Vesak: Buddha’s Birthday, Enlightenment and Nirvana.

Today is Buddha’s Birthday.

All of us

Sincerely and respectfully offer our bows.

We heartfully rejoice

And deeply appreciate

The coming of the Buddha into this world,

For the love of humankind.

Sentient beings are immersed

In the ocean of suffering,

Incessant cycle of birth and death:

When are we liberated?

The Boat of Compassion is leaving the shore

To enter the sea of delusion

To save sentient beings

And deliver them to the shore of enlightenment.

In the dark night of ignorance,

We do not know the Path.

Holding a torch, He leads the Way

Back to our Original Home.

The World Honored One manifested himself

Under a Sala Tree:

Newly born,

He took seven steps.

Lotus flowers bloomed under His feet,

Celestial music joyfully resounded

To celebrate the World’s Savior

Coming into the world.

Joyfull news was spread

From the city to the country,

All cheered happily,

Like rain coming to end a drought,

Like a child welcoming his mother.

He grew up,

Living in comfort and luxury,

Being a Crown Prince,

He was not satisfied.

Golden pavilions, jade palaces,

He was not attached.

A beautiful wife, a loving child,

He was not bonded.

Deeply concerned,

For the love of humankind.

Then, one night,

He crossed the gate and ordained himself.

Looking to learn from the Devas,

His wish was not fulfilled.

Determined to practice asceticism,

Would it help Him attain the Way?

Six long years

Only brought exhaustion.

Abandoning ascetism,

He arrived at the Bodhi Tree.

Vowing that here,

If not achieving enlightenment,

Bones crushed, flesh mashed,

He would not leave.

On the forty-ninth night,

The morning Star just arose,

His Great Way flashed,

Complete Enlightenment!

The source of birth and death,

The root of ignorance,

Eradicated, broken

Without a trace.

He then proclaimed:

Enlightenment attained,

The Great Omniscient One!

Minding sentient beings

Bobbing in the ocean of delusion,

He traveled to teach

For almost forty years,

Unceasingly.

Many attained the fruit of the Way,

Arhats numerous,

Bodhisattvas and Deities countless.

The True Dharma from then on

Was spread far and wide,

Eliminating delusion and attachement,

Purifying evil beings,

Opening the eyes of sentient beings,

So they could see the clear sky.

East, west, south, north,

All over this Human World,

Everyone would be satisfied

And enjoy the taste of liberation.

At age eighty,

He went to the Sala forest.

Under the two trees,

The World Honored One entered the Birthless and Deathless Realm.

The Sangha mourned.

The Deities grieved.

Conditions ended,

The Buddha rested in Nirvana.

Such lofty favors and bountiful merits,

How could we ever return?

Only trying to cultivate,

to achieve the fruit of the Way.

Lighting the lamp, passing down the flame,

Continuously from generation to generation without cessation;

Returning the Buddha’s favors?

They are not expected to be returned to the Buddhas!

Teaching and transforming sentient beings

Mean returning Their great kindness.

We sincerely vow

To progress in our practice

And awaken the Buddha within.

Sentient beings are living in delusion,

We should strive to enlighten.

Sentient beings are undergoing suffering,

We must bring them happiness,

Not neglecting any single individual;

Only then is our original vow fulfilled.

Homage to Master of the Human World Fundamental Teacher, Sakyamuni Buddha!