The Songs, Compositions, Poetry and Performances of Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan), Part 12 of a Multi-part Series

Though a renunciate has left worldly life in search of the Truth, the world is not easily forgotten. Thus, upon seeing changes in nature, the renunciate’s heart is bound to feel nostalgia. Between the line of life and death, of saintliness and mundaneness, a compassionate heart on the arduous path of Truth can’t help but feel anguish for the world.

“Spring has come, who could imagine! Time flies so fast, waiting for no one! What to wish for humanity in the New Year? The pen and paper are reluctant, verses hesitant...

Since I left home to search for the Tao The luminous moon has waxed and waned Thanks to a nightmare – from deep slumber awakened – Now looking back, the world is still adream!

I wish to follow the Kitchen God to his realm And view the world below like a chess game To find out where the king and knights have gone While helpless pawns noisily crowd the terrain.

Competing viciously for fame and profit Defaming one another just for rank and power! In sorrow, Saints hide in seclusion While devils parade with utter arrogance...

The Splendid and Glamorous Gatherings are still far away,

The universe is shrouded in gloom as if the end of time There is someone who sheds silent tears in long restless nights Feeling compassion for the beings in this desperate plight!”

The human fate is short-lived and illusory, thrusting humanity into the cycle of birth and death. Which is illusion? Which is real? The heart asks itself many a time.

“Last night I dreamt I was reciting the sutra Awakened, I suddenly realized I was the moon!

All the grains of sand in the Ganges The equivalent of lifetimes of transmigration!

Wandering, karma-ridden, pitiable... Bird was singing,

and dawn already arrived Time concealed all our hopes Naively we’ve been in deep slumber since eons ago.

The beautiful night was filled with dreams But now I already entered this earthly realm.

Tonight reciting the Diamond Sutra Illusory emptiness and existence, all shared with all beings.

In the dream, I saw a sparkling flower Now awakened, I smiled to myself Opening my arms, embracing the world of suffering,

But the heart knows of trepidation from countless lifetimes!

In the olden days bewildered was Chuang Tzu Between himself and the butterfly, who was looking at whom?

Now that spring comes, the spirit’s grieving Faded garment, as faded winters...

Let’s give us a rose For adornment in the midst of this river of life Its fragrance permeated with universal love I am mesmerized with passages from the old scripture.”

God is our beloved. God is our hope. God is our strength to reach for the stars. Yes, God is our all. But in this bustling world, how can we be reminded of our all-giving Creator?

“Do you know, my beloved Of a dreamy flower called Forget Me Not

Whose Color is a mysterious blue The Color of Heaven Of the Celestial firmament The hue of galaxies beyond The Color of love

Know or not know, Forget Me Not

Know or not know, Forget Me Not Forget Me Not.”