A breeze blows through these trees,

Through leaves like those of the Ashok tree.

In a time long ago…

In the garden of Lumbini…

A prince was born into the world,

Far from the palace and the city.

Far from the bustling noise,

In the middle of natural beauty.

And so it was that my teacher was born,

One day to become a Buddha.

A blessed teacher of gods and humans,

A supreme merit to all humanity.

He who accomplished what was needed,

He who perfected great love and understanding.

He who gave life to a river of compassion,

That flows ceaselessly to the ocean.

Beneath the shade of the rose-apple tree,

Beneath the shade from my teacher’s robe.

Beneath the protection that lives in every breath,

I sit with my master… in joy and contentment.

I am a swan who needs a healer,

I am an elephant who needs calming,

I am a person who needs inspiration,

I am the poor who needs nourishing.

I am a king who needs nobility,

I am a god who needs humility,

I am a brother of all friends,

I am a sister of all people.

I am the space in your simple hut,

I am the Earth that you tread on,

I am the tree who brings you shade,

I am the foot within your footprint.

I am the air in your great lungs,

I am the clarity in your seeing,

I am your skilful teachings,

I am your smile in the morning.

A single thought of my teacher…

Closes the miles of time in an instant!

All that he has is mine to receive -

Unlimited support and understanding!

On this day of your celebration,

I rejoice in our great blessing.

To behold a Buddha on Earth,

Is to see a way beyond suffering!

— Luan Dinh

❧ Namo Buddhaya, Namo Dharmaya, Namo Sanghaya.