A Prayer for the End of Suffering

For as long a space endures
and the world exists,
may my own existance bring about
the end of all suffering in the world.

Shantideva

Like the eight limbs of Yoga, Buddhism teaches how to achieve enlightenment through following a prescribed method. First, one must recognize that there is suffering in the world. There is an origin to that suffering. Most people cannot recognize that there is also an end to suffering - once this is realized, one can come to the recognition that there is a path to the end of suffering.

Even if one belongs to another religious faith, or no faith at all, the steps outlined in the Buddhist Sutras can be quite useful in finding that path to the end of suffering. The Dhammapada states in the very beginning that "hate is not conquered by hate: hate is conquered by love. This is law eternal."

An ancient Sanskrit prayer says, "May the evil man become good, may the good man have peace. May he who has peace become free, and may he who is free make others free."

Jesus of Nazareth said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." He also said to "love your enemies", a much more difficult task, but gave the example "That which you do to the least of these, my children, that you do also to Me." By trying to put yourself in someone else's shoes for a moment and feel what they feel, know what they suffer, perhaps you will understand that by reducing the suffering of others you are also reducing your own suffering as well.