By Thich Nhat Hanh
(See part of of this prayer in Vietnamese here)
At the foot of the Bodhi tree,
beautifully seated, peaceful and
smiling,
the living source of understanding and
compassion,
to the Buddha I go for refuge.
The path of mindful living,
leading to healing, joy, and enlightenment,
the way of peace,
to the Dharma I go for refuge.
The loving and supportive community of
practice,
realizing harmony, awareness, and
liberation,
to the Sangha I go for refuge.
I am aware that the Three Gems are within my heart.
I vow to realize them.
I vow to practice mindful breathing and
smiling, looking deeply into things.
I vow to understand living beings and their
suffering,
to cultivate compassion and loving
kindness,
and to practice joy and equanimity.
I vow to offer joy to one person in the morning
and to help relieve the grief of one person in the afternoon.
I vow to live simply and sanely,
content with just a few possessions,
and to keep my body healthy.
I vow to let go of all worry and anxiety
in order to be light and free.
I am aware that I owe so much to my parents, teachers, friends,
and all beings.
I vow to be worthy of their trust,
to practice wholeheartedly,
so that understanding and compassion will flower,
and I can help living beings
be free from their suffering.
May the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha support my efforts.
