Dust

Yutang Lin

Years enjoyed are limited; one had better realize this early.
Do not make life miserable for yourself for days remaining.
Worldly miseries have no solution; give it up from its root.
Practice Dharma to purify mind and rescue sentient beings.

Comments:

Whenever I saw in Chinese obituaries the phrase "so many years enjoyed" (meaning so many years lived), I would think of the real situation that people in the world often had no opportunity to enjoy life in peace, having so much suffering but scanty enjoyment. If one could realize that days remaining are not many, and hence would stop making life miserable for oneself and others, and in addition, through engaging in Dharma practices would aim at purification of one's mind, cultivation of harmony, and expansion of merciful compassion, then one might gradually attain a better lot so as to be able to enjoy the remaining years in peace.

Written in Chinese and translated on October 20, 2003
El Cerrito, California

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