Poetry

Earth and sky only give birth to Ego, 
Endlessly deflating & inflating with evil & good 
Never allowing even a moment's rest
As if dying within itself throughout the world.

For we lay down to die within their frame 
Surrounding oneself with aimless desires 
Pushed by the perverse power of ignorance
Because earth & sky squeeze & wring the heart.

Wanting nothing to do with them, I prefer voidness,
Not letting anything control heart and mind
Where's the value in good & evil, sky & earth, 
When I have no need for a moment of Ego.

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Still getting angry? Stupidly, maliciously out-of-control? 
Just because of grasping “me” anger cruelly erupts within.
Without any “me” to cherish or wish for any kind of thing, 
how could you get angry at anyone? Please consider!

This is reason enough to keep a lid on this nasty “me.”  
Don't let it give birth to itself as a seductive ghost, 
possessing your heart till it's all messed up with “me,”
throwing tantrums and wreaking havoc on loved ones. 

The tree of anger is deliciously sweet at its base 
but most bitter poison overflows at the extremes. 
Regard me kindly, please gather round and listen, 
don't risk doing business with anger's severe punishment.

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“How scary!” the mousecub says of the rooster's face,
while it finds the cat's soft cuddly face “lovely.”

Mother mouse scolds her cub, “don't be foolish,
it's the cat that's dangerous, the chicken is harmless.

The charming cat's face for us is so wicked
it means your death, you'd better learn that fast.”

Even we clever humans, so talented and skillful,
fall straight into into our own demise shamelessly.

Our hearts inflamed, we worship materialism,
sinking the world in a deadly mire of blood-money.

That's above all else is the face of great danger
the wicked “cat” that tears humanity to shreds.

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Hey, tell me, how does one do good?
Do good by keeping the spirits from laughing at you!

What about these spirits, what are they anyhow?
They are neither good nor evil, but they have eyes!

How can spirits know what's good and evil?
Just stray from your humanity, they'll call you crazy!

Don't tease, what do laughing spirits have to do with it?
Because people are likely to be sorry for a long time!

Why do spirits bother to ridicule us anyway?
They want all of us, and themselves, to give up evil!

You mean we must be good till the spirits “Amen” ?
If you do, they won't trick you and you can laugh!

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How is one born in order to be born human?
Through doing ones duty singularly and supremely!

Whatever do you mean by singularly and supremely?
Well, there's no loophole for ghosts to cheer!

So that everybody praises one, is that what you mean?
Just so nobody can put you down is enough!

That's all? Where's the honor in that?
I was never about honor, how disgusting!

What's the point of being human without honor?
There's a greater humanity beyond honor and fame!

What? How? I'm desperate to know.
No intoxication with honor or fame is what lasts forever!

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Hey, tell me, why ever are we born here?
If you're still selfish, you won't believe anything I say!

How about a hint, so I can float my boat in the stream?
Basically, naturally, we are born simply to be people!

Come on! Is that really all there is to it?
If one fully lives up to the name, it's abundantly fruitful!

What sort of born is called “inhuman” ?
The birth that wastes the life one's been given!

How is one born so that this life isn't wasted?
Do not in any way transgress the duty of being human.

How is one born to the fullest standard of humanity?
Firmly commit to the duty of Dhamma people!

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If you like me, you must like my friend, too; 
he helps to keep me happy and refreshed.

He's been a comrade in birth, aging, illness, and death; 
regard him as a worthy companion along the path.

In these long-lasting spinning cycles of Samsara, 
before we reach Sivalaya^* revealing the dawn

Of voidness realized in a heart thoroughly freed 
by finally letting go of every last thing.

We humans knowing so much have long-lasting desires; 
animals are more calm and joyful — how amusing.

Whenever we finally reach “The End,”
we'll have traveled and finished the path together!

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(*) Sivalaya: Coolness, a traditional synonym for Nibbana, sometimes referred to metaphorically as a place.

People language, Dhamma language, why such a mess?
It helps preserve language, little brother!

Isn't people language by itself good enough?
It can never express Dhamma that is profound!

What kind of stuff is spoken in people language?
Simple matters that people understand without thinking!

You mean people just listen and need not reflect?
Even if they must think, they use people meanings!

And what stuff is spoken in Dhamma language?
Those that lead into the Path & its Fruits!

But who can understand such queer sounding stuff?
Realizers of Dhamma savor it deeply in their hearts!

People language is for people, isn't that true?
The more they talk, the further from truth they are!

And where will Dhamma language lead us?
The more one speaks it, the closer to Dhamma's heart!

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Brother, what good do you see in me?
Little brother, who can know the heart of another!

So why do we become intimate & love each other?
It's much more peaceful & easy than hating each other!

Brother, what do you want me to do?
Just don't mess anything up!

Is that enough for you to stand by me?
Well, if there's no dukkha, what more do you want!

Are you implying that I still suffer dukkha?
If you desire fame, status, or acceptance, there's dukkha for sure!

So if we aim for what is lowly happiness is assured?
All I'm asking is that you don't mess up; figure out the rest!

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Well, Brother, do you have any Dhamma to discuss?
Babbling all the time, lil' bro', you'll go crazy!

For what reasons do you say such a thing?
Dhamma is here to be practiced!

If we don't study, then how can we practice?
Infatuated with studies you'll only get stuck!

Shouldn't we ask questions according to our doubts?
You think an obsessive questioner can grasp the Dhamma!

You mean discussions and debates are worthless?
Merely the celebrations of those who boast until dawn!

How then can we appreciate Dhamma's profundity?
Catch all the angles and tricks of dukkha every time!

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The Nation, Religion, and Royalty
together make up the broad “Thai Identity”
with mothers, fathers, teachers,
and the monks connecting all the virtues.

Hurry to summon Thai strength without doubts,
not turning away from morals as supporting action
extending long lives as a sign of merit
that upholds “Thainess” securely.

Not recklessly intoxicated with our fame
as if addicted to an opium of infatuation,
or will forever crush Thai without even knowing,
whoever aims to protect Thainess should consider well.

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For what reason is the world as hot as sleeping in fire?
Just because it doesn't have any coolness, of course!

For what reason, dear brother, is coolness lacking?
For the simple reason that people love heat before coolness.

I beg of you, tell me, why do they love heat so much more?
Because they think hot stuff is more delicious, they can't see!

When, then, will our hearts ever fall in love with coolness?
When we recognize the demonic side of all the hot stuff!

What must we do to see the demon in delicious things?
Listen to your parents, just a bit, from when you're young!

What if our parents don't understand any better than us?
Then, heat will teach you after it's burned you to a crisp!

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