IBC Secretary General Ven Dr, Dhammapiya Maha Thero in his latest circular requests the world to join a Global Prayer Week to send metta prayers to the victims, health personnel, other front liners and the entire mankind who is in a constant fight against Covid19 pandemic right now.
The email circular is as follows.
Respected Mahasangha, Brothers and Sisters in the Dhamma,
Greetings from the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC)
It is my immense pleasure to inform you that the Virtual Vesak -Buddha Poornima Celebration on 7 May 2020 was successfully organized by IBC. It had the blessed presence of most eminent masters from around the world who shared their words of wisdom through video addresses.
The world is passing through a very testing time with Covid 19 pandemic impacting every aspects of our lives. It also effected the traditional Vesak celebrations. Thus, IBC came up with the idea of hosting it virtually.
It was also dedicated as Global Prayer Week to pray for the victims of the Covid 19 contagion and also to pray for the Medical Professionals and First Responders at the frontline of humanity’s efforts to stop the pandemic.
The Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi gave the keynote address. Appreciating the initiative by IBC of dedicating the Vesak as Global Prayer Week, he spoke about the enormity of challenges being faced by those at the forefront of saving the humanity from the pandemic risking their own lives. He expressed the confidence of our collective resolve and strength to overcome this critical time
The world needs the power of prayer to heal and recover not just from the pandemic but also from the causes that leads to contagions and calamities, the destruction of nature and sufferings of other sentient beings.
We request the Venerable Sangha to lead us in this Global Prayer Week by holding special prayers in the vihara, temples, monasteries and communities. The lay community can also join by dedicating your individual or family prayers to this very noble initiative.
Let’s join the Global Prayer Week and offer our collective prayers for peace to the victims of Covid 19 and their families, full recovery to the infected, strength and blessings to all those in the forefront of efforts to stop the pandemic, serving the victims and keeping us safe.
Let’s use our collective prayers of refuge in the Triple Gem to contemplate on healing our Mother Earth from the wounds we have caused.
The IBC is also planning to conclude the initiative with simultaneous Buddhist prayers across the world and an interfaith online prayer summit.
Please join and support #karunaforcorona #globalprayerweek
We request the IBC chapters, member organizations and individual members to for wider outreach and especially amongst young people and post /share photo/ short videos of prayers on FB page of Global Prayer Week or their own social media pages, use #KarunaForCorona and tag #ibcworld
Some probable #titles for the postings are suggested below:
#iprayforcoronavictims #iprayforcoronawarrior #iprayfordoctorsnurses #iprayforhealthworkers #iprayforfirstresponders #iprayformymotherearth
The tagged postings will be responded individually by IBC with a thoughtfully crafted virtual gift to acknowledge your contribution to this inner journey of collective healing and support.
Participants may also be encouraged to send us Article/Blog in email secretariat@ibcworld.org on the Topic: “Overcoming the Pandemic with Karuna”. Best 20 articles will be listed with byline and photo of author on official Blog of IBC World.
Seeking your support for the Global Prayer Week.
With Metta,
Ven Dr Dhammapiya
Secretary General, IBC