The ever-present Buddha In spring, he causes flowers and wondrous blossoms to bloom, and speaks of the truth. In the distant land of India, in a small country at the foot of a mountain ruled by a wise king, a shining white elephant emerged from the right side of the saintly queen. Along with the light, a baby like a jewel was born, and immediately after birth, walked in all directions, pointing to the heavens and declaring: "Heaven is above, heaven is below, I am the most noble one, and I will remove all the suffering that fills the world." All living beings are equally noble beings. Therefore, he cried out loudly. He studied the ways of literature and martial arts in the royal city, was given everything, and grew up healthy and without want. But one day, seeing a small bird pecking at an insect in the field, he was saddened and lamented the cruelty of the world. And thus his suffering deepened. Leaving through the east gate, one sees a person suffering from old age. South Stepping out the gate, one finds a person suffering from illness. Stepping out the west gate, one finds a motionless corpse. Stepping out the north gate, one sees a monk walking solemnly. He enters the path of self-inflicted asceticism, dons simple robes, and falls asleep lying on the grass. He abstains from food and meditates with his legs crossed. His limbs wither like withered grass, his ribs protruding like ropes, his once cool eyes sunken, and his back and belly indistinguishable. Even with the most extreme asceticism, one cannot attain enlightenment. A koto string, if too tight, will break; if too loose, will produce no sound. In the same way, the human heart, if too intense, is damaged; if too lazy, moves one away from enlightenment. Thus, he learned the middle way of harmony. Below the Bodhi tree, he resolved not to leave this seat until he attained enlightenment, and continued to meditate. His own Fighting against inner ignorance and with the sword of wisdom like a warrior charging into battle As time passed, and the morning star shone brightly Five-colored clouds drifted across the sky The Bodhi tree gleamed like a jewel Its seat bloomed like a lotus flower He finally attained enlightenment "Form is not different from emptiness; emptiness is not different from form Form is emptiness; emptiness is form Therefore, in emptiness there is no form, no sensation, perception, volition, or consciousness No eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, or mind; no form, sound, smell, taste, touch, or mental objects" The elements that constitute us are neither existence nor non-existence It is emptiness The ecstasy of an open mind, without thought or perception My mind attains a state of clarity and stillness Eventually, the flames of defilement will extinguish And I will be freed from attachment and delusion When the enlightened man grew old and death approached He uttered his final words All things that arise must inevitably Extinction Though life is immeasurable, it inevitably comes to an end. Even the flourishing must inevitably decline. All who meet must inevitably part. "The sound of the bell of the Jetavana Temple echoes the impermanence of all things. The color of the flowers of the twin Sala trees reveals the principle that the prosperous must inevitably decline. Those who are arrogant do not last long, they are merely like a dream on a spring night. Even the mighty eventually perish, just like dust before the wind." His teachings transcended time and space reached the hearts of lost people like the light of a distant star. Though a lamp flickers out with each passing moment, its light remains, dispelling and breaking through the darkness. Those who cultivate the Way are likewise. Shakyamuni, my teacher, my friend In the midst of groping in the dark, lost in a fog, You light a guiding light in the darkness And you purify our suffering. I beg you, welcome us to your presence.
