That work is the value of human life
of the highest honor, please never doubt.
If enjoyed, too, it blossoms the heart.
Before long, one understand Dhamma profoundly.

Work itself is the very practice of Dhamma.
All kinds of work done as one are truly valuable.
For comparison, just like a real sharpshooter
in a single shot bags a sack full of birds.

*Living with a Free Heart

Do all kinds of work with a free heart
Freely giving all the fruits to voidness*
Eat the food of voidness as the noble ones do
Dying to oneself from the very start

Whoever can let go in these ways
Need never endure suffering and hardship
Whoever fulfills this “Art of Living”
Finds a “trick” that brings complete well-being

* Sunyata, voidness or emptiness, is in terms of selfishness, defilement, “self,” and suffering. All virtues may manifest in voidness,
but not as “me” or “mine.”

*What is This World, After All?

Our world is just a theater that never
bothers to teach us how to play our parts well.
We flood onto the stage so seriously, all life long,
So long as avijja* drags us on by our throats.

This world is a chicken's coop we're put in
so our flesh can be sliced away till none is left.
Yet we viciously peck at those sharing this cage
chasing excuses to fight — it terrifies me!

* Avijja, ignorance, not seeing and understanding things as they actually are. 

                                              *“ ME – YOU “

The simple fact is that no “me” exists
but in a wink and a slip the ghost appears.
Once awareness recovers, “me” disappears.
Ending this “me” business is good for all.

Dear Comrade, why not remove the "me"-ing
and, while you’re at it, the "you"-ing, too.
Living together with wisdom and kindness,
each doing the moment’s duty as best we can..

*Look on the good side

They have their nasty aspects — who cares!
Choose only the good stuff that they have,
of benefit to the world and attractive.
As for the bad stuff, don't bother yourself.

To find someone who is good in all respects
Don't wander foolishly, friends, on the search,
Like a quest for the turtle's whiskers, dying for nothing.
So get used to looking on the good side — more value.

*Dear Comrades

Comrades, there is no “us” to be found
but in a careless slip "us" comes to be.
Once awareness recovers, “us” disappears.
Ending this “us” business is good for all.

Dear Comrade, why not remove the "us"-ing
and, while you’re at it, the "them"-ing, too.
Living only with wisdom and kindness;
don't let "us" and "them" hang around.

*True Blessings & Hot Air Blessings

 To do good is its own good and blessing, there's no need to pray for anyone to bless us.
The blessings dished out ritually are like whirlwinds spinning back and forth
— don't fall for any of that superstitious stuff.

Doing good makes for secure and lasting blessings that the doer knows directly.

If you want to be full of blessings, just put good effort into cultivating wholesomeness
— correctly and sufficiently for ones own reality.

Everyone is born human, with the good and evil fruits of the karma we've done
Stick with Dhamma, believe in Dhamma, overcoming sin, evil, fears, and worry
— just do good and you'll have all the blessings you need. 

*Imbibing the Flavor of Dhamma

Always so ready to talk about Dhamma
but ever so careless in how we behave.
If we want to drink deeply of Dhamma's flavor,
Like the milkmaid familiar with the cow’s udder,

Don't talk much about Dhamma but actually practice
So the heart is imbued with joyous understanding.
Then mind is freed through not grasping at anything
That’s how to drink the flavor of Dhamma.

*Valuable Because Empty-Free

The value of dishes, cups, pitchers, and ewers
is that they are empty, hollow, and enticing receptacles.
If there was no space, if fully solid throughout,
we’d have no idea how to make use of them.

A bottle must be empty for us to pour anything in;
if not vacant, what purpose would it have?
These facts are worth examining farsightedly:
how interesting that being vacant creates value?

It's the same with homes, because they are empty
we can enter, move about, and dwell within them.
If they were solid through without even a crack,
how ever could we get into our buildings?

Think about it, please, that things are valuable when "empty,"
but how silly that nobody appreciates such words?
Everyone abhors emptiness, refusing to contemplate it;
the essence is in the emptiness, but who cares?

* Tan Ajahn uses the Thai waang (free, empty, void) for sunya.

*Good for Goodness Sake

When doing good for goodness’ sake it’s truly good.
Doing good for the sake of “me” looks rather rowdy
Twisted into the swindles of the crooked mind
Doing the worst damage to oneself — consider well.

Acting in such ways increases self-centeredness
The evil factions, the ghostly party, gains advantage
While the righteous side loses out each time —
Before long one forgets oneself and fears no evil.

You ought to do your best good for goodness’ sake,
Whether honored or not there's no way one can fail,
One is ever more quickly good in ones basic character
Escaping the valley of sin, good gains will come of their own. 

*Look on the Good Side

They have their nasty aspects — who cares!
Choose only the good stuff that they have,
of benefit to the world and attractive.
As for the bad stuff, don't bother yourself.

To find someone who is good in all respects
Don't wander foolishly, friends, on the search,
Like a quest for the turtle's whiskers, dying for nothing.
So get used to looking on the good side — more value.

You shouldn't go reeking and puffing at flaws.
A moment's carelessness will bite hard, so put off
Making a mess and wasting time for nothing at all.
See everything in a good light, that's good enough.

*Suan Mokkh

"Mokkh" in worldly language means freed or spotless,
that is, every kind of form, flavor, odor, and sound,
along with impressions of skin, body, and mind,
don't harm, don't disturb, and don't inflame.
 
Nature within Suan Mokkh uplifts the heart
until "Ego" big and small don't re-conceive.
Mind is cool and bright as if somebody else;
such happiness can't be compared to anything.
 
Mind is void so that it hears the rocks speak,
calling out that "nothing is worth losing your head over.
Why not stop for a while like us!
If you can't, then it's just your own hell.

"Note: Who ever sits down in Suan Mokkh
still upset, distracted, or depressed:
Hurry to a therapist to help calm you down,
then, come back to meet with the "Mokkh" group. 

*Nalike Pond

Samsara's spinning is just like stormy seas,
but its value splits off in two ways:
now nasty, now good, spinning in time
according to the concocting of conditions.

Just as wax is solid when cooled, then 
melts and flows when subjected to heat, 
the sea of good & evil twitches back & forth
-- beyond is freedom, coolness, Nibbana.

"The coconut palm" tho' dwelling midst the sea of wax,
doesn't split with changing conditions.
Rain doesn't touch, lightening doesn't threaten,
because it is beyond the concocting of all evil & good. 

*Where is Value?

A sheet of paper worth only pennies
once decorated with noble characters
of Dhammic meaning in good style
has a value beyond estimation.

A mere souvenir notebook given away free
tho' empty is fought over by grasping fools, 
while the sage in search of truth knows 
paper only has value where Dhamma is written.

Even discarded, crumpled  wrapping paper
has value from what, do you know?
Even a rotting body fondled by a foolish spouse,
once with Dhamma stops rotting -- no more tears! 

*Morals & Progress

Even today the world is in the dark ages
rushing rapidly towards its own dissolution,
humanism will fall into hellish ruin because
the spinning blade of destruction is mistaken for a lotus.

Selfishness fills our heads, pushing us under its muck
with a wonderful magic that fills our minds
absorbing everything until the heart is dark
and thinks its sensual infatuation is "progress.

"With morals no longer seen as necessary
for living together in peace and happiness;
more crazy than ever with food, fun, and fame
so deluded the insanity seems "moral and just."

*Come Back, Siladhamma!

Come back, Siladhamma, come back!
A monstrous danger is building up 
for all beings scattered throughout the universe:
the enormous destruction is frightening.

Come back, Siladhamma, come back!
In the world a dark era has appeared, so  
crazy about material things, not just by chance
having a good old time with powerful things.

Come back, Siladhamma, come back!
Evil encroaches until hopes are gone.
Hurry back before it's too late
to save the world in the nick of time.

*Developed World

The worldly progress we call "developed,"
looks more like decaying in order to die out,
or at least, ending faster than natural.
Feeling dismayed, we try to protest.

"Accelerated development" is like accelerated suicide,
natural resources are ruined in a rush,
 the results are more excessive than needed,
until total confusion reigns, peace totally lacking.

This world develops materially far beyond its wisdom
Unsatisfied, nobody thinks of stripping away the corruption, 
of high technology running amok unnecessarily.
The more excited, the more depressed -- developed world!

*Work

That work gives humanity its true value
and is of the highest honor there's no doubt.
If one enjoys work with a blossoming heart,
soon knowledge of Dhamma deeply pervades.

Because work is the very essence of Dhamma living,
superbly bringing together wholesome virtues,
By analogy, compare the intelligent sharpshooter
who with a single shot bags a sack full of birds.

Naturally, work is to be done mindfully,
with calm focus, patience, and industry,
with honesty, self-control, and intelligence,
with faith and courage, truly love your work.

The more one works, the more these dhammas flourish
promoting the transcendent shore without pause;
seeing the universal characteristics in everything,
in a flash plunging into vimutti and freeing itself.

Vimutti = liberation, release.

*Hey, It Can Change!

Whatever must be done, do it joyfully,
No need for even a hair's breath of suffering.
Why foolishly gnaw on life like an old bone,
Making human birth nothing but misery!

Incompetent at adjusting ones mind to the facts,
Making life torture and assassinating the joy
One ought to find every moment everywhere.
Roasting oneself to a crisp — what fun is that?

Come on folks, give this some intelligent thought:
This human birth, in what way is it any good?
It ought to be good at freedom from suffering —
Suffering itself will never amount to anything of value.

*There's Only Gain, Never Loss

Look well, there's only profit and never loss.
When losing a child or a spouse, one still receives
life's genuine knowledge that depends on no-one
how everything proceeds according to its evil and good.

This kind of knowledge brightens the heart,
seeing the way to Nibbana, the only true support.
Plunging forward to reach the goal of our lives,
don't get all bothered and make yourself suffer!

One ought to know only profit and never loss,
but end up losing because of misguided thinking.
Ponder carefully, there's only gain and no anxiety,
being "Truly Buddhist" at the pinnacle of Dhamma.

*The Highest Life

Any physical action, spoken word, or thought
ought to be done with a crystal clear mind 
that doesn't regard anything as "this" or "that" 
no longer made nasty and dangerous by clinging.

Whichever "Me" or "Mine" arises, can't you see
they're just the concoctions of sankhara? 
Claiming things to be "Self" is criminal, in other words, 
a clever, shameless, con-job to defraud Nature.

Whoever stubbornly insists on such a life
falls into a daylong hell of thick, foul smoke, 
with putrid fumes even more extreme at night, 
till cremation ends him having never known any coolness.

Think - speak - act with a clarified heart
Made bright, pure, calm, and smart through discovering 
that anything can be conquered through Dhamma.
Oh, human friends, this sort of life is the highest.

*A Real Blessing that Works

May the Virtues of the Buddha
The highest refuge without doubt
Protect all of you dedicated
To practicing the true path devoutly.

May the Virtues of the Dhamma
Which overcomes dukkha 
Protect all of you determined
To practice in line with the Dhamma.

May the Virtues of the Sangha
That walks the path beautifully
Protect all of you aiming
To follow the path securely and true.

*The World Today

Sometimes I have a chat with “God,”
Who looks after this trembling world
With so much tolerance, kindness, and care,
Yet the world’s beings still tremble and quake.

The world is stinking drunk on materialism,
Heartbroken with pains worse than violent death.
“Living dead” hour to hour as if life is a joke
Is worse than dying just once into the coffin.

Whatever they attempt, they still miss seeing the path,
Too terrified of giving up and abandoning everything.
It will happen only when Dhamma returns just in time
And the world turns towards the joy of Sri Araya’s Age.

*Thai Identity

The Nation, Religion, and Royalty
together make up the broad "Thai Identity"
with mothers, fathers, teachers,
and the monks connecting all the virtues.

Hurry to summon Thai strength without doubts,
not turning away from morals as supporting action
extending long lives as a sign of merit
that upholds "Thainess" securely.

Not recklessly intoxicated with our fame
as if addicted to an opium of infatuation,
or will forever crush Thai without even knowing,
whoever aims to protect Thainess should consider well.

*Lovely Work

In fact, this work is lovely:
Before we understand it, we complain,
Unknowing, we avoid it and hide,
Even moan that it is boring.

But truly, this work is lovely:
Teaches people to understand every thing,
The more we work, the smarter we are,
Plunging into difficult things the heart grows.

This work, if you really, look is lovely:
It pulls in Dhamma most praiseworthy,
That is, mindfulness, zeal, and their mates.
When we stop to rest the mind is free -- the way to Nibbana.

*The More Learning, The More Stupid

The world today is encyclopedically foolish, 
because of texts heaped upon us to death's door, 
all these books, papers, journals, and the rest 
as we outdo each other in overflowing the libraries.

With scriptures flooding their heads till they waddle, 
knowledge flooding their hearts most pitifully, 
weary scholars washed out by their studies, 
a world staggering without the light of Dhamma.

The more learning the more stupid, it's hard to believe, 
but the simple matter is ridiculously thus, 
learning only what pulls the mind into more karma, 
fondling sensuality, raving mad about status & fame.

Lots of play, eating too much, excessive money, 
babbling speech, indulgent veterans in obscenity, 
whoever upsets is joyfully cursed all day long —
yet they think this gravely malignant ignorance is good.

*Learning Religion

They wonder what it means to "learn Religion,"
Uncertain what to study or how.
Dhamma classes and Pali language aren't enough,
Graduate to meditation and vipassana.

Learn and learn again, all you get is "learning."
Some develop the "religion crazed" illness
With many things foolhardy and excessive,
Till filled up with status and gains, losing Nibbana.

The only place to learn religion is in the eyes and ears,
Whenever dukkha occurs at one sense or another.
Learn how to withdraw the bridge, so
That Mara hasn't a chance to mess with you.

Learn directly right there in the suffering,
Looking with the right method and model
Intercept the concocting process of the troubled 
mind, so it calms down and dukkha disappears.

*Modern System of Buddhism

After awakening to the realization of Dhamma Truth
the Ultimate Reality of Nature, he taught
Sunyata to all beings in all possible ways
so disciples will remove every bit of Self.

Later, the religion fell into the hands
of those who still cling to "Ego" intensely,
and still beg for ordinary sensual pleasures,
thus always looking for a way around.

One kind of Buddhism must be lowered
so that its Triple Gem is for people to pray
for all the things desired by those followers who
have turned away from the transcendent
and are stuck in the world.

*Insane for them to Cheer

There's a lot of wanting to look good,
but it's much more difficult to do.
So they get carried away as if crazy;
Aren't we silly, we people, creating ourselves!

Thinking it's right, it's good, following the advice
of ghosts, so they lose the path of morality ...
sunk in the mud beneath the lotus's roots
... blossoming all over not at all fragrant.

This makes them push ahead as if crazy
getting upset revealing their lunacy even more
showing off their very craziness,
boy it's hard to really do good.

*Mind Training Principles

Dukkha always occurs through three causes:

1.      doing abundant evil in the past,

2.      not doing any good right now, which is common,

3.      not lifting the mind above worldly things.

There's no dukkha when three causes occur:

1.      much supporting good done in the past

,2.      right now, always doing only what is good,

3.      keeping the mind upright, undeluded, & sober.

If you know how to train the mind even higher,
not messing around with pleasure & pain,
letting go of everything, freed of all moods,
done with sweet and bitter, calm and cool in Nibbana. 

*Seeing Holy Dukkhaness

Blind & silly when finding joy
Don't be fooled into suffering about it,
Though happy it's poisoned with impermanence,
See the dukkha-ness in each kind of joy.

While everything is poisoned by impermanence,
We go mad, like falling in love with a ghoul,
They delude & confuse most disgustingly:
This dukkha-ness means "revolting.

"Both "sukha" and  "dukkha" are despicable,
The thickest prisons entrapping the heart,
Tricked by them like a fish by tasty bait,
Despite having eyes, still caught on the hook.

Seeing only the joy, not the dukkha within,
Like a fish crazy about lasting stability,
So used to its tricks they seem real
Until mind lets go seeing dukkha in sukha. 

*The Supreme Buddhist Mantra

"They arise, manifest, and then cease" —
this is the main mantra to use when getting
rewards, status, praise, or any kind of happiness,
so as not to be drowsy, forget ourselves, or indulge.

"They arise, manifest, and then cease" —
this is the main mantra to use when losing
rewards, status praise, or even wife and kids,
so we aren't weakened, confused, or distraught.
 
"They arise, manifest, and then cease" —
this is the mantra to use at the last lesson,
the best weapon for dueling with death,
fully at peace beyond Mara's snares.

*Noble Arahant

“Arahant” is perfectly "right,"
both freed from every kind of dukkha
and realized in the fullness of humanity,
more worthy of respect than any other.

Having broken the cycles of samsara,
without a self to be reborn in any place,
beyond good and bad, right and wrong -- 
just a mind void of "me" and "mine."

Heart freed of everything that ever claimed it,
with no dangers or poisons left to harm,
beyond birth and death. Check it out,
so that you realize Nibbana just like them.

*Religious Matters

 Brother, what sort of religion do you teach?

Who told you that I've got religion!

Brother, you teach us just like a prophet?

That's what you say, you lousy gangster!

The words 'No Religion' confuse me?

Just study the law of nature, that's enough!

But isn't that religion, or what is it?

Just see nature and it takes care of the rest!

What's the reason, then, for not calling it religion?

It's only ordinariness, naturally, nothing more!

Where, then, is religion?

Gangs of noisyauthorities stuffing people's heads! 

*Why Leave Home?

 What sort of going forth is correct?

The kind that aims straight for liberation!

Can't you stay at home just as well?

Sure, but it isn't nearly as convenient!

How is being a wanderer speedier?

Ones feet are lighter when not carrying a house!

Where is liberation found before time runs out?

In not clinging to anything to tie you up!

What is given up to not get all trussed up?

Give up hugging all the fruits one might find!

How do we give it up so as not to be strangled?

Simple go of self and all self's stuff! 

* Frightening Stuff!

So what in the world is most frightening?

I've looked everywhere, there's nothing at all!

If so, is there anything frightening in people?

I'm immeasurably afraid of my own stupidity!

Don't you mean afraid of other people's stupidity?

That's no trouble if our own doesn't resist!

Isn't the stupidity of criminals something scary?

If we aren't stupid they won't dare anything!

Aren't you afraid of suffering birth, illness, aging, and death?

They burn us because we're so enormously foolish!

Do you mean we'll never suffer if never stupid?

I'm certain. Fear only our own big, fat stupidities! 

*Bigger than a Mountain

 What can we do to be bigger than a mountain?

Oh, do it just by killing off craving!

Is it a matter of the mind or of wisdom?

Oh, they both have to work together surely!

Regarding the mind, what is its duty?

Oh, use its mighty strength bigger than the sea!

And how about the duty of wisdom?

It slices right through like lightening!

How are they able to combine their power?

Oh, they make a sword both heavy and sharp!

And for what reason are we bigger than mountains?

With craving destroyed and poison removed, mind is boundless. 

*Why Revile Them?

 Please tell me, why do you love to curse them?

What? I don't like cursing anybody at all!

Then why do all your words pierce the heart?

How can they pierce if the heart is good?

They rumor that you scold magnificently & loudly.

Only dirty minded souls think such a thing!

Well, it hurts and penetrates their hearts.

Those who eat lime will always get heartburn!

If you don't like to, why stir up such resentment?

They're in hopeless trouble already, so I strike!

Can't you hold back just a bit, can't you wait?

When else do you beat iron but when it's still soft. 

*People Language & Dhamma Language

 People language, Dhamma language, why such a mess?

It helps preserve language, little brother!

Isn't people language by itself good enough?

It can never express Dhamma that is profound!

What kind of stuff is spoken in people language?

Simple matters that people understand without thinking!

You mean people just listen and need not reflect?

Even if they must think, they use people meanings!

And what stuff is spoken in Dhamma language?

Those that lead into the Path & its Fruits!

But who can understand such queer sounding stuff?

Realizers of Dhamma savor it deeply in their hearts!

People language is for people, isn't that true?

The more they talk, the further from truth they are!

And where will Dhamma language lead us?T

he more one speaks it, the closer to Dhamma's heart!

*Discussing Dhamma

 Well, Brother, do you have any Dhamma to discuss?

Babbling all the time, lil' bro', you'll go crazy!

For what reasons do you say such a thing?

Dhamma is here to be practiced!

If we don't study, then how can we practice?

Infatuated with studies you'll only get stuck!

Shouldn't we ask questions according to our doubts?

You think an obsessive questioner can grasp the Dhamma!

You mean discussions and debates are worthless?

Merely the celebrations of those who boast until dawn!

How then can we appreciate Dhamma's profundity?

Catch all the angles and tricks of dukkha every time! 

*The Demon in Delicious

 For what reason is the world as hot as sleeping in fire?

Just because it doesn't have any coolness, of course!

For what reason, dear brother, is coolness lacking?

For the simple reason that people love heat before coolness.

I beg of you, tell me, why do they love heat so much more? 

Because they think hot stuff is more delicious, they can't see! 

When, then, will our hearts ever fall in love with coolness?

When we recognize the demonic side of all the hot stuff!

What must we do to see the demon in delicious things?

Listen to your parents, just a bit, from when you're young!

What if our parents don't understand any better than us?

Then, heat will teach you after it's burned you to a crisp!

*Do Good & the Spirits Won't Laugh

 Hey, tell me, how does one do good?

Do good by keeping the spirits from laughing at you!

What about these spirits, what are they anyhow?

They are neither good nor evil, but they have eyes!

How can spirits know what's good and evil?

Just stray from your humanity, they'll call you crazy!

Don't tease, what do laughing spirits have to do with it?

Because people are likely to be sorry for a long time!

Why do spirits bother to ridicule us anyway?

They want all of us, and themselves, to give up evil!

You mean we must be good till the spirits "Amen"?

If you do, they won't trick you and you can laugh! 

*Born to be Human

*Why Were You Born?

 Hey, tell me, why ever are we born here?

If you're still selfish, you won't believe anything I say!

How about a hint, so I can float my boat in the stream?

Basically, naturally, we are born simply to be people!

Come on! Is that really all there is to it?

If one fully lives up to the name, it's abundantly fruitful!

What sort of born is called "inhuman"?

The birth that wastes the life one's been given!

How is one born so that this life isn't wasted?

Do not in any way transgress the duty of being human.

How is one born to the fullest standard of humanity?

Firmly commit to the duty of Dhamma people!

*Don't Mess Up

Brother, what good do you see in me?

Little brother, who can know the heart of another!

So why do we become intimate & love each other?

It's much more peaceful & easy than hating each other!

Brother, what do you want me to do?

Just don't mess anything up!

Is that enough for you to stand by me?

Well, if there's no dukkha, what more do you want!

Are you implying that I still suffer dukkha?

If you desire fame, status, or acceptance, there's dukkha for sure! 

So if we aim for what is lowly happiness is assured?

All I'm asking is that you don't mess up; figure out the rest!

 *Don't Be Shamed By The Chickens

If we compare ourselves with chickens we'll see, 
They don't have headaches, insomnia, or ulcers. 
They're free of nervous tension and mental disorders. 
Chickens don't go crazy like we do every day.

The world's people take drugs by the ton, 
While the chickens don't take even a speck. 
They sleep tight, minds at ease one-hundred per cent. 
Don't you feel a little embarrassed by the chickens?

Human birth gives us the right to be neurotic: 
Should we count this as a blessing or a curse? 
Please find some Dhamma before it's too late, 
To live happily, no longer shamed by the chickens.

*Remembering the Hornbill
                                                                                                                                                                                        Chatty Lord Hornbill ... kruk ... krik ...

pecking my back as if to scratch it.

All the times you threw my sandals around

playing, dragging, shoving them about like a tractor.

Now you've died, gone and left us

after landing on a high power transformer.

One foot burnt to a crisp, your last breath

no peacock's screech could compare.

The hearts of everyone who knew you

skipped a beat when they got the news.

No matter how or where, whoever dies

having lived virtuously can't really sadden anyone. 

*Chatting with the Fish

In chatting with the fish I came to know something strange;
They segregate into two styles well worth studying:

The fighting fish, gourami, oscars, and the like
cling to self, attach to mates, and protect their nests.
Honor crazed and fierce, they are instinctual fighters,
snapping and biting their fish friends most insanely.

The other kind, like Tilapia, are curiously different:
they make no effort to dominate a mate as their own,
they wander like ascetics, hearts like monks,
leaving their eggs behind without a care.

They are just like homeless wanderers,
rather than those stuck on 'Ego' till they die.    

*Body Odors - Cats - Dogs - People

In nature, cats never take baths,
they're way too afraid of water;
Yet we all know they never stink,
While dogs can really prick our noses.

Whether they bathe or not, dogs still stink.
Compared with cats they are rather silly.
But what of people, that's the real issue:
Sometimes they stink far worse than any dog.

So we spend fortunes on perfumes & fragrances,
Uncountable resources wasted without a care.
Never daring to bathe in the stream of Dhamma,
That alone washes away the worst odors for life.

 *Cats Never Brush Their Teeth

Have you noticed? Cats lack toothbrushes

but their mouths never stink like those of dogs.

They eat raw flesh & smelly food just the same

but their magic mouths don't smell like doggy breath.

Our own human mouths, if we fail to brush

or chew betel nut till they're red as a plum

Will stink to heaven even worse than an ogre's

everyone knows this dearly in their hearts.

Wouldn't it be good if we savored the "Dhamma

Lozenge" all day long and late into the night?

Our mouths will be fresh & fragrant from deep within.

If this isn't true, then come curse me to death.

*Materialism: the Most Dangerous Cat

while it finds the cat's soft cuddly face "lovely."

Mother mouse scolds her cub, "don't be foolish,

it's the cat that's dangerous, the chicken is harmless.

The charming cat's face for us is so wicked

it means your death, you'd better learn that fast."

Even we clever humans, so talented and skillful,

fall straight into into our own demise shamelessly.

Our hearts inflamed, we worship materialism,

sinking the world in a deadly mire of blood-money.

That's above all else is the face of great danger

the wicked "cat" that tears humanity to shreds.

*You Must Like My Friend Too

If you like me, you must like my friend, too;
         he helps to keep me happy and refreshed.

He's been a comrade in birth, aging, illness, and death;
         regard him as a worthy companion along the path.

In these long-lasting spinning cycles of Samsara,
         before we reach Sivalaya^* revealing the dawn

Of voidness realized in a heart thoroughly freed
         by finally letting go of every last thing.

We humans knowing so much have long-lasting desires;
         animals are more calm and joyful — how amusing.

Whenever we finally reach "The End,"
        we'll have traveled and finished the path together!

*Shamed by Kittens

Born, we're afraid to die, so shamed by kittens, 
whose lively eyes sparkle with joyful peace,
never thinking foolishly like us, who tremble
day and night struggling to insure against death.

The more we think, the more we suffer and imbed fear,
compounding our suffering with layers of confusion.
Getting older, we worry even more, drafting friends
and cronies to pray against death, yet keeping our fear.

How to conquer death never crosses such minds,
carrying on mindlessly, a silly sight to behold,
being Buddhist yet clutching at their "selves,"
hearts quaking in dread of death — shamed by kittens.  

*Fish Don't See Water

It's always been that fish never see the water
Flowing over their eyeballs day & night.
However you try there's no way to make
A fish see water -- O, you Fish!

Human fish pass through the world the same way.
Has there ever been one who saw
The world clearly just as it is, without
getting caught in the world's tricky net?

The word "see" is taken in many ways;
Fools claim to see even a single hair.
Why don't they see this disease infested world?
If you wonder, ponder well, these fishy matters. 

*Tiger Becomes Kitty

These kids of the Tathagata are tigers!
Ferociously pouncing on the Path-Fruit prey.
Living the wilderness of meditation as he taught,
Sorting out the branches of Satipatthana.

Body, feeling, minds, and Dhamma --
These four are the territories in which tigers
Circle, stalk, and catch their prey,
Clutched securely in the paws of mindfulness.

Any tiger that gets sloppy with Satipatthana
Becomes a house cat, haven't you seen.
The kittified tiger is gossipped all over,
Once the good name of "tiger" is lost in distractions. 

*Buk-Bik Doesn't Drink

Old Buk-bik shakes his head at the least whiff of booze, 
even when the odor is mixed into the very best of cakes, 
a single box costing a frightening amount of money.
Takes my heart away: the buyer wanted to make merit!

A real treat, but why won't this dog even touch it?
Because of it's smell, he goes crazy and pees in disgust.
Just a whiff and no dog would think it of any value;
the whole pack goes wild in their refusal to eat it.

Ponder this, please, when you pour from your bottle:
Push a dog to drink, he'll just turn his back on it and flee
leaving the whole bottle behind for people to upend.
So drink up instead of the dog — then who's laughable?

*I Love Father

I love Dad because he likes to fool around --
He tickles, hugs, and wrestles with me.
I love Dad because he always talks fun
And holds me tight every time we take a walk.

I love Dad for the gentle way he kisses my cheek;
It's funny, sometimes, how my tears flow.
Smiling tears, happy and satisfied without a care
Make me love him even more than before.

Little son, Father once clung & grasped just like that
But one day you will end up balling out your eyes,
Because strong love when separated is hard to bear
Think it over again, son, and set yourself right.

*Clinging Surely Bites

Like clinging? Well, be careful, it will bite!
As foolishness grabs hold, craving always arises
Then clinging binds and strangles the spirit.
Before you know it, you'll go crazy in a wink.
 
Cling to anything and that very thing bites:
Food, fun, or fame, anything whether ugly or sweet;
Even children, wife, husband, and other loved ones;
Good or evil, virtue or vice — you ought to know.
 
Even the most exquisitely delicious joy of your mind
No matter how peaceful and subtle, if it's clung to
Suddenly changes into an ogre that turns on you
To gobble you up with that happiness -- don't be a fool!

*No Clinging, No Biting

Even if you don't cling to the goodness you've done,
It still gives good results in return.
Even if you don't cling to the evil you possess,
Further evil is fed according to its nature.
 
Non-clinging is far better in not biting;
It can be quiet, peaceful, settled, and circumspect.
As soon as you grab something it turns and bites;
Good and evil both bite, to that I can attest.
 
Non-clinging isn't the least bit heavy,
Delightfully free of any power to entrap.
The least clinging, jumps you into the pits
Gnawing at the roots and every rung of the heart! 

*Unselfishness

Unselfishness showers others with good fruits,
With inner freedom one always gives easily,
Before long, the world fills with true friends,
A world of overflowing riches and pervasive kindness.

Without selfishness, loving kindness emerges naturally --
Naturally considerate, naturally applying Dhamma in all actions,
No chance of killing, of stealing, of sexually abusing,
Not deceiving anyone and not drunk in the least way.

Without selfishness there’s no self to grasp, which
Ends the source of all the afflictive emotions, thus
Incapable of greed, hatred, and delusion, maintaining
Mind-body clean, clear, and calm, approaching Nibbana. 

*There's No "Me"!

"Me" myself doesn't really exist,
So where will you find "my wife and kids"?
Not to mention "my wealth" or "my stuff"?  
Because I don't even have a "self" of my own!

If those are the facts, then whatever is it that
Excites and sends body-mind moving around?
It's just body-mind, haven't you noticed? 
Don't you know that body-mind is not "self"?

It's merely wonderful, profound natural change
That thinks, feels, speaks, and acts according to causes
Just ordinary blind aggregates and elements  
Don't idiotically assume that "Me" exists. 

*Fighting with Pillows

A low pillow makes it easy and pleasant to sleep supine!
But with a thick pillow you're in danger of sudden death,
Your neck broken in a snap, all ready for the coffin --
It's so much more safe to sleep on ones side!

Dear Father rules over two or three fluffy pillows
Spooking himself just to excuse padding his body!
Don't even bother with them, they wear you out.
Whether on side or back, use an arm for support!

Sleep just enough. Don't linger after the pleasures
Of sleep, not wanting to get up. It's a brain disease
With selfish defilements puffing up the heart
Until we need far too many luxuries for our own good. 

*You Just Create Mara Yourself

Mara exists when we want things good or to get,  
Even wanting to die Mara exists most peculiarly, 
Because the grasping of "ME" is so excessive
Desire in all its guises never falls into disuse.

If there's no wanting to get or be anything 
How could Mara exist? So why not oppose it! 
Don't go wanting anything through not knowing,
Then no Mara will ever appear before you!

Think, speak, and do everything with wisdom
You don't really need to crave anything, now, do you?
Without desires it's so much more cool & peaceful,
What Mara could happen then? There's just no way!

One brags "straight" according to what they praise
     Too straight one sinks into the strict mess created
Wanting to be straight so that somebody will accept us
     So that this little kid will grow up for once.

A mind clear enough to let it all go, 
     Not seeing a problem between straight and bent. 
Beyond crooked & straight not deceived by "me" or "it" 
     So purely at peace, freed of the world, unburdened.

*More Progress = More Crazy

If we say, "the more progress, the more insane," 
It looks rather hard that we'll find any takers, 
Because everyone likes progress that exceeds reality -- 
Progress like a spirit possession is even better!The world progresses beyond its means and Nature breaks up
Many strange things changing the world sorrowfully,
Making humans into an extraordinary species
Caught up in killing both above and below the ground.The more progress, the more it boils and bathes in blood;
The smarter, the more sinful, far worse than the stone age;
Creating tortuous problems proliferating endlessly,
The whole world clings to craziness as progress.

*Mocking Sky, Daring Earth

Earth and sky only give birth to Ego,
Endlessly deflating & inflating with evil & good
Never allowing even a moment's rest
As if dying within itself throughout the world.

For we lay down to die within their frame
Surrounding oneself with aimless desires
Pushed by the perverse power of ignorance
Because earth & sky squeeze & wring the heart.

Wanting nothing to do with them, I prefer voidness,
Not letting anything control heart and mind
Where's the value in good & evil, sky & earth,
When I have no need for a moment of Ego.

*Listen, You Anger Experts

If you still get angry – stupidly, maliciously out-of-control –
it's because of grasping "me" that anger cruelly erupts within.
Without any "me" to cherish or wish for any kind of thing,
how could you get angry at anyone – please consider!

This is reason enough to keep a lid on this nasty "me."
Don't let it give birth to itself as a seductive ghost,
possessing your heart till its all messed up with "me,"
throwing tantrums and wreaking havoc on loved ones.

The tree of anger is deliciously sweet at its base
but most bitter poison overflows at the extremes.
Regard me kindly, please gather round and listen,
don't risk doing business with anger, it's punishment is severe.

*No More Enemies

Enemies are those who surprise and test us
So we know how good we actually are, or
That we're only good at blazing up in anger
Unable to control our hearts for even a moment.

Enemies are those who choose heaven for us
In that our minds will notice, ponder, and realize
That patience and tolerance are sainthood right here —
Without them, we become demons of hellish turbulence.

Enemies are those who teach us the truths
That ill-will and vengeance are filthy waters.
Don't hold them in your heart, you'll bruise yourself sore
Tossing and spinning in the seas of Samsara far too long.

So it is that enemies bestow upon us great benefits;
then, why do they become villains in our minds?
Not knowing how to greet them, we react aggressively;
Learn how to receive them and enemies disappear!

*Better For Being Cursed

Isn't it funny that I'm much better for being reviled?
It delights me the more that they curse me.
No matter how badly they lay into me, I don't mind.
Don't worry, things aren't as bad as they claim.

Whoever has something good, others will envy.
They'll look for something to pick apart and despise,
Once their mouths tire they'll clam up on their own.
As they get noisier, I challenge them to revile at will!

I'm someone who has benefited from being cursed.
All their nasty words have turned into blessings.
However they revile none of it turns out to be true,
So I get all the benefits of their curses, isn't it fun?!

*Let's Eat Time Together

Look well, friends, the difference between night & day
Is nothing to get excited about — study this well!
Contemplate deeply as the wise ones do,
Seeing it's all just "time," with the same value.

Whether bright or dark, don't stretch or compress
Time into shorter or longer with your desires
That devour and digest the lives of beings.
Please be careful not to let it chew you to bits.

In other words, have no "Me" that is "Mine"
To live or to die. Drop your foolish worries,
Empty the mind of Ego & I,  realize Voidness —
That's how to eat time & kill it thoroughly 

*Just Today, Do Your Duty Fully

What has passed, don't bother seeking.
And don't wish for what hasn't arrived.
The days keep on passing never to return
And future days never quite come to pass.

Whoever sees clearly the manifest present
In all its truth brightly and openly
Without the usual shakes and trembles
Can face things as they are and proceed.

So don't delay in performing the duty of today,
For nobody can know when death will come.
We are powerless to delay or push aside
Death and his great armies.

 

*KA?O VO M? UPACCAG?

Though time flows from eternity to eternity,
Such time happens to be merely one minute,
Just sixty blinks makes us consider quickly,
Forces us to seize the chance to fulfill our lives.

Don't avoid one's place or wander aimlessly;
It exists for you to do your appointed duty.
Let it pass carelessly, the river can be wicked,
Nasty tales will bite your heels if you lose out.

Dear Comrade, the period of this single minute,
Don't waver you have only sixty winks for sure,
A little minute, so tiny, consider and watch,
Boundless joy is truly right there …

Note: There’s a word play on the Thai words for “minute” and “duty” which differ only in tone

*Grateful to Nature

I am convinced, and never
forget, that I was born
merely to work,
according to causes and circumstances,
for both you and I to know
and conquer the world, vanishing sorrow.

Nature created us complete
with thriving body-mind —
boundless thanks to Nature.
Tho’ it created me to be born, age,
and die, it created me
able to compete and thrive.

Dedicated to every duty,
pressing forward without pause
to reach the end before anyone else.
When friends just go to sleep
I am most diligent
as if chased from behind. 

*All Day Long I Don’t Do Anything

"All day long I don't do anything!"
Because of clearly understanding
That this "I" has no self.
Body & mind may act and create results,
Whether a little, a lot, or overflowing,
Then turn it all over to body & mind.

There's no way that "I" does, "I" gets,
Or "I" profits or loses or wins --  
Poor little, agitated, restless "Me."
For this reason, I can claim 
I live prosperously, luxuriously,
All day long without doing nothing!

I keep reminding myself always
To be mindful of mind not
Letting "me" or "mine" flare up.
Even when a project fulfills all wishes,
Don't go tricking yourself that
"I" did it … what a joke! 

*Somebody Who Doesn’t Do Anything

I don't do anything throughout the day
But enjoy happiness and fun
Beyond words, beyond compare!

Such special joy isn't beyond us,
Isn't to be bemoaned, 
Only speak of whatever one is to do —

To be "one who doesn't do anything"
Getting away with it all day long
Is wonderfully joyful and fun.

The catch is to put the mind's restiveness
Into the work one is doing
Until forgetting that —

There is any "me" who is doing
So mind doesn't concoct
A "me" who is working.

Samadhi plumbs singularly in
Acting skillfully without
threat of me working for "me."

 *Having without “Mine”

If you would live joyfully in this world
don’t apply “my own” to anything.
They will roast your skull till it smokes,
so let ‘em go as “their own.”

Don’t bindthem as “mine” under ego’s power,
you’ll be stressed, confused, even go crazy.
At the least you’ll be a caged pigeon
ever cooing “koo … koo” over and over.^*

You can find, acquire, use, eat whatever,
and as much as you need until satisfied,
without ever regarding and grasping any
of it as “me,” “mine,” or “my own.”

^* In Thai, a coarse form of “I.” 

*The Having That nobody Has

If we have something, the heart feels weary
Always considering that "I have this."
With both "Me" and "Mine" involved,
There Atta emerges midst the having.

If having something, have it just  conventionally
Without clutching at it as "Mine." Know the way
Of the free, un-perverted non-possessive mind —   
This having doesn't give birth to Atta.

Whatever you have, have it without birthing Atta,
With noble mindfulness protecting the gates,
Perfect in alert awareness and wisdom —
This is called "knowing how to have.

"This is the supreme art of having
That doesn't clutch the fires of wandering hells.
Having freely, freely having, most joyfully —
Why don't you get to know this sort of having?

^* Atta (self) is the illusory entity or agent of control and possession that merely appears to be lasting, independent, and real. 

*Which Mind Do You Prefer?

Original mind doesn't cast about searching
New mind searches frantically
Original mind is cool resting in its strength
New mind is hot, bothered, unable to sit 

Original mind is always satisfied
New mind is starving with its delusions
Original mind is focused, secure, and stable
New mind worries, obsesses, and doubts

Original mind is found at your forehead
New mind is far away and confused
Original mind is thoroughly self-aware  
New mind wanders homeless, lost, woebegone 

*Irritation & Annoyance

Think of all the irritations our hearts suffer:
Violently irritated, all wound up and raging;
Smoldering irritation firmly planted in the heart;
Some times you don’t even know what it’s about.

Aversion collides and crashes in the heart,
Hateful habits spread into life’s natural flow,
When ones wishes go by unsatisfied,
Annoyance closes down the heart.

Clever thinkers excel at irritation,
Poisoning their own hearts and organs.
Only with mindfulness wisely shaking it off
And sufficient mental power … then it’s simple. 

*Cittaanubhava ( Mind-Power )

Genuine mind-power is the highest thing &
Helps bring mind-liberation even higher.
If abused it drags us down into the pits,
Even a peacock can end up just a crow.

Confidently train and collect the mind's strength,
Steadily stabilizing it through the path,
Correctly fulfilling wishes & entering the course
Of Dhamma, unwaveringly on target for Nibbana.

Each day, if applied in ordinary work & duties,
It integrates the higher mental training and
Together with the good fruitions of your work
All aspects of Dhamma are practiced right in you. 

*Life ???

What is life, after all?   I think —
A most bizarre madness of nature,
With elements busily concocting body-mind,
Still enslaved to instinctual appetites & tastes.

For what, then, does life exist?   I opine—
For madness's fulfillment at Samsara's end:  
Body calmed, mind cooled, realizing Nibbana,
The extinction of dukkha in every possible form.

And how do we manage this life?   I believe —
Stop going crazy over worldly deliciousness,
Released by harmonizing the eight path factors,
Each day & every night perfect in Nature's Way. 

*Real Life

Real life is beautiful and refreshing,
without forcing things, shaking, or shuddering,
not infatuated with even the least little thing,
with a heart stuck neither in evil nor good.

The property at home is just everyday stuff:
sweep out the evil and discard with the trash,
keeping the good just to aid, share, and support,
as simple virtue making life run more smoothly.

Not clinging to anything, no burdens of mind,
no fears of death and decay to shake or confuse,
light in both body and mind, never weary,
life is simply cool and peaceful — Nibbana.

Nibbana =  the coolness of no fires
(greed, hatred, fear, delusion) burning. 

*Sitting Behind The Curtain

Look, the Buddha sits behind the curtain,
here throughout eternity, yet nobody sees —
baying and searching like hounds day and night
without a clue where to look, oh so far away.

Just brush the curtain aside a foot or two,
you’ll be astonished, thrilled, and shaken.
Who knows if you’ll recognize what you see,
if you can, you’ll be delighted — “he’s right here!”

Come on, all of you, push the curtain aside,
stop being foolish, stubborn, and so rowdily busy.
Destroy the curtain of ignorance, and quit making
excuses that you’re not smart, pretty, or good enough. 

*Ask Him First

'Count to ten' whenever strong emotions arise:
naturally you'll transform bad moods into good.
In other words, before doing anything foolish just
'ask her first,' I guarantee the meaning's the same.

Ask him first — ask who? Don't you know?
Ask the Buddha, that's who, in your noble brain. 
She'll answer straight, full, and true every time.
No need to stay sad and gloomy till you die.

When about to be angry, greedy, or foolish,
when possessed and spun into a nasty spirit,
before hitting your child or leaving your spouse,
you'll never go wrong to divine heart and body by
'asking him first.' 

*Whatever Happen

Whatever happens don’t go chasing after the crowd.
One’s own wisdom has the duty of discerning,
checking the waters and winds, considering,
investigating the ins and outs conscientiously.

Once seeing through past and future,
the present disappears without a trace.
Further, when patience and kindness steady us,
the more wisely we see all species as they are.

In this world there’s nothing that lasts,
while things swing left, right, and all around,
hold your ground in the middle, balanced, free,  
you’ll pass through all dangers and realize your goal.

*The Method Matters

Wrong way! At best it goes away, makes you crazy.
Serves you right, selling goodness till it’s no good:
Good things, grasped by fools, turn into hurts and
Messes every time — see for yourself if you don’t believe.

Right way! Madness disappears and it all turns good
From nasty demons into the most beautiful humans.
Nasty things taken up by good folks change their spots
Into something good — it happens more than you think!

Find the way! Don’t despair, don’t be put off
Because foolishness or fearfulness lead the way;
If one creates most supremely the Buddha’s Way
Transforming worldly things into spiritual —
suffering ends, friend! 

*Smart In Applying Dhamma

When fighting enemies do so with Dhamma,
wrestling however much, no real harm is done. 
Contending this way nobody dies and in the end
everyone is reconciled in peaceful harmony.

When warding off enemies know how to use Dhamma,
the most perfect adamantine wall of priceless excellence
that marvelously protects from all possible threats,
the most secure fortress within the world of people.

When evading enemies dwell within Dhamma,
not sore or suffering even the least hair's breadth. 
Dhamma soothes, moistens, and reconciles the heart;
may Dhamma be everyone's personal treasure. 

*Don't 'The Hell With Him'

Don’t recklessly spew ‘the hell with him’
when it’s about another human comrade.
Instead, aid and support him, practicing full-scale
accepting ones friend in birth, aging, illness, and death. 

elping friends is the same as helping ourselves:
the mind intent on benefiting a friend
naturally weakens selfishness in many ways, so
whatever the case, don’t lash out ‘the hell with him.’

However much selfishness diminishes, please
see how one thereby gets closer to Nibbana.
Save oneself by not wasting it on ‘the hell with him’
— please ponder this matter each one of you. 

*Why Not “The Hell With Him ”

Why not get tough enough to toss off those sources
hiding suffering inside with ‘the hell with it’?
Don’t waver, dawdle, and go soft taking it on, so ‘mego’
will stubbornly return and choke the life out of you.

All the trivial things floating this way and that:
don’t go inflating, puffing as if they’re all big deals.
Get over it all, the petty stuff is far too numerous,
just throw ‘em away quick with ‘the hell with it.’

When ‘mego’ drops or fades however little
one calms and cools down at least that much.
We save ourselves by knowing to ‘the hell with it’
until everyone is a master in its daily application.

Buddhadasa - Saunmokkh.org

If you take good care of the body and mind,