After all, living in this world
Revolves around two words: suffering and joy
A lifetime of toil seeking happiness
Yet happiness remains forever distant
Happiness is not easily found
In a world turbulent and full of competition
Submerged in craving and indulgence
Creating much negative karma and added suffering
Everyone seeks joy and avoids pain
Yet their hearts know not compassion
Hatred, jealousy, and resentment boil the mind
Never knowing that peace of heart is most wonderful
I have wandered adrift in life's current
Struggling to seek moments of joy
Floating without direction in the ocean of suffering
More tears than smiles have fallen
People still live together
Yet love and affection run shallow
For fame and profit, forgetting gratitude
Even blood kinship fades in color
Suffering spreads throughout the world
Now humiliated, now glorified
Whether rich or poor
No joy is ever complete
Parents gave me this body
Birth, old age, sickness, death—all coming one day
The Teacher brought the stream of Dharma
Directing toward liberation in the future
The kindness of parents who gave me life
Etched forever through countless lifetimes
Like karmic blessings of thousands of aeons
The Teacher brings the world the radiance of spring
Parents love me like an vast ocean
Teaching and guiding me from early on
The Teacher's warmth fills the human realm
Covering all beings with no end or shore
Like the sun shining upon the world
The Teacher brings the Dharma to countless places
Each word the Buddha taught, oh, how noble!
Ancient truths shine brightly once more
I understand that worldly joy
Is but turbulence without peace
Is but fleeting and insignificant
Like mist and fog at twilight's end
The Teacher helped me understand that in this world
There exists a joy most wonderful
From love and kindness
Doing much good brings peace and joy
If anyone deeply reveres the Buddha
Diligently practices for the benefit of others
They find joy in meditation and concentration
Their lives will flourish and ascend
The Teacher taught me to open my heart
To extend compassion boundlessly
To grass, trees, flowers, and creatures
To all beings, across mountains and rivers
I will love my family
Love my brothers and sisters far and near
Love my Teacher, love my friends, love all humanity
Love the tender sprouts newly budding
The Teacher taught me humility
To see myself as dust by the roadside
To cherish and protect each leaf
To spread loving respect in all ten directions
I quietly examine my own mind
When I achieve success, I receive praise
Hidden pride is hard to see
But pride easily breeds mistakes
The Teacher taught me forbearance
To understand others' faults with compassion
To silently wish for their awakening
To hope that everyone will succeed
Life often brings injustice
Hardships and calamities overflow
To endure pain with patience and embrace it
One word from the Teacher is worth more than gold
And so in life there are many moments
When some hate, others despise or love
Keep the mind tranquil like still water
Let all joy and sorrow be carried away by the wind
The Teacher taught me to examine my faults
To confess sincerely before the dawn
From early morning to late night, I kneel before Buddha
Bowing my head in sincere repentance
I respectfully thank the Teacher
Each day brings new joy
From the Dharma truths the Teacher proclaims
I strive to cultivate and build
Is there any joy greater
Than to revere the World-Honored One each day
To live each day in the Teacher's grace
With the Teacher's image in my heart
The night will gradually fade away
As sunlight spreads across mountains and rivers
Each tender sprout stretches upward
In the garden, birds chirp and sing
But the path of Bodhi is not easy
The Teacher's shoulders bear sun and rain
With heavy heart, concerned for all beings
That the world and Dharma will endure
Surrounded by countless adverse conditions
Obstacles blocking the path of practice
For us disciples, the Teacher cares nothing
What does danger to the body matter
My reverence and affection know no bounds
The storms the Teacher has endured are countless
With steady hands steering the Boat of Wisdom
Guiding all beings to the shore of love
I bow in reverence to the Compassionate One
May You protect the Teacher's path
May the way become less steep and arduous
So that wondrous light may shine forth
I offer to the Buddha a sincere heart
May the Teacher be healthy and peaceful
May the Buddha Dharma flourish eternally
The golden way illuminating the world
May I follow the Teacher through countless lifetimes
Though oceans become mulberry groves
Though suffering becomes more intense
May my loyalty and filial devotion remain forever deep
May I always follow the Teacher in learning the sacred way
With devoted reverence for the infinite Buddha
The virtues of the Tathāgata pervade the dharma realm
Kneeling beneath Your feet brings peace
May we extend compassion to all beings
May we remain brothers and sisters for countless lifetimes
Whether life brings brightness or hardship
May our love remain ever deep and strong
May I see myself as merely earth
With palms joined, bowing to all beings
This body will return to dust
The mind too is impermanent, fading away
May I not seek worldly pleasures
The turbulent, spinning joys of this realm
Though the path of meditation is difficult
May my diligent effort never cease
May the Teacher's words resound everywhere
May suffering gradually diminish
May the Right Dharma shine eternally
May all ideals reach toward the highest
May the world transform
Into a realm of awakening, luminous and beautiful
May all humanity share faith and reverence
Buddha's compassion like the light of dawn...
Homage to the Original Teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha
Winter in Hanoi
19/11/2023
Lương Nhất Tĩnh
