Monks hold mass prayer seeking blessings for victims

Praying for the best: Sri Dhammaratana (holding a fan) with fellow monks and the laity at the mass prayer to seek blessings for the victims of Covid-19 at the Maha Vihara temple in Brickfields.

KUALA LUMPUR: About 300 people and 100 monks gathered at the Buddhist Maha Vihara temple in Brickfields for a mass prayer seeking blessings for the victims of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Monks from the Mahayana, Vajrayana and Theravada traditions took part in an hour-long chanting session, followed by a prayer in Mandarin and English dedicated to eliminating the Covid-19 virus.

Malaysia chief high priest Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana said the prayers were for all those affected by the coronavirus, regardless of race, religion, location or nationality.

“The virus which started from China has now spread to many countries, especially in Asia.

“We pray we will find a way to stop the spread of the virus in all parts of the world,” he said.

He expressed his gratitude to the government for doing its best in combating the virus locally.

The Mandarin prayer was led by Ming Ji while the English prayer was led by Tenzin Dadon.

“We know how precious our lives are and time does not wait. Death is certain but we do not know when, where or how we are going to die.

“So, I dedicate this prayer to all sentient beings to generate bodhicitta (love and compassion) in them, which leads us back to our normal lives, with peace and harmony among all of us,” said Tenzin.