nembutsu.info Journal of Shin Buddhism

Poets Corner

Gregg Heathcote

Ham on the Bone

This actor's "sundry practice"
Exertion cramped in distraction
Self-working not working
'Illusion' indeed 'ill in play'

"Great practice" ever extempore
Recollection eruptive at ease
No-self in action working itself out
Illusion an illusion positively at play

Sundry are my many parts in practice
Peace of mind in presence tense
But Greatness is thrust upon my working illusion
Playing up self-ridden Namo Amida Butsu

Bombu persona so practicable
Dharmakara's make-believe deviant dramatic
Truth to itself on stage
And all the world's acting Amida

(© Copyright Gregg Heathcote, 2 October 2001)

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