Dedication for a Meaningful Life

Inspired by a reading I attended this week about 'Having Faith and Being Without Fear' by Kaye Miner of Maitreya Institute, I came upon this beautiful dedication, written by the spiritual director of Maitreya Institute http://www.maitreya.nl/

Whatever actions I do -- eating, walking, sitting, sleeping, working, and so forth -- and whatever I experience in life -- up or down, happy or unhappy, healthy or sick, whether I have a terminal disease or don't, whether my life is peaceful and harmonious or with discord and difficulties, whether I am successful or fail, rich or poor, praised or criticized; whether I am living or dying, or even born in a horrible rebirth; whether I live long or not -- may my life be beneficial for all beings. The main purpose of my life is not simply to be rich, respected, famous, healthy, and peaceful. The meaning of my life is to benefit all sentient* beings. Therefore, from now on, may whatever actions I do be beneficial for all sentient beings. May whatever I experience in life -- happiness or suffering -- be dedicated to actualizing the path to enlightenment in my mind. May my actions and experiences cause all sentient beings to attain full enlightenment quickly.
by Lama Zopa











found on the website http://www.thubtenchodron.org/

*sentient: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentient