Beginning and End

My dear friends,

The third precept under the seventh point in Geshe Chekawa's Mind Training in Seven Points is:

There are two duties: at the beginning and the end.

This precept emphasizes the importance of starting and ending each day with mindful reflection and intention. By incorporating structured prayers at the beginning and end of the day, we align ourselves with the spiritual discipline of setting a positive intention and reflecting upon our actions.

A Morning Prayer

Awake, my soul, and with the sun / Thy daily stage of duty run;
Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise / To pay thy morning sacrifice.
- from Thomas Ken's Morning Hymn

Starting the day with this prayer encourages us to rise with purpose and joy. It mirrors the Buddhist practice of setting an intention for the day, focusing on engaging in activities that benefit both oneself and others.

Lord, I my vows to Thee renew; / Disperse my sins as morning dew;
Guard my first springs of thought and will, / And with Thyself my spirit fill.
- from Thomas Ken's Morning Hymn

This stanza speaks to the renewal of vows and the purification of the mind, akin to the Buddhist practice of renewing one's commitment to the path and dispelling any negative thoughts or actions from the previous day.

Direct, suggest, control this day / All I design, or do, or say,
That all my pow'rs, with all their might, / In Thy sole glory may unite.
- from Thomas Ken's Morning Hymn

Seeking guidance in all actions of the day aligns with the practice of mindfulness and the aspiration to act with wisdom and compassion in every situation.

Heav'n is, dear Lord, where'er Thou art; / O never then from me depart,
For to my soul 'tis Hell to be / But for one moment void of Thee.
- from Thomas Ken's Morning Hymn

This reflects the importance of feeling the divine presence throughout the day, akin to maintaining awareness of Bodhicitta—the altruistic intention for enlightenment.

All praise to Thee, Who safe hast kept, / And hast refreshed me while I slept;
Grant, Lord, when I from Death shall wake / I may of endless Light partake.
- from Thomas Ken's Morning Hymn

Expressing gratitude for the night's rest and seeking to awaken with renewed strength aligns with the Buddhist view of sleep as a time for the body and mind to rejuvenate for the benefit of all beings.

An Evening Prayer

All praise to Thee, my God, this night, / For all the blessings of the light!
Keep me, O keep me, King of kings, / Beneath Thine own almighty wings.
- from Thomas Ken's Evening Hymn

At the end of the day, expressing gratitude for the day's blessings and seeking protection during the night mirrors the practice of dedicating the merit of the day's positive actions for the benefit of all beings.

Forgive me, Lord, for Thy dear Son, / The ill that I this day have done,
That with the world, myself, and Thee, / I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.
- from Thomas Ken's Evening Hymn

This stanza reflects the practice of reviewing the day's actions, seeking forgiveness for any misdeeds, and purifying the mind before sleep, akin to the Buddhist practice of purification through confession.

O may my soul on Thee repose, / And with sweet sleep mine eyelids close:
Sleep that shall me more vigorous make / To serve my God when I awake.
- from Thomas Ken's Evening Hymn

This prayer asks for restful sleep to renew one's strength for service, paralleling the Buddhist view of sleep as essential for rejuvenation and continuation of one's practice the next day.

By incorporating these morning and evening prayers into our daily routine, we fulfill the precept of having two duties—setting a virtuous intention at the beginning of the day and reflecting and dedicating at the end of the day^(*). This practice helps us to live a life of mindfulness, compassion, and spiritual growth, harmonizing the teachings of both Buddhism and Christianity.

(*) This pattern of setting intention at the beginning and dedicating the results at the end can be applied to any spiritually meritorious activity such as hearing a teaching, reading scripture, meditating, acts of generosity, etc. It is said that when the intention and dedication is for the welfare of all beings, it has a larger and more lasting value than if we do it just for ourselves. See, for example, the introductory sections dealing with how to benefit from teachings.