Meaning of prayer

[avatamsaka3]

Hi there, I'm wondering: What does prayer mean to you in the Buddhist tradition? Who or what is the recipient of your prayers?

[Aemilius]

Are you familiar with the 12 links of becoming, or pratitya samutpada? There it says: 1.dependent on ignorance karmic formations arise, 2.dependent on karmic formations consciousness arises, 3.dependent on consciousness name and from arise, etc... In this way the whole of conditioned existence arises or manifests. Now "prayer" is a type karmic formation, it is a volition, an imagining of how you would like the the outer world to be or to manifest. Mental formations or volitions are karmic actions in Buddhism, they produce consequences.

Buddhism sees that there are other levels of being than humans: gods or devas and brahmas, dragons, asuras,... buddhas and bodhisattvas... It is said in the Dhammapada that one's own mind can do more good to oneself than any other being can. So why should we pray for anyone or anything? I don't know, but prayers are also volitions and aspirations, as was said earlier.

There are Buddhas and Bodhisattvas who have made vows to help beings sunken in the sea of transmigration. You can for example look at the vows of the Medicine Buddha Lapis Lazuli Radiance or the vows of the Bodhisattava Kshitigarbha. These can be found in the sutras and commentaries of the Mahayana.

[avatamsaka3]

So your idea is... it helps us, basically. But doesn't necessarily help the object of prayer.

[Schrödinger’s Yidam]

Who or what is the recipient of your prayers?

Enlightened beings of all kinds who have the “hook of compassion”. The “ring of faith”, as expressed in prayer, is us doing our part.

Selfish prayer is not encouraged.

[avatamsaka3]

OK, but by what means is the help transmitted to them?

[Könchok Thrinley]

OK, but by what means is the help transmitted to them?

My understanding is like this. Everything is connected, if you liberate yourself you also help others. Do you know how the entire room suddenly gets cold or heavy when there is some conflict even if it isnt on you or neccessarily near you or in any way directly influencing you? This is basically us experiencing it directly in a way.

Garchen Rinpoche basically says that we are of one nature anyway so when we develop love we help all beings be more loving. (Might be just my misinterpretation)

[avatamsaka3]

OK, so more of a... global network of energy-intention, kind of thing.

[well wisher]

Benevolent prayers and wishes helps form the start of beneficial intentions.
Even better if there are follow-up actions compatible with those prayers.
Right intention is an important part of the 8-fold noble path.

[PadmaVonSamba]

Some buddhists pray to enlightened beings for help or blessings
And for others, Prayer is basically an aspiration or wish.

One conceives of the being (buddha, bodhisattva, protector, etc) who one prays to
as having some kind of “reality”, obviously, or else one wouldn’t bother.
Likewise, at that moment, we also experience having some kind of self-reality,
Some kind of “me” that is making a prayer, or else we wouldn’t bother,
Even when we know this is illusion, because we are still not free of this illusion.
That’s the context.
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