My dear John,
I have received your wonderful letter. I'm very happy you got the opportunity to do Hayagriva retreat and that you have recited the Golden Light Sutra, the Arya Sanghata Sutra, and, especially, the King of Prayers—that is one of my favorite prayers. Each time you recite this you collect 10 times 100,000 merits. So, why not recite it? If one doesn't recite this bodhisattva prayer, one is losing skies of wish-fulfilling jewels, not only zillions of dollars.
Even more merit can be created by writing the Arya Sanghata Sutra. When you write it, you are also reading it. You can also write the Golden Light Sutra. However, the main thing is to read a few pages every day or read it at least once a month, and dedicate it to world peace, to stop all famine, disease, sickness, torture, poverty, and danger of fire, wind, water, and earth (earthquakes). It becomes healing for the whole city. Also, when you are reading the sutra, it gives power (to benefit others) to the king or the president of your country, as well as protection. It also gives protection to the country where you are living. If many people in the United States read this, then you don't need to be afraid of terrorists or another country or enemy attacking you.
It directs your life towards enlightenment, with no return. When you read it you must pay attention to the benefits; they are unbelievable. Please tell other students, friends, even the bees and mosquitoes about this. HA HA!
This is one way you can create peace and happiness in the world and for all sentient beings, also how you can give protection to the country, and to other people. This is how you can fulfill all their wishes and happiness. You become like Father Christmas; you become the most precious treasure of happiness and success.
I think I should stop talking and writing here. I'm lucky to have met you—you are such a sincere, wonderful, goodhearted, devoted, practitioner, human being, Westerner, and, of course, American.
Please do continue to pray for the quickest success of the Maitreya project and all the projects within the FPMT.
With much love and prayers to you,
Lama Zopa
PS I have written this with the help of my secretary: my hand and fingers; they help as my secretary during my retreat.
Thank you so much.
