To depend on it will only bring about greater pains and disappointments. Worldly beings are unable to understand why suffering should affect them, why their prayers are not answered or how could heaven be so cruel to living beings - even kindly ones!
In desperation everybody prays - expecting the quickest of results for their problems to be removed. It seems that their efforts have gone to waste and this has brought about bitterness in the hearts of those whose prayers have not worked!
Those who look within and calmly investigate the nature of their problems, using Dharma knowledge to help themselves to solve them, are very few indeed. These are the ones who have understood the nature of life and they do not become easily shaken by the difficult experiences of life. And although they pray a lot, they do not do so with expectations of reward. Just because they are doing something virtuous and worthwhile they hold no idea of reward nor expect some immediate results from them. They do not foolishly believe that just because they have taken up the good paths of practice, all good things in life will happen to them. They are able to see that life’s problems are but necessary conditions which help to bring about awakening, and also to act as stepping stones for making spiritual progress.
Those who pray for the well-being of others are advised to develop the wisdom of understanding that they do not do so with any pre-conditions. Neither should they allow their minds to be affected by the sufferings of others. Each person will have to live out his or her karmas of life. A person may be in a terrible state of suffering. On the surface he is to be pitied, in actuality, he himself has brought about such pains due to past unwholesome actions and so he is only undergoing his deserving retributive karma, which cannot be prevented. Of course the sight of such a person can bring pain and concern to those who have a sympathetic heart, but it would be foolish to bring anguish to one’s mind by such a confrontation. Rather, one should learn by such an encounter and then to pray calmly and with right intention. For this reason, when prayers have been uttered for the benefit of suffering ones, there is nothing to be disappointed when improvements are not seen, nor should there be much jubilation when recovery has been witnessed!
When one has made it his duty to pray and to work for the well-being of others, he is no longer attached to ‘miracles’. He is praying because the suffering ones need the merits. When his prayers do not bring about immediate result, he knows that merit has been transferred and that their arising karma is extremely strong. He has done what has to be done and he will continue to pray for their well-being or help them to generate merits.
He does not become disappointed because he knows about the Universal Law of Cause and Effect and the characteristics of life. He may sigh for them but he will not become immersed in their pains to the extent that his own faith becomes shattered and his wisdom diluted. His mind will not be disturbed by the sight and problems of others, otherwise, he himself will become a victim of suffering and needing others to pray for him. Therefore it is not easy to lend one’s ears to others, it is not that easy to pray for others. To expect that one’s prayers will always work is arrogance and it will lead to negative result.
When his prayers do bring about happy results, there is nothing to shout about. It could have been that such persons have fully repaid their karmic debts or that he prayed at the right moment when the negative energy of those persons were being exhausted. No one may ‘think’ that his prayers have worked or it will lead to the development of ‘Pride’.
Although it is the main task of those who are in this centre to pray for the well-being of others, and there have been cases of success, all should be reminded that their prayers have been offered out of love and care - not as a test of power of the prayers that they are reciting! The greatest power in their prayers is the ability of keeping their minds from expectation and the development of negative emotions - the knowing that even though one prays for an entire lifetime, that is not enough!
In the practice of virtue, negative results can be developed. This is to be watched! This is the subject to be contemplated upon, and then humility will arise to help development of right practice. Before praying, watch the intention, during praying watch the mind and do not allow it to wander or waver. If prayers are not recited one-pointedly, then it is just a waste of time, a Game of arrogance that one is playing. It can be dangerous to be reciting prayers with a wrong attitude. It can invite the inflow of negative thoughts and grave doubts which give birth to a host of difficulties. Then the entire practice may change from selfless to selfish clingings and the entire discipline that one has so painfully built up over many lifetimes will be destroyed!
Monday, 9th May 1988 (3rd Moon 24th Day)