Venice masks

Friday, 2 May 2025

Birth, Old Age, Sickness, Death - Dieu Nhan


Birth, old age, sickness, death
Are commonplace and natural.
Should we seek relief from one,
Another will surely consume us.
Blind are those praying to Buddha,
Duped are those praying in Zen.
Pray not in Zen or to Buddha,
Speak not. Linger with silence.

Dieu Nhan (Buddhist nun, 1041-1113)
Translated by Huu Ngoc (Lady Borton)
Source: Zocalo Poets

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