WAKE UP

Thay Thich Nhat Hanh's calligraphy

WAKE UP

At dawn, everything is just about to wake up

The wind howls in the stillness of this earthy place

The ocean is forever powerful

The waves crash into the shore,

The foams are as white as the clouds.

The ocean is vast, immense and sacred

It is as deep and wide as the love of our father

It is vast and limitless as the love of our mother

Looking at the ocean, I realize how tiny we really are

We are but a small stream, flowing into the big sea

A sea of compassion, a sea of wisdom and a sea of awakening

Life is beautiful and ever-changing,
Like today's rain following yesterday's sunshine

Life is a constant change and as fragile as a drop of dew, as sea foam or as evening clouds

But we are lucky because we have all the basic conditions for happiness

From your feet, your breath, your lips to your eyes

From your brain, your heart, your mind to your healthy hands

From the hope and encouragement of your friends and family

From the everlasting care and love from your parents and ancestors, 

Embedded with much pride, virtues and traditions

We must live to nourish our mind and heart

We must live to cultivate understanding, compassion and courage

We must live to make this world a better place for all.

Photos: from Tien Thach's fb.

For Vietnamese, click here. Đọc tiếng Việt bài thơ này ở đây.