Oldest Pagoda And Mourners Tanka Poem by Chen-ou Liu

written on the eve of a cremation ceremony held for Thich Nhat Hanh, founder of engaged Buddhism and peace activist

oldest pagoda
silhouetted against twilight sky
wave upon wave
of mourners moving
in meditative silence

FYI: Thich Nhat Hanh's coffin has been on display in a week-long funeral at Tu Hieu, one of Vietnam's largest and oldest pagodas, drawing tens of thousands of mourners including orange and yellow-robed monks. A cremation ceremony will take place on Saturday... 'Thousands mourn Vietnamese Zen master and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh, ' Reuters, Jan.28