Beneath the sea of glistening stars,
Between the ethereal evening air,
Lies a forest of glowing dreams,
But as diverse and rich as they are,
None escape the same Moonbeam.
Under the lucent morning glow,
Roll waves of raving emotions,
Turbid fortunes and cruel woes,
The burning craving of billions,
Yet the same Sun illumes them all.
Princes, beggars and pretenders,
All dance their own tango with
Fortune’s jeering taunts and tantrums,
Each gambles to grapple with fate,
But upon the same soil they all tread.
The crown of a grand old oak
Casts a wide and mighty shadow,
Ruffling with a myriad of leaves,
Adorned by blooming blossoms
That sprout in spring and wither in winter,
With branches amber in autumn,
Green in summer, and lean and bare
In Saturn’s season of barren frost.
Yet for all its lush richness, it still rests
Upon one abiding unchanging trunk.
So even as human affairs steer here and there,
And wander and meander like wetland streams,
The timeless source remains the same,
For all ripe fruits return to Buddha’s root.
It is often asked why it is said that there are 84,000 different Dharma-doors (i.e. innumerable forms of Dharma). The answer is simple: Sentient beings are complex and have innumerable biases, different spiritual levels and varying aspirations. Thus, it is not possible for one fixed form of teaching to suffice by itself.
Therefore, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas have not only spoken a rich collection of different Sutras, but have also manifested as the Sages and founders of different religions in order to teach those who could not yet accept the Buddha-dharma.
According to the Ven. Master Hsuan Hua:
“In Buddhism, he (Guanyin Bodhisattva) appears as a Bodhisattva; in other religions he often appears clad in white robes. In Christianity, he is the Holy Mother; he appears as the Holy Mother to teach and transform a certain category of beings. He appears in white robes and Christians call her Mother Mary, but actually she is Guanshiyin Bodhisattva manifesting in that form to inspire beings to bring forth a resolve that will lead them sooner or later to understand the Buddhadharma. Once they understand the Buddhadharma, they will bring forth the resolve for Bodhi. These are the endless miraculous functions and inconceivable states of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva.”
-Ven Master Hsuan Hua’s 1996 Lecture “Guanyin, Guanyin, Guanshiyin” (Translated by the BTTS).
Despite this rich varied diversity, the purpose is all the same: To promote virtue and eschew vice, which is the key (i.e. the Sila of the Threefold Training of Sila, Samadhi and Prajna) to eventually developing faith in the Buddha-dharma. For a more detailed analysis, please read my following Public Domain essay:
https://archive.org/details/ThePurposeOfMonotheismAndItsFuture
Thus, interfaith harmony is important, and no one should be caught up in conflict or strife over superficial differences, for all roads lead home.
However, even though all roads (religions) lead to the Buddha-dharma, all of the Buddha-dharma and every Sutra are united by Amita Buddha’s Pure Land School, the easiest and most wondrous Dharma door, cultivated by both the brilliant and base. The only practical way to Buddha-hood in our current Dharma-ending age.
For an introduction to Pure Land Buddhism, please read my Free and Public Domain translations of the The Buddha Speaks the Mahayana,Infinite Life, Adornment,Purity, Impartiality, and Enlightenment Sutra, and the Path to Pure Land prayer:
Public Domain PDF version of Prayer: path-to-pure-land
Lastly, as Sila (virtue) is the fertile soil that Samadhi and Wisdom spring from, the Great Master Yin Guang (1861-1940), the 13th Patriarch of the Pure Land School, strongly recommended the Taoist Treatise of the Illustrious Sage on Response and Retribution. It is a short and succinct moral tractate that details the workings of karma, and concurs fully with the Buddha’s teachings on the fruits of virtue and vice. In fact, Master Yin Guang printed more copies of this Treatise than all the Buddhist Sutras he printed combined. Thus, I entreat everyone to heed this Treatise. Daily recitation of it can eradicate evil karma, draw in blessings and create the foundational purity of heart needed to seek Pure Land rebirth.
Free and Public Domain translation available here:
Treatise of the Illustrious Sage on Response and Retribution (English Liturgy Version 2017 Edition)
Poem, all attached texts, and post released into Public Domain
This is the best verse I have read in a long long time. You have outdone yourself with this one. Epic. Spectacular Brilliant
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Thank you so much Yasmin, to receive the praises of such an accomplished poet like you means a lot to me!
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You are very good. I feel honored with your appreciation.
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Posting to twitter
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Thank you so much Yassy!
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Welcome my friend.
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Wow! Stunningly beautiful.
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Thank you very much!!
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Great translation and a totally fascinating blog! I am glad I found you,
Dolly
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Thank you very much for your kind words and for dropping by! Everything I have written is free and in the public domain, so if you see something you like, please feel free to use or share.
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That is so generous of you – thank you!
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You’re welcome, thank you for your interest.
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🙂
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This has deep meaning! I’m truly grateful you shared this, thank you!
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Thank you very much, Kunal! I am very grateful for your kind words and support!
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I’m so glad I stumbled across 🙂
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It’s a pleasure to meet you too! Everything I have written is free and in the public domain, so please feel free to use or share if you should wish.
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👍
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Thanks for your love .
I have launched my website
Pls visit
http://www.nandkishorlodhi.com
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You’re welcome, and thanks for letting me know about your site.
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Yeah…thanks for your compliment
I am new comer but want to big leap.
Motivation is my life
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I’m looking through your new site right now, I like your work and I believe what you are doing is very positive ; I feel that mental and motivational support is more important now than ever before.
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I don’t say I am best man but I am best struggler
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I feel all that matters is that you give it a sincere go, in Buddhism, all you have to do is attempt to do good and your merit is complete (regardless of success). Also, your Modern Life Poem is very true, I’ll be posting a full comment on it on your site.
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Since your last visit, I think we must have published at least 3-4000 ‘full screen pictures’ that you might enjoy?
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