nembutsu.info Journal of Shin Buddhism

Poets Corner

Gregg Heathcote

Singing grief's counsel in lament and reprise

Listen in to the weary world's turning.
Rest assured of strength for which you dare not hope.
With nembutsu fear not taking to heart your greatly sorrowing joys.
Before and beyond you throw to the Amida what so wildly calls his aid.
Wide are the Pure Land plains upon which all wondrously gather,
but personally terrible is the lostness unavoidably felt along the way.
Nevertheless are all in time gathered in together.
Pure and accommodating is the naturalness of Compassion's patiently unfolding power.
Namo Amida Butsu.
In mind within Oya's aid of ones so lost,
Namo Amida Butsu.

( © Copyright Gregg Heathcote, 2 June 2004 )

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