TREE OF LIFE
I climbed the Tree of Life until I reached absurdity.
The Spirit of the Tree looked down and gently said to me:
“The wind is blowing stronger now,so many trees are gone;
it’s time for you to learn to bow; there’s truth to ponder on.
The desert is now growing strong, the seas are rising high,
and so it comes - it won’t be long - the time for you to die.
Upon the Tree of Life there are a thousand boughs of gold:
some thrive and grow toward their star while others die of cold.
“They perish by their own device by soiling their own nest:
it isn’t just a throw of dice deprives them of their rest.
I am the Tree of Life and life must triumph in the end
no matter how much grief and strife the journey does portend
and sometimes it’s the tiniest of all my thriving crowd
who bring to heel the seeming best when they’ve become too proud.
Hubris is the greatest sin as has been known of old
and I lament the state you’re in despite what you’ve been told.”
I felt ashamed of all my tribe and had a vision then
of tragedy I can’t describe: a Dark Age come again.
Fire and flood, plague and blight sweep across the land;
even though we have the light by which to understand.
We know the truth the Spirit tells, but still there’s no restraint
as we are driven to the hells by our own complaint.
Oh Tree of Life, I worship you and would that I could turn
the madding crowd, or just a few or save the one’s who burn.
Oh, that this human branch could grow in harmony and peace:
with all the things we have and know to find a sane release,
but sadly all around we see the signs of desecration
and down there comes a misery of our own creation.
The Tree of Life then bent a bough and lifted me upon it
“My child, you must accept for now the order of my writ;
beyond the dark a new day dawns when sanity will reign
and you will walk on heavenly lawns in lands where there’s no pain.
“Until then one must still endure to pass the vale of fire
protected by a faith that’s pure and guided by desire.”
But what of those whose faith has died, who live by hate and greed?
Can they be saved, can they abide, they and all their seed?
I would that I could gather in all those who run astray,
but would not know where to begin, except that I can pray.
“Thinking thus you will succeed, for Heaven will hear your suit:
in Heaven’s garden, every weed bears unexpected fruit.
“All is behoven, all will flow to find its own fair due:
flowers in the meadow, each with its true hue.”
So on the bough I now can rest and trust the Spirit of the Tree
for from it comes the vital zest by which alone we’re free.
The grass will grow anew at last and life will ever thrive:
when present woes lie in the past some will be still alive;
but yet I feel a deep dismay for what will soon be here
for there are many debts to pay and there is much to fear.
A branch may fall down from the tree broken by the wind
and it will be no mystery the way that we have sinned,
and I may fall with all the rest, for I am just one more,
and cannot build a safer nest exempt from all this war.
We think we are the topmost point and favourite of the Spirit
but have we got quite out of joint and used up all our merit?
Not by cleverness alone will we evade our fate:
alas, unless we soon atone, it will be far too late.
- DB
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OASIS TWO PROJECT: "Oasis de Plenitude"
Not far from where I live, here in the rural centre of France, there is a settlement for elderly Buddhists called Oasis de Longue Vie. I have some good friends there. They have created a hamlet, having built several houses in addition to the original one that stood on the land they acquired. The project, after a slow start, has become quite a success story and now has seven residents plus two more in process of moving there. This means that they are approaching their limit of about a dozen and the idea has arisen why not start a second scheme along the same lines. Here at La Ville au Roi I have about ten hectare that could be used. I have, therefore, made the offer to donate the land if others will come forward with the capital to do the necessary building work. Those who buy into the scheme will, as at Oasis de Longue Vie, acquire lifetime usage of a dwelling in the settlement built for them. Thus each resident is independent, yet participates equally in the collective governance of the scheme. It is to be expected that Buddhist and general social events will develop, but attendance is always voluntary. Several people have already shown interest in the scheme and a prospectus is available. Although the project is likely to appeal particularly to the elderly, who like independence but also need mutual support, there is no age limit. Nor is it confined to any one school of Buddhism. If you might be interested, contact: Jisshas <
jisshas@googlegroups.com> and we shall put you on the project mailing list.
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PRAYER FOR REBIRTH IN SUKHAVATI (DEWACHEN)
A film of Tibetan chanting of the Amitabha Sukhavati prayer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=A8uTL8k1ua4
EMAHO NGOTSAR SANGYE NANGWA TAYE DANG
E-Ma-HO! Wondrous Buddha of Boundless Light,
YE SU JOWO TUKJE CHENPO DANG
On your right, the Lord of Great Compassion,
YON DU SEMPA TUCHENTOP NAM LA
And on your left, the Bodhisattva of Great Power,
SANGYE JANGSEM PAKME KHOR GYI KOR
All are surrounded by countless Buddhas and Nodhisattvas.
DEKYI NGOTSAR PAK TU MEPA YI
There is wonderful, immeasurable happiness and joy
DEWACHEN ZHE JAWE ZHINGKHAM DER
In this realm called Sukhavati.
DAK NI DI NE TSE PO GYUR MA TAK
The moment I pass from this life,
KYEWA ZHEN GYI BAR MA CHOPA RU
Without taking another birth,
DE RU KYE NE NANG TE ZHAL TONG SHOK
May I be born there and behold the face of Amitabha.
DEKE DAK GI MONLAM TABPA DI
Having made this aspiration,
CHOK CHU SANGYE JANGSEM TAMCHE KYI
May all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the 10 directions
GEKMÉ DRUBPAR JIN GYI LA BA TU SOL
Give their blessing that it be fulfilled without obstacles.
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