A Prayer for One's Wife

By Venerable Master Hsing Yun 

 

Oh great, compassionate Buddha!

I am already a man with a family. 

I realize that I am carrying a great responsibility,

But I often neglect the people who are dearest to me

Due to my thoughtlessness, and the pressures of my work.

Deep in the night, when I reflect upon life's trivial matters,

I truly feel that I have not been

wholehearted with my family;

I truly regret that I have owed

My wife and children so much.

 

Oh great, compassionate Buddha!

I understand that my wife has gone through hardships to give birth and raise our children;

I understand that she has worked hard to wash and clean.

My wife is one of the few virtuous and wise women in the world;

For my joy and interests, she gave up

Her own interests and ambitions;

For my needs and ideals, she abandoned

Her own possessions and attachments.

When I come home,

She always soothes me with loving words;

She always prepares delicious, healthy food;

She always naturally shows concern and protection;

She always encourages me.

In order to have consideration for my dignity,

She lives a frugal life, to purchase more clothing for me;

In order to ensure my well-being

She has nursed and cared for my health for months and years;

In order to please my family

She says kind words to them and endures many grievances;

In order to help me succeed in my career,

She shares and relieves my worries at every moment.

 

Oh great, compassionate Buddha!

In a family, a wife holds an important position;

For a husband, a virtuous, wise wife plays an essential role;

For children, a loving mother is their strength;

 

For a man, the family is the center of his life.

In the small world of "home",

A wife plays an important role-

Her smile is sunshine for the entire family;

Her voice is music for the entire family;

Her loving words are a gentle breeze for the entire family;

Her arms are a safe harbor for the entire family.

I hope that I can walk and chat with her among flowers and in the moonlight,

And never let her work too hard or feel lonely.

I hope that I can be like her shadow, never separate from her,

And never let her wait anxiously for me at home.

 

Oh great, compassionate Buddha!

I feel very content with my wife;

If I have ever spoken rough words to her,

I hope that she can accept my repentance;

If I have ever neglected her birthday gift,

I hope that she can accept my apology;

If I have ever been unable to accompany her at any time,

I hope that she can tolerate my inexpressible difficulties;

If my income is not enough for the family budget,

I hope that she can understand my limitations.

 

 

Oh great, compassionate Buddha!

Please bless and protect my wife:

May she be a wise mother in the hearts of our children;

May she be a virtuous daughter-in-law in the hearts of her in-laws;

May she be a woman of great capacity, and enthusiastic in promoting public welfare;

May she be the paragon of motherhood in the world.

 

Please let the family become her small universe;

Please let the family become her good companion.

 

Oh great, compassionate Buddha,

Please accept my sincerest prayer!

Oh great, compassionate Buddha,

Please accept my sincerest prayer!

 

Namo Shakyamuni Buddha.