Just Behind the Curtain

Just Behind the Curtain

Look, the Buddha is behind the curtain,
throughout eternity, don’t you see?
Baying & searching like hounds day & night
without a clue where to look, so far away.

Just brush the curtain aside a foot or two,
with a start, you’ll shake and tremble.
Who knows if you’ll recognize what you see,
if you can, you’ll be so happy — “he’s right here!”

Come on, all of you, push the curtain aside,
stop being foolish, stubborn, and superstitious.
Destroy the curtain of ignorance, and quit
making excuses you’re not smart or good enough.


Shambhala Karmapa Rumtek Karma Kagyu Tibetan Buddhism Theravada Tibetan Buddhism in Chicago Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche Pema Chodron

Better For Being Cursed

Better For Being Cursed

Isn't it funny that I'm much better for being reviled?
It delights me the more that they curse me.
No matter how badly they lay into me, I don't mind.
Don't worry, things aren't as bad as they claim.

Whoever has something good, others will envy.
They'll look for something to pick apart and despise,
Once their mouths tire they'll clam up on their own.
As they get noisier, I challenge them to revile at will!

I'm someone who has benefited from being cursed.
All their nasty words have turned into blessings.
However they revile none of it turns out to be true,
So I get all the benefits of their curses, isn't it fun?!

Shambhala Karmapa Rumtek Karma Kagyu Tibetan Buddhism Theravada Tibetan Buddhism in Chicago Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche Pema Chodron

No More Enemies

No More Enemies

Enemies are those who provoke and test us,
So that we can learn how good we really are
Or are only good enough to flame up with anger,
Unable to rest the heart for even a moment.

Enemies are those who creatively bestow upon us
A mind that ponders and recognizes that patience,
Toleration, and endurance are truly holy --
Without patience we become hell demons right here.

Enemies are those who teach us the truths
That ill-will and vengeance are filthy waters.
Don't hold them in bruising the heart, you'll
Just toss and spin in the seas of Samsara ever longer.

So it is that enemies bestow upon us great benefits;
then, why do they become evil doers in our minds?
Not knowing how to receive, we just follow habits;
Learn how to receive, friends, and enemies disappear!

Shambhala Karmapa Rumtek Karma Kagyu Tibetan Buddhism Theravada Tibetan Buddhism in Chicago Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche Pema Chodron

Listen, You Anger Experts

Listen, You Anger Experts

If you still get angry, out-of-control with a whiff of evil,
because you grasp "me," anger can erupt from within.
Without any "me" to love or wish for anything
how could we get angry at anyone -- consider!

This is reason enough to keep a lid on this "me".
Don't let it birth itself as such a pretty spirit.
Possessing your heart till its messed up with "me"
Throwing tantrums and pestering loved ones.

The tree of anger is sweet at its base but
its bitter poison overflows at the extremes.
Care for me, please gather around and listen,
don't risk doing business with anger,
it's punishment is severe.


Shambhala Karmapa Rumtek Karma Kagyu Tibetan Buddhism Theravada Tibetan Buddhism in Chicago Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche Pema Chodron

Mocking Sky, Daring Earth

Mocking Sky, Daring Earth

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.

Shambhala Karmapa Rumtek Karma Kagyu Tibetan Buddhism Theravada Tibetan Buddhism in Chicago Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche Pema Chodron

More Progress = More Crazy

More Progress = More Crazy

If we say, "the more progress, the more insane,"
It looks rather hard that we'll find any takers,
Because everyone likes progress that exceeds reality --
Progress like a spirit possession is even better!

The world progresses beyond its means and Nature breaks up
Many strange things changing the world sorrowfully,
Making humans into an extraordinary species
Caught up in killing both above and below the ground.

The more progress, the more it boils and bathes in blood;
The smarter, the more sinful, far worse than the stone age;
Creating tortuous problems proliferating endlessly,
The whole world clings to craziness as progress.

Shambhala Karmapa Rumtek Karma Kagyu Tibetan Buddhism Theravada Tibetan Buddhism in Chicago Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche Pema Chodron

The More One Brags of Being Straight, The More Deeply Crooked One Turns Out

The More One Brags of Being Straight, The More Deeply Crooked One Turns Out

The straighter you try to be, the more deeply crooked
Turns out a hidden, secret enemy surprisingly nasty.

Wanting to be straight, to show off and succeed --
How straight is it really? Come on, be honest.

One brags "straight" according to what they praise
Too straight one sinks into the strict mess created

Wanting to be straight so that somebody will accept us
So that this little kid will grow up for once.

A mind clear enough to let it all go,
Not seeing a problem between straight and bent.

Beyond crooked & straight not deceived by "me" or "it"
So purely at peace, freed of the world, unburdened.


Shambhala Karmapa Rumtek Karma Kagyu Tibetan Buddhism Theravada Tibetan Buddhism in Chicago Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche Pema Chodron

You Just Create Mara Yourself

You Just Create Mara Yourself

Mara exists when we want things good or to get,
Even wanting to die Mara exists most peculiarly,
Because the grasping of "ME" is so excessive
Desire in all its guises never falls into disuse.

If there's no wanting to get or be anything
How could Mara exist? So why not oppose it!
Don't go wanting anything through not knowing,
Then no Mara will ever appear before you!

Think, speak, and do everything with wisdom
You don't really need to crave anything, now, do you?
Without desires it's so much more cool & peaceful,
What Mara could happen then? There's just no way!

Shambhala Karmapa Rumtek Karma Kagyu Tibetan Buddhism Theravada Tibetan Buddhism in Chicago Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche Pema Chodron

Fighting with Pillows

Fighting with Pillows

A thin pillow makes it easy and pleasant to sleep supine!
With a thick pillow you're afraid to die unexpectedly,
With neck broken in a snap, made ready for the coffin.
How much more comfortable to sleep on one's side!

Thus, Dear Father, rules over two or three fluffy pillows
Spooking himself in multifarious ways about aches and pains
just to excuse padding his body!
Don't even bother with them, they're a waste of energy.
Whether on one's side or back, use an arm for support!

Sleeping just enough, not lingering after the pleasure
One finds in sleep, not wanting to get up. It's a brain
Disease lead by defilements inflating the heart
Until we need far too many luxuries for our own good.

Shambhala Karmapa Rumtek Karma Kagyu Tibetan Buddhism Theravada Tibetan Buddhism in Chicago Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche Pema Chodron

There's No "Me"!

There's No "Me"!

"Me" myself doesn't really exist,
So where will you find "my wife and kids"?
Not to mention "my wealth" or "my stuff"?
Because I don't even have a "self" of my own!

If those are the facts, then whatever is it that
Excites and sends body-mind moving around?
It's just body-mind, haven't you noticed?
Don't you know that body-mind is not "self"?

It's merely wonderful, profound natural change
That thinks, feels, speaks, and acts according to causes
Just ordinary blind aggregates and elements
Don't idiotically assume that "Me" exists.

Shambhala Karmapa Rumtek Karma Kagyu Tibetan Buddhism Theravada Tibetan Buddhism in Chicago Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche Pema Chodron

Unselfishness

Unselfishness

Unselfishness showers others with good fruits
With ease one always gives freely
Before long, the world is full of friends
A world of flowing riches and suffused kindness

Without selfishness, loving kindness emerges naturally
Naturally considerate, naturally applying Dhamma in all actions
No chance of killing, of stealing, of sexually abusing
No deceiving and no interest in getting drunk.

Without selfishness there’s no self to grasp
That’s the end of the source of all afflictive emotions
Incapable of greed, hatred, and delusion, maintaining
Mind-body clean, clean, and calm approaching Nibbana.

Shambhala Karmapa Rumtek Karma Kagyu Tibetan Buddhism Theravada Tibetan Buddhism in Chicago Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche Pema Chodron

No Clinging, No Biting

No Clinging, No Biting

Even if you don't cling to the goodness you've done,
It still gives good results in return.
Even if you don't cling to the evil you possess,
Further evil is fed according to its nature.

Non-clinging is far better in not biting;
It can be quiet, peaceful, settled, and circumspect.
As soon as you grab something it turns and bites;
Good and evil both bite, to that I can attest.

Non-clinging isn't the least bit heavy,
Delightfully free of any power to entrap.
The least clinging, jumps you into the pits
Gnawing at the roots and every rung of the heart!

Shambhala Karmapa Rumtek Karma Kagyu Tibetan Buddhism Theravada Tibetan Buddhism in Chicago Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche Pema Chodron

Clinging Surely Bites

Clinging Surely Bites

Like clinging? Well, be careful, it will bite!
As foolishness grabs hold, craving always arises
Then clinging binds and strangles the spirit.
Before you know it, you'll go crazy in a wink.

Cling to anything and that very thing bites:
Food, fun, or fame, anything whether ugly or sweet;
Even children, wife, husband, and other loved ones;
Good or evil, virtue or vice -- you ought to know.

Even the most exquisitely delicious joy of your mind
No matter how peaceful and subtle, if it's clung to
Suddenly changes into an ogre that turns on you
To gobble you up with that happiness -- don't be a fool!


Shambhala Karmapa Rumtek Karma Kagyu Tibetan Buddhism Theravada Tibetan Buddhism in Chicago Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche Pema Chodron

All Day Long I Don't Do Anything

All Day Long I Don't Do Anything

"All day long I don't do anything!"
Because of clearly understanding
That this "I" has no self.
Body & mind may act and create results,
Whether a little, a lot, or overflowing,
Then turn it all over to body & mind.

There's no way that "I" does, "I" gets,
Or "I" profits or loses or wins --
Poor little, agitated, restless "Me."
For this reason, I can claim
I live prosperously, luxuriously,
All day long without doing nothing!

I keep reminding myself always
To be mindful of mind not
Letting "me" or "mine" flare up.
Even when a project fulfills all wishes,
Don't go tricking yourself that
"I" did it … what a joke!


Shambhala Karmapa Rumtek Karma Kagyu Tibetan Buddhism Theravada Tibetan Buddhism in Chicago Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche Pema Chodron

Grateful to Nature

Grateful to Nature

I am convinced, and never
forget, that I was born
merely to work,
according to causes and circumstances,
for both you and I to know
and conquer the world, vanishing sorrow.

Nature created us complete
with thriving body-mind —
boundless thanks to Nature.
Tho’ it created me to be born, age,
and die, it created me
able to compete and thrive.

Dedicated to every duty,
pressing forward without pause
to reach the end before anyone else.
When friends just go to sleep
I am most diligent
as if chased from behind.

Shambhala Karmapa Rumtek Karma Kagyu Tibetan Buddhism Theravada Tibetan Buddhism in Chicago Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche Pema Chodron

Let's Eat Time Together

Let's Eat Time Together

Look well, friends, the difference between night & day
Is nothing to get excited about — study this well!
Contemplate deeply as the wise ones do,
Seeing it's all just "time," with the same value.

Whether bright or dark, don't stretch or compress
Time into shorter or longer with your desires
That devour and digest the lives of beings.
Please be careful not to let it chew you to bits.

In other words, have no "Me" that is "Mine"
To live or to die. Drop your foolish worries,
Empty the mind of Ego & I, realize Voidness —
That's how to eat time & kill it thoroughly.

Shambhala Karmapa Rumtek Karma Kagyu Tibetan Buddhism Theravada Tibetan Buddhism in Chicago