7th Issue (March, 2008)

The Buddha’s Teaching in Short

Rev. Upali

Calmness reigns in each side
In the forest, where cool and soft breeze blows,
Soft music of the birds and leaves
Gives the place a divine show.

The Buddha gowned in evening dress
Partaking the fore-noon meal,
Entered adding glamour to the forest
To dwell in quietude was the will.

He sat at the foot of a Bilva tree
A Sakyan who entered the same,
Was extremely glad to see
Buddha - the Greatest of human.

Venerated with heart full of respect
And sat aside to ask,
“May you preach your teaching in short,
And what indeed is its task?”

“In short to you I tell
Such a doctrine I assert,
For man to quit quarrel
And not to grow wrath at heart.

Love all beings, as for yourself do
None does like to suffer,
Life is dear to all, must know
None does like to die, and never.

Say not a word that harm others
A happy life all hope,
Live in amity as brothers and sisters
The world would reform to a divine abode.

Anger, hatred and too much greed
At heart, Evil-thoughts generate,
Man fights for ‘self’ and bleed
And ends in death out of hate”.

(28/11/2006, Tuesday, CBI)