Do not pursue the past.
Do not lose yourself in the future.
The past no longer is.
The future has not yet come.
Looking deeply at life as it is
in the very here and now,
the practitioner dwells
in stability and freedom.
We must be diligent today.
To wait until tomorrow is too late.
Death comes unexpectedly.
How can we bargain with it?
The sage calls a person who knows
how to dwell in mindfulness
night and day
'one who knows
the better way to live alone.'
Text: Adapted from the Bhaddekaratta Sutta,
translated by Thich Nhat Hanh
--
I have a few more Buddhas at home... a fat one, a skinny one, a happy one, one which holds a candle and another one I got as a gift... actually the fat and the happy ones are one and the same! heh. I think I will take a picture of each as a separate post in the future. This picture is being rehashed from my old blog and it's one of the two that I've taken pictures of so far. This one is just... sitting. I think the message above is an excellent way to start/end the weekend! [I know, so much for not blogging on weekends. ehehe!]
To everyone a happy and safe weekend. Love love love [and emptiness! :-)]!! Toodles!
Comments (7)
That is beautiful prose. And so true.
Posted by Charlie | May 3, 2007 2:32 AM
Posted on May 3, 2007 02:32
Hope you had a good weekend!
The Now is all that exists. I found the best way to stop thinking about the past or the future is to laugh! :)
So I guess my favourite Buddha would be the laughing one!
Posted by alkam | April 23, 2007 5:09 PM
Posted on April 23, 2007 17:09
Thanks for that, Robert. It speaks volumes to me :)
Posted by Jason | April 23, 2007 7:55 AM
Posted on April 23, 2007 07:55
What a cool post and a great photo!
Ahhh, living in the moment is one of the biggest challenges for all of us, me included - but it's a challenge worth trying to live up to!
Posted by Jeffrey Zacko-Smith | April 23, 2007 7:35 AM
Posted on April 23, 2007 07:35
Have you realized the Buddha statues look different in different Southeast Asian countries? The Thai buddha is more lean and has that stern face. The Cambodian buddha is more humanized and a bit plump (oops, excuse me buddha) LOL
Posted by Matt | April 22, 2007 6:41 PM
Posted on April 22, 2007 18:41
i AM trying to do it now!!! so much so i constantly wonder if i shouldn't!! cos it feels too good and decadent!! i keep looking over my shoulder and second guess myself and hv to berate myself for thinking that i need to ask for third, fourth and fifth opinions!! help me, robert!!! i'm hopeless!!!
Posted by jenn | April 22, 2007 4:53 AM
Posted on April 22, 2007 04:53
Live in the moment, yes... I used to try to do that all the time... well, I'll try again tomorrow ;)
Posted by D-Man | April 22, 2007 12:14 AM
Posted on April 22, 2007 00:14