Buddha Needs Students not Disciples
(For the author of Night of a Thousand Blossoms)
I have a thousand words to answer
Your short poem because it fills
With beautiful-images- and deep -thoughts-
Disquieting questions you underwent about
Meaning of life, without blind faith.
Thousands are also not enough
Words are sometimes very limited.
That’s why Buddha keeps silent.
Because there is fashion
There must be old fashion.
Look at any flowing river
The water changes every tiny moment.
Release what you loved in the past
You are not you twenty years ago.
The most important thing is that
You found the Magic- seed in your Garden.
Every one is polluted
We live in the polluted world.
Go ahead satisfy your desire in your daily life
Do it in mindfulness; always remember.
Recognizing what you’re doing
Be aware to the present moment:
Having lunch with your wife
Listening to the music your son is playing
Driving your Jeep or riding your bike
Throwing yourself in the ocean
Looking for an appropriate word for your poem
What you love is still around you, and more
You’re watering your Seed with bright springs
It will sprout easily as your breath and grows.
Help yourself, and then environment shares the
benefits.
Buddha is no more a statue
He really knows and unveils the mask.
Not only do you sit with him
But also eat, drink, walk, bathe, or write
Two in one you do good jobs.
Like any one you are a Buddha to be.
BIO: Phuongthao Le
Pen name: Fragrant-Grass
I was born and grew up in the center of Viet Nam. I was fond of poetry in my early days. In my high-school time, I read and memorized several Chinese, French, and almost all Vietnamese famous poems of the 19th and 20th centuries. I might be influenced by the romantic trend of French poetry as many of my classmates at that time. After high school, I moved to Saigon and graduated from the School of Pharmacy in Saigon in 1965. I immigrated to the USA with my husband and four children in 1992 and have been living in California since then. After passing the equivalency of Pharmacy degree, I realized that at my age I couldn't get any good job in this challenging country. I didn't take the license to practice my former career. I decided to stay home to help my children to catch up their goals instead of mine.
I also knew that I could study English to adapt easily the new life and teach my grandchildren about their root in the future. At LBCC, I took classes from the beginning to higher level (from ESL classes to English 1, 3 and so on to go to English 27.) When I learned from Professor Gaspar, I know I found my right choice. I've attended his class semester after semester. I would like to participate in any poetry or novel activity so that I can learn more to shorten the gap between my American friends and me. That is why here is my contribution for Verdad.
Thanks for accepting me as a friend.
