Sunday, March 1, 2015

Buddha's Discourse



The world, indeed, is like a dream
Wherever there is light, there is shadow;
Nothing ever exists entirely alone
Each has their suffering.
Beyond the agony of life and death
Things have no reality in themselves
Some suffer too much, others too little.
Life is suffering,
Recognizing that the world is but an illusion,
Everything appears and disappears
Like the apparent distances in a picture,
To walk safely through the maze of human life
There is no distinction of east and west;
Do not dwell in the past,
It is only a state of languor and suffering - an image of death;
It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills
Not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell
Do not dream of the future,
It is like a storm that plays havoc with the garden;
Where each person is clinging to his piece of debris
Nothing is permanent
And the treasures of the world are an alluring mirage
But they are like heat haze
Just as a candle cannot burn without fire
A shadow that never leaves them
There is no fire like passion
The thought manifests as the word;
Better than a thousand hollow words,
Is one word that brings peace

2 comments:

  1. There is a world of connotations here, and all are integral to the piece... I have to admit, though, I am a little partial for reflecting on the past. It got me to where I am today, and I kind of like it here. :)

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    1. This poem is actually made up of quotes from Buddha. The title was actually one of those captcha things from some website long ago. :o)

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