A poem by
Venerable J. Thupten Rinpoche
© Copyright Thupten Tulku & Dhargyey Buddhist Centre, 2000.
Colophon: Asked to write down what mental images the name New York triggers and what future direction humanity needs to take following September the 11th , I, Thubten Tulku, the Resident Spiritual Director of Dhargyey Buddhist Centre, Dunedin, have written this piece on 21 November, 2001.
This was translated from the Tibetan into English by Losang Dawa. Not needed for LETTERS FROM NEW ZEALAND, this piece was requested by DBC Board for their forthcoming April 2002 news letter.
Alas! They whose hearts are ablaze with fire of hatred
Have obliterated the innocent lives
The people and place consumed by an engulfing inferno.
The thunderous cries of the multitudes in confusion and agony shake the whole globe
Darkening the brimming face of the mornings solar orb.
Feeding on the fodder of malice, though they are robust in body .
They falter on the path of virtues;
Though agile like the monkey in deception
They are unable to guide the lost through the tangle of the forest.
Full of resolve as with their swords they behead themselves 'bravely'.
On seeing their own blood they become bereft. Have the lives of those beings been enough
To satiate their lust for an eye for eye?
Though not one but many ways there are to strive for self governance
None save the way of non-violence, can secure peace, short and long term.
Hence let the warm radiance of magnificent mind of enquiry
Unfold the lotus of non-violence that bestows peace and beneficence to all.
Just as self and others have inborn patterns:
Wishing peace and happiness, not suffering
Hence lets acknowledge that all have equal rights to this.
And let the soothing silver moon of peace shine on us all.
Born of pristine compassion of fertile ground.
The roots of the tree of your altruism are firm.
Its foliage, love and compassion, fully grown
Casts a cooling shade, equally over those who are scorched.
Laden with succulent fruits of noble deeds that entice all beings
I appeal to the forest of fresh trees of altruistic youth to usher in a new dawn of peace.
By S.J. Thupten Tulku Dhargyey Buddhist Centre Dunedin
Translated
By Losang Dawa.