Buddha in repose at Sarnath (Varanasi); photo by Anuj Kumar, taken from Google Maps
To leave a life of wealth and power
And enter a sea of suffering and pain
To wander, begging bowl in hand
While its cause and cure to find;
Enlightenment at last beneath a tree:
For these reasons I revere thee
And would have your wisdom guide me.
Suffering brought by material wants
Torments by our hidden dreams
But quiet the clamouring body and mind
And a shining inner peace we find.
Welcome all with compassionate heart
And to all be kind
Find detachment through meditation
And eschew extreme’s exhilaration.
The Eight-Fold Path indeed is noble
A recipe for peace that’s global.
May we all awake to Buddha
Wordcount: 109
Written for What Pegman Saw: Varanasi, India
crispina kemp 
Wonderfully done.
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I thank you, Dale. And you might guess, as soon as we saw the destination, I’d go for Buddha
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I might have…
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I turned to Buddhism when, in my teens, I kicked western religions. Buddhism is a path to follow (and occasionally stray from), not a label that others can use as a handle.
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I have to admit I am curious about Buddhism as it seems like the only religion that has not started nor participated in any war…
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Perhaps not the only one. But to follow the recommended path … what chance of war? And it’s not a religion as in church attendance, and baptism and stuff. I’m sure many people combine it with the usual western religions. Also, there’s no attempt to explain creation, though it might be noted over the centuries it has adopted certain Hindu myths.
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No, I know it’s not. Part of its appeal
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So read up on it. You might find it brings calm to your life. And there’s no one waiting with a whip if for a while you stray. Indeed, from my own experience, I’d say each return is easier, each temptation less … tempting. In the end you follow the way without realising.
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I remember thinking this is nice when I watched the movie on Tina Turner. Anything is better than all the doctrine that I don’t believe in
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Precisely. Must we pay lip service to something just because of where we’re born? Easier for me; Britain is now a land of heathens (except for a growing community of Muslims)
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Which are also heathens! All organised religion in my opinion
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Many who practice wicca do so alone. But I know what you mean. It’s structured. with gods. What I question about wicca is how, because a statue is given flowers and incence is burned, does that help the Earth bloom and survive? These are rites to comfort the practitioner, not for the sake of any god/goddedd.
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wow! This is an impressive piece. I mirror your desire to emulate the Buddha. But find myself lacking daily….
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That’s what’s meant by self-observance. Observe oneself, recognise and acknwowldege, but don’t beat yourself up, just keep going To strive is to desire, and desire is the root of pain and suffering
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Very nice. I have been to Sarnath and have seen the Buddha in repose. I read a lot about him in History and still reading, I respect him a lot. His sayings inspire and motivate me a lot🙂
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He ought to be a role model for us all; someone to emulate
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Exactly🙂
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Beautifully written Crispina 🙂🌼
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I thank you, Jen
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You’re welcome, Crispina 🙂
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Big smiles.
And don’t mind me if I fail to reply; erractic internet today 🙂
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Is it a Holiday there today?
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Whitsun. Town busy with holidaymakers and daytrippers with their various devices.
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So you won’t be going into town I bet.
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No way. i’m writing.
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Nice 🙂 Me too. Looking forward to reading. 😊
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Nicely done!
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I thank you, Susan
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There is much that is good and wise in Buddha’s teaching; it can help everybody. I liked your verse.
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I thank you, Penny
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Most excellent! There is much to love about Buddhism and this is both a tribute and an education.
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I thank you, Karen. It was a pleasure to share.
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An excellent piece for such a fabulous statue. The reclining Buddha and peace are so intertwined, and I love how you captured that.
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I thank you.
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great post 🙂
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I thank you. 🙂
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No problem 🙂 check out my blog when you get the chance 😄
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Will do. When I get the chance. Not today. Today has been crazy.
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Lovely poem. I like the image too.
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Poem came first; I had to search for the image, though it is from Google Maps
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Oh that is lovely. 🙂
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I thank you. Written from the heart
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Stunning crimson prose. Stunningly simple. Stunningly deep. A recipe for inner peace for all to enjoy. Thank you.
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Again, I bow my head. I thank you.
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