Everyday

 

"Everyday think as you wake up,

Today I am fortunate to have woken up.

I am alive.

I have a precious human life.

I am not going to waste it.

I am going to have kind thoughts towards others.

I am not going to get angry or think badly about others.

I am going to benefit others as much as I can."

~ Dalai Lama ~

No-coming & No-going

 

This body is not me. 

I am not limited by this body.

 I am life without boundaries. 

I have never been born, and I have never died. 

Look at the ocean and the sky filled with stars, 

manifestations from my wondrous true mind. 

Since before time, I have been free. 

Birth and death are only doors through which we pass, 

sacred thresholds on our journey. 

Birth and death are a game of hide and seek.

So laugh with me, hold my hand,

 let us say good-bye, say good-bye, to meet again soon. 

We meet today. 

We will meet again tomorrow. 

We will meet at the source every moment. 

We meet each other in all forms of life. 

(Extract from ‘Chanting from the Heart (2007)’ by Thich Nhat Hahn)

It was with much sadness that I learnt of this great master's death on 22nd January 2022.  It was Head Nun who first introduced me to his teachings and great works.  May he find everlasting peace at the Lotus Feet of Lord Buddha.

With Metta,

Da

An Ode to Buddha

Now that Wesak is over, things have quietened down at the temple and you can say we're back to "normal".  I have been rummaging in Head Nun's bookcase during my free time and came across this book entitled "Our Buddha".  It was published in 1999 (20 years ago!) and written by Moni Bagchee (wonder who he or she is?).  It tells of the life of the Buddha from young until He attained enlightenment.  Inside is also this awesome poem by Sarala Devi dedicated to the Lord Buddha which I would like to share with you - Da.

Fix thy tranquil eyes, O Buddha

On my eyes sore with passion.

May the inner burning be at rest,

And greed extinguished.

Fix thy eyes on my eyes, O Buddha!

By meditating on thy holy form

May all envy-crooked deeds

Be put to shame and suppressed.

May anger's raging tongues be silenced,

Put to shame and suppressed.

Fix thy eyes on my eyes, O Buddha!

May thy merciful gentle words

And deathless tidings

Fill my mind.

Lead me across the Sea of Desire,

Come thou my Supreme Treasure.

Fill my mind with deathless tidings.

Fix thy eyes on my eyes, O Buddha!

Come Tathagata,

The Resort of suffering beings

That bow low at thy feet.

From birth to birth bring them

The Law that removes the stains of pain!

Fix thy eyes on my eyes, O Buddha!

~ Sarala Devi ~
(Composed on the occasion of Buddha Day in 1932)

SADHU!  SADHU!  SADHU!

The New Year Dawns

The new year dawns,

Alas, another year has gone by.

Oh how tired I am.

Where have all the flowers gone?

A tear rolls down my cheek,

A great sadness fills my heart.

 Then ... I see a light above!

It beckons to me!

As I look in wonder,

It whispers,

Why fear when I am here?

May the light of Love and Hope always surround you;

May your sadness turn to Laughter and Joy;

May the light of Wisdom touch your heart;

May Goodness inspire you to great heights and
May the light of Peace illumine every step that you take.

As I sit there dazed,

it slowly vanishes into the 

swirling clouds above.

I am alone again, alone but

touched by a Love so pure,

I know I'll never be afraid again.

(Poem written by Head Nun on New Year's eve)