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All in Good Faith
Om. O worshipful ones, may our ears hear what is auspicious. May we see what is auspicious. May we sing your praises, living our allotted span of life in perfect health and strength. May Indra extolled in the scriptures, Pushan the all-knowing, Tarkshya who saves us from all harm, and Brihaspati who protects our spiritual lustre, give us success in our study of the scriptures and the practice of the truths contained therein. Om. Peace, Peace, Peace.
Om. He who creates this universe in the beginning and He whom the Vedas gloriously praise, in Him I take refuge in the firm faith that my intellect may shine with the knowledge of Brahman. Om. Peace, Peace, Peace.
CLOSE TO THE MINEFIELDS THE SITUATION OF THE HUNGRY IS EVEN WORSE. THEY ARE OFTEN WILLING TO SCAVENGE IN THE MINEFIELD FOR FOOD OR FOR SOMETHING TO SELL TO BUY FOOD. SOME TYPES OF MINE CASING CAN BE SOLD FOR MOTOR BIKE SPARE PARTS, THEY TELL ME, BUT YOU HAVE TO GO IN THERE TO DISABLE THE MINE. SOMETIMES THE PARENTS OF A HUNGRY FAMILY CAN BE RECRUITED TO DO DANGEROUS OR VIOLENT ACTS. A SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY CAN BUY THE SERVICES OF A VERY POOR MAN.
- CAMBODIAN VILLAGER
PRAYER & RESPONSES
READER: Today we pray specially for a world of peace, a world free to celebrate and dance, a world free from mines. We pray for families who have members killed by land mines.
ALL: Comfort them.
READER: We pray for children, women and men struggling to build a new life.
ALL: Give them courage.
READER: We pray for a change of heart for the producers of land mines.
ALL: May they use their engineering and business skills for development, not war.
READER: We pray for the de-miners.
ALL: Grant them safety and perseverance in their holy work.
READER: We pray for countries severely afflicted by land mines.
ALL: May their lands be abundant with rice and corn and food, not desecrated by land mines.
READER: We pray for the heads of governments.
ALL: May they ban mines in Ottawa this December, and give funds for demining and for victim assistance.
READER: Dear God, thank you for your loving kindness. Forgive our faults, and help us to do good, not evil.
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