Dark clouds in the sky
Blown away with time.
Dark clouds in the mind
Much harder to unbind.
Uncertainty in darkness
Together we find light.
Lost without a path ahead,
We lead with heart instead.
Dark clouds in the sky
Blown away with time.
Dark clouds in the mind
Much harder to unbind.
Uncertainty in darkness
Together we find light.
Lost without a path ahead,
We lead with heart instead.
Sipping on moonbeams
I laughed with Raven beside me
Light hearts and tapas.
(Precepts in bold)
I take refuge in the Buddha, in Oneness, the awakened nature of all beings.
Realizing my nature
I have a roof during the storm.
I take refuge in the Dharma, in Diversity, the ocean of wisdom and compassion.
All the ties in a great net
Holding peace together.
I take refuge in the Sangha, in Harmony, the interdependence of all.
A bow to any one
One ten-thousand manifest.
Not knowing, thereby giving up fixed ideas about myself and the universe, I vow to cease from evil.
Practicing interdependence
Inappropriate action
A cold shower to warm up.
Bearing witness to the joy and suffering of the world, I vow to practice good.
Sawblade grasses everywhere
Clumsy feet turn red
Compassion dancing above.
Honoring wholeness in myself and others, I vow to save all beings.
Of all the insults to avoid
Taking tea first is surely worst
Only last, if at all
For this que will continue.
Recognizing that I am not separate from all that is, I vow to take up the Way of Not Killing.
Breath never stolen
Infinite wind rustles the mind
Breath of life given.
Being satisfied with what I have, I vow to take up the Way of Not Stealing.
Of all the many precious things
Time and Energy
Honor only with intention.
Honoring mutuality and respecting commitment, I vow to take up the Way of Not Misusing Sex.
A cooperative dance
Timeless starlight through clouds
Together beautiful.
Listening and speaking from the heart, I vow to take up the Way of Not Speaking Falsely.
Speak with silver sword or cripple’s cane
Fist or palm
Front and center.
Cultivating a mind that sees clearly, I vow to take up the Way of Not Intoxicating Mind and Body.
Delusions are most addictive:
A quiet flame
Embers hard to extinguish
Quickly kindled.
Unconditionally accepting what each moment has to offer, I vow to take up the Way of Not Finding Fault with Others.
The mind’s road
Sometimes filled with fools
Silent stepping springs ceaseless compassion.
Meeting others on equal ground, I vow to take up the Way of Not Elevating Myself while Abusing Others.
Rest the mind
‘I’ vs. ‘You’
Laid to rest.
Using all the ingredients of my life, I vow to take up the Way of Not Sparing the Dharma Assets.
Daylight and moon-shadows
Enjoy the cricket’s song
It’s not made for our pockets.
Transforming suffering into wisdom, I vow to take up the Way of Not Harboring Ill Will.
Cutting thoughts may slice in two
Yet as a whetstone
They can be viewed anew.
Honoring my life as an instrument of the Great Way, I vow to take up the Way of Not Defaming the Three Treasures.
All are one
Buddha nature
One and all
Must practice!
Lost words and forgotten thoughts
Gaps between reflections
Shadows on the wall.
Sunlight through leaves
The question is
Which are we, and when?