Motivation for Singing in Public

Motivation for Singing in Public

Date Posted:
October 2005

Rinpoche sent the following advice and prayer to a well-known singer, so that her songs would be most beneficial for others.

My very dear one,
How are you? I was very happy to meet you and also to help you in your work. I didn’t have enough time to correct the prayer for your song, but I have asked someone to do it for me. I have many ideas for different prayers that explain how to deal with people’s various problems and difficulties. These will then make your songs have the greatest effect on and benefit for sentient beings, to help them solve their problems, emotional and psychological, and ultimately bring them to enlightenment, because what you are singing is Dharma, the teachings of Buddha, the unmistaken path to enlightenment. Because the subject is Dharma, all the people who come to your concerts or hear your music are liberated from samsaric suffering and your music brings them to enlightenment.

When you sing it would be very good if you can pray beforehand like this:

Due to all the past, present, and future merits collected by me and by all the buddhas and bodhisattvas, just by seeing me, touching me, remembering me, hearing my voice, dreaming of me, harming me, helping me, through whatever connection people make with me, even if somebody makes fun of me—may it become the cause for them never to be reborn in suffering realms (hell, hungry ghost, or animal realms); may they immediately be liberated from all sickness, spirit harm, negative karma, and defilements; and may they immediately find the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, as well as faith in refuge, karma, and the Buddha’s teachings. May they achieve bodhicitta in their hearts instantly, may all their wishes be fulfilled, may they achieve all happiness, and may they achieve enlightenment quickly by completing the whole path.

If you make this prayer every day, it becomes a very powerful way to affect other sentient beings and your whole life becomes very beneficial.

With much love and prayers...