THE BUDDHA

Profound insights, depths of description of the inner life, a remarkable vision,

stories, analogies and poems flow from the lips of the Buddha. One of his great
gifts was his capacity to translate feelings, perceptions, thoughts and deepest
realisations into a clearly comprehensive language, free from religious and phi
losophical undertones. He was the master craftsman of the Word. His utterances 2
500 years ago on the nature of truth and human existence are as relevant today.
With this poem, one of his finest, he cut to the bone his teachings. Based on hi
s experience under the Bodhi Tree, he regarded the night hours as a precious opp
ortunity for awakening.
Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha
One Auspicious Night Discourse
Translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi
Wisdom Publications 1995
Boston,
USA.
Page 1039
Let not a person revive the past
Or on the future build his hopes
For the past has been left behind
and the future has not been reached.
Instead with insight let him see
Each presently arisen state,
Let him know that and be sure of it,
Invincibly and unshakeably.
Today the effort must be made;
Tomorrow Death may come, who knows?
No bargain with Mortality
Can keep him and his hordes away
But one who dwells thus ardently,
Relentlessly, by day and night
It is he, the Peaceful Sage has said,
Who has had a single excellent night.