A Tibetan Buddhist master, Karma Chagme, once wrote a prayer called Aspiration for Rebirth in the Pure Land of Great Bliss. These are the lines I remember most: “May the lotus open as soon as I am reborn, and may I behold Amitabha Buddha. … May I bless and protect them, and guide them to the Pure Land at the time of death. One great eon of the Fortunate Eon is but a single day in the Pure Land of Great Bliss. May I remain there, free from death, for countless eons.” 一位图伯特高僧写下《极乐净土愿文》。我最记得的是这几句： “往生花即开，愿见无量光。…加持并护佑，亡时接彼刹。贤劫一大劫，极乐刹一日，无数劫无死，愿恒住彼刹。”

今日阿弥陀佛无量寿佛节日，全城北边、东边、南边煨桑的，显然多过西边。#lhasa

Of course, dear friend! If you’d like to use my words about the mural, I’d be very happy. It would mean a lot to me. Here I am in Lhasa, looking at a mural far away in America and writing down my feelings about it. How wonderful that these words might become part of its story! ❤️🙏 You mentioned painting a turquoise Medicine Buddha. It reminded me of a poem written by the Fifth Dalai Lama in memory of a revered master of Tibetan medicine: “May the sandalwood fragrance of the tree of medicine spread everywhere, Bringing great comfort to all! May the 404 diseases caused by the three poisons of attachment, anger, and ignorance be eliminated, And may people’s bodies be as strong as those of the gods! … May you be reborn in the pure land of the Lapis Lazuli Medicine Buddha, And become a protector of humanity!”

this is the Jokhang Temple, in the heart of Lhasa’s old city. It is the most sacred temple in all of Tibet, housing the Jowo Shakyamuni statue, believed to depict the Buddha at the age of twelve. ❤️🙏

Dear @weredstar,I looked closely at this mural. So many scenes, so many stories. I feel it is about opening our arms to people of different identities and backgrounds, embracing one another, and overcoming hatred and discrimination. You mentioned that your late mother was involved in this mural. So it holds not only the memories of your city, but also your memories of your mother. I once wrote a poem called “Spring” that carries similar feelings. My mother is in it, too. There is prayer and sorrow in it as well.I’d like to share it with you. ❤️