Dharma Gateway Poem by Harley White

Death, existence, come and go,
Like a tidal undertow...
Waves that toss us, winds that blow,
Raging storms and biting snow,
Hunger, anger, joy, and woe,
Hellish heat with burning glow...

Saints and sages 'in the know'
Quibble bookish quid pro quo.
Artful seekers high and low
Chase illusions to and fro,
Board their boats and row, row, row,
Partially-illumined, though...
Ever-present, apropos,
Where true wisdom waters flow,
Those mind-opened practice, show
That enlightenment will grow
From the lotus seeds they sow
(Equally for friend or foe)
Of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

Mortals here on planet Earth,
Do we see a being's worth?
Know the gateway to be free?
Realize where lies the key?

Ancient Buddhist scrolls unfurled,
Let us sense our inner world,
Walk around within, explore,
Enter through the Dharma door...

Lost will find what's gone amiss,
In despair, in want, or bliss...
Humankind at precipice,
Life itself abides in this
Single all-embracing phrase!
Sounds profound, astound, amaze...
Who recites it sings its praise,
Dark of nights and bright of days...

Utterness Dharma
Wholly revealed!
Sentient karma
Lastingly healed!

And we plod on... fast or slow,
With the work in progress, so
As to render what was heard,
Each and every golden word
Of the Oral Teachings by
Nichiren... that is, we try-
Plus some Buddha Writings, more
Handed down from ages yore,
Many from the olden store
Still as timely as before-
Thus to offer, help bestow
This Nam-myoho-renge-kyo...


[Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō]
[For Martin Bradley and Gerhard Lenz]

< September 3,2012 >