Poetry Corner with Larry Spiro

August 2020

Please be safe and conscience of others. If you have any comments or poems send to larryspiro@aol.com.

“Heart of the Buddha” is a small book that I received compliments of the Corporation of the Republic of Hwa Dzan Society. It is a tiny book less than 4 inches high 3 inches wide and 1/3 inch thick. However, it packs more wisdom then most books in the library of congress combined. Here are a few excepts:

We are what we think.
All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts,
we make the world.

Do not dwell in the past.
Do not dream of the future.
Concentrate the mind on the present moment.

Even if everyone else is not doing good,
I alone will.
Even if everyone else is doing wrong,
I alone will not.

Everything changes,
Nothing remains without change.

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle,
And the life of the candle will not be shortened.
Happiness never decreases by being shared.

Hatred never ceases by hatred,
but by love.

In separateness, lies the world’s great suffering.
In unity, lies the world’s true strength.

You yourself,
As much as anybody in the entire universe,
deserve your love and affection.

As a single slab of rock won’t budge in the wind,
so the wise are not moved
by praise.
by blame.

Through true honesty, deeply believe
that all sentient-beings are one.
That all beings have the same
true nature,
wisdom
virtue.

Just as a mother,
at the risk of her own life,
would protect her only child
even so,
Let one cultivate a boundless heart towards all beings.

Impermanence-
No self –
Nirvana.