Prayer Poem by C. P. Sharma

Worshiping ancestors I become Tao1
Ardaas2 seek Wahe Guru's blessings Wow!
As Shinto3 I scribble my wish on ema4
I bow to you ‘om mani padme hum'5

I was born a pagan by prayer
In Nature whole universe prospers
Joining the Sunday prayers in Church
I acquired a Christianity poster

By praying Namaz and visiting Maszid
As staunch Muslim, I am perched
Every religion is strictly duty bound
Give it any name, duty is profound

Invoking all elemental powers
See all existence is in One God
The goodwill and well-being
In diverse rituals and prayers soaked

(c) Dr. Chandra Prakash Sharma

Notes:

1 The term Tao means 'way', 'path', or 'principle', and can also be found in Chinese philosophies and religions other than Taoism.

2The Ardās is a Sikh prayer, a supplication to God (Wahe Guru) to support and help the devotee with whatever he or she is about to undertake or has done.

3 Shinto has no founder, no official sacred texts, and no formalized system of doctrine. Shinto followers are supposed to live in harmony and peaceful coexistence with both nature and other human beings. Shinto, also kami-no-michi, is the ethnic religion of the people of Japan. It is defined as an action-centered religion focused on ritual practices to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present-day Japan and its ancient past.

4ema are small wooden plaques on which Shinto whippers write their prayers or wishes. The ema is then left hanging up at the shrine, where the kami (spirits or gods) receive them. They bear various pictures, often of animals or other Shinto imagery.

5It is said that all the teachings of the Buddha are contained in this mantra:  Om Mani Padme Hum can not really be translated into a simple phrase or sentence. Tibetan Buddhists believe that saying the mantra (prayer) loud or silently to oneself, invokes the powerful benevolent attention and blessings of Chenrezig, the embodiment of compassion.