A Prayer for a Newborn

By Venerable Master Hsing Yun 

 

Oh great, compassionate Buddha!

With great sincerity we would like to tell you 

That a new life has arrived!

Our child __________ has come into this world.

We pray that, with your blessing and protection

The child may suffer no calamity,

And may be healthy in both mind and body;

May the child have good luck every moment,

And grow up safely;

May the child be endowed with intelligence, wisdom, and discernment,

And learn without hindrance;

May the child embody both merits and virtues,

And be loved by people.

 

Oh great, compassionate Buddha!

Please grant the child not only the fruits of happiness,

But also a few challenges and some forging of character;

Not only the garden of joy,

But also a few brambles and underbrush;

Not only the encouragement of honor,

But also a few trials and undertakings;

Not only the faith of Buddhism,

But also the needed, unadulterated diligence and patience.

 

May the child have the gift of being grateful to others;

May the child have self-reflection to humble himself/herself;

May the child have the virtues of cultivating repayment;

May the child have belief in right knowledge and right view.

 

Oh great, compassionate Buddha,

In the future may the child:

Become a son/daughter in the family

Who is honest and filial;

Become a student in school

Who respects teachers and their teachings;

 

Become an upright person at work

Who is diligent and modest;

Become a disciple in Buddhism

Who protects and upholds the Triple Gem.

 

Oh great, compassionate Buddha!

We pray that, under the illumination of your Buddha light:

May the child grow up to be well-behaved, and to live securely;

May the child not be blinded and confused by vanity;

May the child not be misled by temptation of the senses.

 

Oh great, compassionate Buddha!

I pray for your blessing and protection;

Please give the child confidence and courage

When he/she is defeated,

And do not let him/her be heartbroken and sad;

Please give him/her wisdom and strength

When he/she despairs,

And do not let him/her be woeful and disappointed.

 

Oh great, compassionate Buddha!

We hope that this humble heart

Can spread throughout the entire universe;

We hope that this vow

Can reach into the unlimited, unbounded future;

May this young and tender life

Never lose his/her innocent nature;

May this young and tender life

Never lose his/her benevolent and beautiful true feelings.

 

Oh great, compassionate Buddha,

This is your disciples' pious prayer;

Please kindly accept it!

Oh great, compassionate Buddha,

This your disciples' pious prayer;

Please kindly accept it!

 

Namo Shakyamuni Buddha.