Sayings of Buddha on "The Sage".
Rendered in haiku form.
This is sixth in the series continuing on from
1. Buddha on Choices
2. Buddha on Mindfulness
3. Buddha on Mind
4. Buddha on Flowers
5. Buddha on The Fool
The image was originally of Gandalf from deviantart, now Socrates lecturing Alcibiades, a detail from "The School of Athens" by Raphael. The video that follows is the advice imparted by Laz Buhrman in the song 'Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)'.
Rendered in haiku form.
This is sixth in the series continuing on from
1. Buddha on Choices
2. Buddha on Mindfulness
3. Buddha on Mind
4. Buddha on Flowers
5. Buddha on The Fool
The image was originally of Gandalf from deviantart, now Socrates lecturing Alcibiades, a detail from "The School of Athens" by Raphael. The video that follows is the advice imparted by Laz Buhrman in the song 'Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)'.
Directions:
The sage will warn you
Where you’ve fallen, where you might;
Vital you heed him!
Let him chasten you.
Most hate to learn of their wrongs,
But good men love it.
Shun bad company,
But among good company
Dwell in fellowship.
He who finds his heart
Lives happy in clear conscience,
Delighting in truth.
As water’s channelled
Arrows straightened and wood planed,
So too the mind’s stilled.
Mountain in the winds,
Unmoved, so is the sage by
Winds of praise or blame.
The wise are serene
Like a calm lake, hearing Truth,
Pure, tranquil and deep.
Serene, they are free.
Needing nothing, they escape
From the leash of want.
Free of attachment,
The sage walks on untouched through
Favour or hardship.
The wise seek nothing
For themselves or for others,
But get everything.
Few cross the river
And get to the other side.
Most run up and down.
But the sage crosses
On the well-built boat of Truth
To the eternal.
Renouncing the dark,
The wise cultivate the light,
Finding natural joy.
Be wise! Free from lust
And free from clinging desire,
Purify your heart.
Freed, enlightening
The seven eyes of insight,
Be yourself a sage.
Where you’ve fallen, where you might;
Vital you heed him!
Let him chasten you.
Most hate to learn of their wrongs,
But good men love it.
Shun bad company,
But among good company
Dwell in fellowship.
He who finds his heart
Lives happy in clear conscience,
Delighting in truth.
As water’s channelled
Arrows straightened and wood planed,
So too the mind’s stilled.
Mountain in the winds,
Unmoved, so is the sage by
Winds of praise or blame.
The wise are serene
Like a calm lake, hearing Truth,
Pure, tranquil and deep.
Serene, they are free.
Needing nothing, they escape
From the leash of want.
Free of attachment,
The sage walks on untouched through
Favour or hardship.
The wise seek nothing
For themselves or for others,
But get everything.
Few cross the river
And get to the other side.
Most run up and down.
But the sage crosses
On the well-built boat of Truth
To the eternal.
Renouncing the dark,
The wise cultivate the light,
Finding natural joy.
Be wise! Free from lust
And free from clinging desire,
Purify your heart.
Freed, enlightening
The seven eyes of insight,
Be yourself a sage.
ReplyDeleteReminded me, of the Desiderata...
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.
Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Thanks for posting that, Rose!
ReplyDeleteIt led me on to this, which I haven't heard in a while... (I'm without audio right now, so I need to come back to it myself)
I guess I was always 'blessed' to appreciate and reflect up, from my youngest youth, the firmness of my skin, the muscle tone of my strong legs, my ability to jump out of a tree, 'knowing' fully well, that the future would strip me of them. That I would face the challenges, of the elderly.
ReplyDeleteI always looked at my age as, if I were 10 years older I will wish I could 'be' the age I am now...or if I feel fat, pretend to myself I just 'lost 50 pounds,' and how 'proud I am,' even though I really 'didn't lose them, just to explore that 'mindset.'
This is a great video.
I've been thinking about this. Certainly it's an interesting trick to teach us to be grateful. I think most people seem to live permanently under the opposite illusion and that obviously can cause pain that the present does not live up to past expectations.
ReplyDeleteWell, I hadn't planned quite on the pain of 'pushing the envelope,' in this changing body, but so many of the changes within it I am grateful for...I see clearer as it ages...at least at this point.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be nice if we could grow and learn without pain?
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are with you, Rose.
Now that I think of it, that reminds me of this on Y!A.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20101010135818AAWfrM2