlightenment’ thinking, materialism, and the very limited views of psychology. This could be changing, but it is the starting point of a lot of what we find in the Zen and Theravada centers here. It is a mundane view that is being perpetuated, with few exceptions.

We say that Buddhists are often in recovery from Western religions, and so we reject a spiritual world view, and language that reminds us of those teachings, but it’s our loss when deeper universal truths are excluded.

I have used this one line then to remind myself to go slowly when praying or reading the Dharma, to appreciate the hidden power of language, and traditions, great beings, and prayer. When I bring to mind that every letter of every word of prayer… I want to give this sacred activity all the time and attention it deserves. I want to be able to learn from those who know more than me what this life is for, and especially those Noble Ones who are our guides.

For example, there is a preliminary prayer in the Karma Kagyud Tradition for taking refuge in the Three Jewels and the Three Roots, that says:

I take refuge in all the Glorious, Holy Lamas;

I take refuge in all the Yidams, the Deities gathered in the mandalas;

I take refuge in all the Buddhas, and Arhats,

those who have completely conquered and gone beyond;

I take refuge in all the Supreme Dharma;

I take refuge in all the Noble Sangha;

I take refuge in all the Dakas, Dakinis, Protectors and Defenders of Dharma,

who possess the Eye of Transcending Awareness

– and when I go slowly and pause for a time after just the first line, it can open up for me.

With faith and devotion, I think of Lama Yeshe, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Thich Nhat Hanh, Khenpo Palden Sherab Rinpoche, Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, Atisha, Je Tsong Khapa, the Sixteenth Karmapa, Longchenpa, and teachers from the Thai Forest Tradition. I bring to mind all their incredible, glorious, holy qualities, having themselves realized the teachings, and I think about and can feel what it means to take refuge. There is the feeling of safety and protection, and of guidance and inspiration.

It’s possible to meditate for a good amount of time on this, and receive the benefit of this prayer, far more than if we skimmed over it on the way to something else. There is the precious opportunity to find depth and meaning when we pray.

Every letter of every word of prayer contains worlds, and souls, and divinity…

It is my hope that we all receive the full measure of the sacred energy found within teachings, prayers, ritual, and spiritual arts, just as our teachers intended. Our world speaks in thousands of ways to the need for this every day.

Buddhism at its best is non-dogmatic, and it has said from the very earliest times, ehi passiko – that we should come and see for ourselves. It is an invitation, and I believe that anyone who searches with all humility and persistence will find the deeper truth of our being here together. This has been the testimony of sages across traditions:

That our world is a sacred place, and that we are upheld. We are each of noble ancestry, and we each have a place here. With all the gifts we have received, grace and blessings then, may we always care for each other and this earth in the best of ways.

May the Great Healing Light of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas,
of all Holy Beings,
and of all that is sacred and pure in the universe,
pacify, completely pacify,
and fully remove the sufferings of living beings,
and bring them all true and lasting health and happiness