Prayer?

[Jishin]

IMG_0212.JPG

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

[SNPII]

The image is excellent Jishin! I am also quite grateful for the Latin religion terminology!

SAT2day

In Sincerity
Shane

[Troy]

Prayer?

I agree with others that the person saying this maybe offering support by suggesting something that helps them. I could see how it would feel awkward or trite if not a believer. Prayer comes in many forms. Some not so different than Zazen. I find it beneficial to spend time opening my heart and mind to God in silence. “Make the two one and make the inside like the outside and the above like below” I know its not for everyone. I am just saying what works for me.


Sat2day

[Shokai]

Jishin; Where's the like button?

gassho,shokai

stlah

[Jishin]

Prayer?

Jishin; Where's the like button?

gassho,shokai

stlah

I don’t know [emoji848] if there is one. Maybe [emoji106] from the iPhone ?

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

[SNPII]

Indeed there should be a like button, but then we would be the book of faces and I already have that and look for more meaningful connection.

#likelikelike

Sat2DAY

[Ryudo]

Hi Shane,

When people tell me to pray more, I just smile. If I'm asked to join and pray (like in a funeral), I smile and do it. When they give me a blessing, I thank and smile.

Religion comes from Latin religare: to unite.

That's all

Gassho,

Kyonin

Thank you Kyonin

Ryudo/SatToday

[Frank Murray]

Prayer?

Religion comes from Latin religare: to unite.

Thank you Kyonin, that’s quite profound. I didn’t know that.

Common usage of the word today seems to come with a variety of loaded connotations. It’s interesting to ponder how far indeed the meaning has drifted from its origin.

Gassho

Frank


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[PWoodward68]

Hello all.

Very interesting topic for an even more interesting word. I'll keep my comment short and you may do with it what you will. In the Koine Greek of the Bible, where many of us learned of "prayer", the most common usage of the word is proseuche. This word has two parts, "pros", meaning towards, intimate, or in close contact with, and euche, meaning wish, desire, or vow. So, this word, for Buddhists, could actually mean striving towards our vows, or being close to them, always feeling them intimately in our heart.

Just my two cents.

Gassho.

SAT today/LAH

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[1adam12]

Thank you to all that have contributed to this post.


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[SNPII]

Hello all.

Very interesting topic for an even more interesting word. I'll keep my comment short and you may do with it what you will. In the Koine Greek of the Bible, where many of us learned of "prayer", the most common usage of the word is proseuche. This word has two parts, "pros", meaning towards, intimate, or in close contact with, and euche, meaning wish, desire, or vow. So, this word, for Buddhists, could actually mean striving towards our vows, or being close to them, always feeling them intimately in our heart.

Just my two cents.

Gassho.

SAT today/LAH

Sent from my REVVLPLUS C3701A using Tapatalk

Excellently put as well! This post has truly helped many!

Sat2day

In Sincerity
Shane

[Kokuu]

Hi all

For me prayers take a number of forms. One is devotional prayer which is usually directed to the historical Buddha or one of the many Mahayana Bodhisattvas such as Avalokiteshvara/Kannon or Kṣitigarbha/Jizo. This appears to be directed outwardly but I see these figures as representing internal qualities both of ourselves and others. Kannon is a figure of great compassion and by chanting to him/her I am seeking to acknowledge my own compassion and see it also reflected in others.

There are also prayers which we say to give us focus or direction. The Four Vows may be considered this type of prayer as are any verses which express an intention for us to follow a virtuous path. They are reminders to ourselves of what we want to guide our lives. Refuge Prayers fulfil a similar purpose and are directly inwardly.

Petitionary prayers to bodhisattvas are not something I do often, as that does give more of an external focus which we do not tend to use as a modern Zen sangha. However, I would forgive both myself and others for calling for help when times are particularly bad.

Anyway, that is my two cents/pence worth. As a novice priest my understanding is, however, limited and should not be taken as any kind of truth.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-

[Meitou]

Hi all

For me prayers take a number of forms. One is devotional prayer which is usually directed to the historical Buddha or one of the many Mahayana Bodhisattvas such as Avalokiteshvara/Kannon or Kṣitigarbha/Jizo. This appears to be directed outwardly but I see these figures as representing internal qualities both of ourselves and others. Kannon is a figure of great compassion and by chanting to him/her I am seeking to acknowledge my own compassion and see it also reflected in others.

There are also prayers which we say to give us focus or direction. The Four Vows may be considered this type of prayer as are any verses which express an intention for us to follow a virtuous path. They are reminders to ourselves of what we want to guide our lives. Refuge Prayers fulfil a similar purpose and are directly inwardly.

Petitionary prayers to bodhisattvas are not something I do often, as that does give more of an external focus which we do not tend to use as a modern Zen sangha. However, I would forgive both myself and others for calling for help when times are particularly bad.

Anyway, that is my two cents/pence worth. As a novice priest my understanding is, however, limited and should not be taken as any kind of truth.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-

Yes to everything in this post, wonderful words, thank you Kokuu. Incidentally I've not come across a devotional prayer to Jizo, I'd be very interested in that if you have a link.

Gassho
Meitou
satwithyoualltoday/ lah

[Joyo]

Hi all

For me prayers take a number of forms. One is devotional prayer which is usually directed to the historical Buddha or one of the many Mahayana Bodhisattvas such as Avalokiteshvara/Kannon or Kṣitigarbha/Jizo. This appears to be directed outwardly but I see these figures as representing internal qualities both of ourselves and others. Kannon is a figure of great compassion and by chanting to him/her I am seeking to acknowledge my own compassion and see it also reflected in others.

There are also prayers which we say to give us focus or direction. The Four Vows may be considered this type of prayer as are any verses which express an intention for us to follow a virtuous path. They are reminders to ourselves of what we want to guide our lives. Refuge Prayers fulfil a similar purpose and are directly inwardly.

Petitionary prayers to bodhisattvas are not something I do often, as that does give more of an external focus which we do not tend to use as a modern Zen sangha. However, I would forgive both myself and others for calling for help when times are particularly bad.

Anyway, that is my two cents/pence worth. As a novice priest my understanding is, however, limited and should not be taken as any kind of truth.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-

Thank you, Kokuu. You put into words how I still view prayer as part of my Zen path.

Gassho,
Joyo
sat today/lah

[Oheso]

a beautiful thing I've heard about prayer came from the film "Agnus of God", in which Sister Agnus was said to be able to hear her own guardian angel singing its prayers to God.
I think one must be incredibly still for that.

gassho, O
wst.