Dear Comrades by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu

The Teacher: Buddhadasa Bhikkhu

Picture From Suan Mokkh: The Garden of Liberation

Dear Comrades

Comrades, there is no “us” to be found 

but in a careless slip "us" comes to be. 

Once awareness recovers, “us” disappears. 

Ending this “us” business is good for all.

Dear Comrade, why not remove the "us"-ing 

and, while you’re at it, the "them"-ing, too. 

Living only with wisdom and kindness; 

don't let "us" and "them" hang around.

Information From : Suan Mokkh: The Garden of Liberation

Living with a Free Heart by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu

The Teacher: Buddhadasa Bhikkhu

Living with a Free Heart 

Do all kinds of work with a free heart 

Freely giving all the fruits to voidness* 

Eat the food of voidness as the noble ones do

Dying to oneself from the very start

Whoever can let go in these ways

Need never endure suffering and hardship

Whoever fulfills this “Art of Living”

Finds a “trick” that brings complete well-being 

* Sunyata, voidness or emptiness, is in terms of selfishness, defilement, “self,” and suffering. All virtues may manifest in voidness, 

but not as “me” or “mine.”

Information From : Suan Mokkh: The Garden of Liberation

Gratitude Saves the World by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu

Buddhadasa Bhikkhu

Be someone who is grateful, knowing the world's virtues.

It gives all the goods and resources we need:

rice and salt, grass and vegetables, fish and fruit, and more.

Know how to draw upon it without ruining any of it.

Furthermore, person to person, each and all of us,

without exception have value for each other, deep and vast.

Consider well the truth that makes it possible for the world

to survive — because all kinds know the value of others.

The Nation — The Religion — The Monarchy*

together make up the enormous Soul of the Thai people.

We survive through caring for each other, hearts bound

together because gratitude fills them to the brim.

* The Pillars of national unity promoted by Thai governments.

Information From : Suan Mokkh: The Garden of Liberation

The Silent Mind Listens to Grass Speak

In memory of Buddhadasa Bhikkhu

Lord Buddha, once awakened, with silent mind

hears revelations from the myriad things,

As if clamouring to report through themselves

that there is nothing at all worth grasping

And clinging to as "I", "myself", or "mine".

Never dream of owning any of them _ what foolishness!

Taking these selfless things to be "I" or "me"

brings only sadness, soreness and sorrow.

Even the rocks, sand, soil, trees and grass

sound this song through every nook and cranny;

Yet, the busy-minded don't understand or suspect

that everything sings out Dharma's lesson.

With silent mind one hears even the leaves of grass

counselling each other with this beautiful, witty fact:

"All beings may dance at ease in the breeze with minds

left silent by laying to rest all things."

[translated by santikaro bhikkhu]

จิตว่างได้ยินหญ้าพูด 

พระพุทธะตรัสรู้จิตอยู่ว่าง

ได้ยินสิ่งทุกอย่างแถลงไข 

เหมือนมันฟ้องตัวเองเซ็งแซ่ไป 

ว่าไม่มีสิ่งไหนน่ายึดเอา

มาเพื่อเป็นตัวกูและของกู 

อย่าหลงตู่มันเข้าเพราะความเขลา

เอาของเป็นอนัตตามาเป็นเรา 

จะต้องเศร้าโศกระบบตรมใจแรง

แม้กรวดดินหินไม้และใบหญ้า 

ล้วนแต่ส่งเสียงจ้าทุกหัวระแหง

คนจิตวุ่นไม่เข้าใจไม่ระแวง 

ว่าทุกสิ่งร้องแสดงบทพระธรรม

ครั้นจิตว่างจะได้ยินแม้ใบหญ้า 

มันปรึกษาข้อความที่งามขำ

ว่า "ทำไฉนสัตว์ทั้งหลายจะร่ายรำ 

ด้วยจิตว่างเพราะวางธรรมทั้งปวงเอย"

Information From : http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/economics/17351/