Present moment wonderful moment

I jotted down these poems in my diary 4 months ago in a monastery in Stokes Valley, Wellington. They are written by a Vietnamese Monk- Thich Nhat Hanh ( 一行禅师), who advocates peace ever since the post-Vietnam war era, and continue to inspire people around United States and the world. I have not gotten the privilege to meet this fantastic Zen master as yet, but reading his poems and his writings tend to uplift my spirit and mind everytime.

1. Waking Up
Waking up this morning, I smile
24 brand new hours are before me
I vow to live fully in each moment
and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion

2. Taking up the first step of the day
Walking on the Earth
is a miracle!
Each mindful step
reveals the wondrous Dharmakaya

3. Opening the window
Opening the window
I look out onto the Dharmakaya
How wondrous is life!
Attentive to each moment
My mind is clear like a calm river

4. Looking in the mirror
Awareness is a mirror
Reflecting the four elements
Beauty is a heart that generates love
and a mind that is open.

5. Using the toilet
Defiled or immaculate
increasing or decreasing
these concepts exist only in our minds
the reality of interbeing is unsurpassed

6. Turning on the water
Water flows from high in the mountains
Water runs deep in the Earth
Miraculously, water comes to us,
and sustains all life

7. Washing your hands
Water flows over these hands
May I use them skillfully
to preserve our precious planet

8. Brushing your teeth
Brushing my teeth and rinsing my mouth
I vow to speak purely and lovingly
When my mouth is fragrant with right speech
A flower blooms in the garden of my heart

9.Bathing
Unborn and indestructible
Beyond time and space
Both transmission and inheritance
Lie in the wonderful nature of the Dharmadhatu.

10. Looking at your hand
Whose hand is this
that has never died?
Who is it who was born in the past?
Who is it who will die in the future?

11. Washing your feet
Peace and joy in each toe-
My own peace and joy

12. Getting dressed
Putting on these clothes
I am grateful to those who made them
and to the materials from which they were mae
I wish everyone could have enough to wear.

* Thich Nhat Hanh currently resides in Plum Village in southern France. Visiting his monastery is one of my dream in the near future. You can learn more about Thich Nhat Hanh and his monastery by clicking on 'Plum Village' from my blog links.*

Comments

Anonymous said…
Hi there

There is a practice center in HKG by Plum Village, check them out here: http://www.pvfhk.org/

Breathe and smile :))
March 1, 2009 at 12:43 AM
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