"Our Father" prayer

 

The Wayist version of the prayer that Christians call "Our Father" is caputerd in the Eastern Bible since the 2nd century. It is slightly different than the Gospel version in that it asks the Father's guidance on entering temptations, new experiences, and asks for Him to catch us should we fall. This is very much the essence of how Wayidsts view life--we are here to learn from all things, all around us, all the time. We go out seeking learning opportunities, but we remain careful and aware of dangers.

The "Our Father" Prayer

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name;
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Nectar Dharani

I pray for Amitābha mindfulness
O Noble One who walked the Way, our divine example
Giver of nectar for the spirit
Nectar in the womb of the soul perfects the spirit
Nectar of the wisdom of all existence, empower me
O Nectar, the spirit intoxicating drink
Coming and going, the gates opening and closing
O Heaven!
Lord, take my hand, and lead me in
May this soon be so, I pray.

Comparison

We see a strong comparison between the two prayers central to Wayist devotional life. Both ask for spiritual nurture "daily bread" (mid-Eastern context) and "nectar" (Kashmir context). Both expect heaven on earth (in our hearts) and soon a rebirth in Sukhavati. The mid-Eastern prayer indicates what Iesous must have known to be their biggest issue in life--forgiveness of transgressions. The Kashmir prayer indicates what Iesous discerned to be their major challenge--fear to enter the unknown.