I who would follow the Teachings of Buddha Should concentrate
earnestly morning and night With resolve in my heart, on these Teachings
the Buddha Has given to free us from suffering's grasp.
This is the first of the things to remember: Throughout all
the world there is nothing that's permanent. Even the Earth has the
nature of transience. Bodies are centers of sorrow and emptiness. All
of my parts are devoid of self, Are dependent on causes and therefore
impermanent, Changing, decaying and out of control. Expectations of
permanence cause disappointment, Forming attachments that lead to
wrongdoing. Observing the world in this light, may I daily progress
toward freedom from birth and from death.
This is the second thing I should remember: Excessive desire
only brings me to suffering. Birth and death, sorrow and weariness all
are from Greedy attachment to things of this world. But controlling
desire cuts the root of unhappiness, Leaving the body and mind to relax.
This is the third of the things to remember: Insatiable
cravings for things of this world Only cause me to pile up more useless
possessions, Increasing my motives for sin and wrongdoing. A seeker of
freedom should let go of craving And, seeing it's uselessness, grow in
contentment. Rejecting life's baubles and seeking the Way I'll concern
myself only with gaining release.
This is the fourth of the things to remember: My laziness
leads to my own degradation. I always should work just as hard as I
can Because only by this can I solve all my problems And so be
released from the things that bedevil me, Finally escaping to Infinite
Light.
This is the fifth of the things to remember: The roots of
unhappiness spring from my ignorance. I who would follow the Buddha,
remember to Listen and read to develop my knowledge, So as to aid
other sufferers, hoping to Bring sentient beings Nirvana's release And
awaken them all to Enlightenment's bliss.
This is the sixth of the things to remember: Ill feeling is
often occasioned by poverty Leading to discord and further
unhappiness. Following Buddha's example, I always should Treat every
being with love and respect. Having malice toward none, I should dwell in
contentment And aid and encourage all beings to Peace.
This is the seventh thing I should remember: The passions
would lead me to sin and to sorrow, But students of Dharma won't drag
themselves down By relying on pleasure to bring themselves
happiness. Better to think of the monks in their robes, Who are happy
and free from the causes of misery. Seeing the benefits brought by the
Teachings, I firmly resolve to attain to Enlightenment, Being a
better example to others, In hopes that they also will gain this release.
This is the eighth of the things to remember: The flames of
existence are hard to escape from. They bring us to pain and to sorrow
unlimited. Thus I resolve to awake from my slumber And, feeling
concern for all sentient beings, Arouse in myself an intense
dedication Which lets me withstand all my pain with
forbearance, Avoiding taking it out on my neighbors But helping them,
too, to attain Perfect Peace.
These are the precepts that lead to enlightenment, This is
the path that was trod by the Buddhas, The great Boddhisattvas and
Buddha's disciples. The truths they remembered which brought them
release. I will follow them carefully, constantly try to Develop
compassion and wisdom together To help me escape to the opposite
shore Whereupon, freed from suffering, I can return To the realm of
Samsara in comfort and joy, Bringing freedom and peace to all sentient
beings. These statements are tools that will help me remember. In
order to follow the Teachings, I'll always Remember these eight ways of
looking at life, Gaining the wisdom and peace of Nirvana For only by
this will I always be free From the wheel of rebirth with its pain and
its sorrow, At last and forever to finally find rest.
