Image courtesy: The Hero of Compassion, illustrated by Khoa Le

Bodhicitta Aspiration Prayer

Namo Guru Lokeshvara

For the benefit of all sentient beings, I now make this aspiration:

May all the failures of the world fall upon me,
So that I may realize worldly success is but a fleeting illusion.
May all the illnesses of sentient beings fall upon me,
So that I may know suffering is inevitable, yet devoid of inherent existence.
May all anger and hatred fall upon me,
So that I can practice the sublime deeds of Akshobhya.
May the darkness of the Maras arise as my path,
So that I may always remember to take refuge in the precious Three Jewels.

According to the skillful means and dispositions of sentient beings,
May I become the medicine that heals all injury and sickness.
May I become a cool breeze in the summer, and a warm ray of sun in the winter,
Food for the hungry, and drink for the thirsty.
May I possess the power like great storm to dispel all obstacles,
Shielding sentient beings from all fears and calamities.
May I truly cherish impermanence,
Love all living creatures, and care for our shared environment.

May I never be swept away by the vortex of the eight worldly winds,
Nor long to help beings merely to reinforce my ego-clinging.
May I turn away from worldly pleasures,
Firmly steering the vessel of prajna without ever turning back.
May I never judge others or target their weaknesses,
But continuously amend myself to perfect the two benefits.
If I cannot dispel the suffering of sentient beings,
May at least my existence never cause further pain to others.

May I always deeply engrave the precious bodhichitta, Guru and Yidam, inseparably.
May my body, speech, and mind be firm as a vajra – changeless and free from deceit.
May I be reborn until the end of kalpas,
To follow in the footsteps of the gurus and bodhisattvas,
Serving sentient beings until they attain ultimate enlightenment,
Raising high the victory banner of virtue and truthful action.

May all sentient beings who connect with me through hearing, seeing, touching, or thinking
Especially those with whom I share a deep negative karmic connection
Be completely purified in a single ksana,
And may the seed of Dharma sprout within their hearts.

Composed by a practitioner still bound by great conceit and deep ignorance, on this 26th day of June, 2026 of the modern Gregorian calendar. May this aspiration and bodhichitta accompany me until the ultimate end of kalpas. In every future lifetime, may I always encounter true masters and the sublime Dharma, guided and illuminated by the Buddhas of this Fortunate Aeon and Mahaguru Padmasambhava.