Any separation brings heart-wrenching anguish. Any departure, even if it’s to be liberated from reincarnation, still cannot forestall the love and yearning of those left behind.
“A holy Saint had returned to Heaven The flowered forest lamented in the autumn wind. You’d departed, so ever lightly as a feather Leaving this world, with all its form and illusion.”
In the poem “Sayonara,” poet Supreme Master Ching Hai alludes to the pen name of The Most Venerable Thích Mãn Giác, also known as poet Huyền Không, in the verse “Leaving this world, with all its form and illusion.”
He left this temporary place to return to the embrace of the All Merciful. Any parting brings sorrow to those left behind. However, the departure of someone who lived for the Truth and the world will undoubtedly leave a shining example for future generations. This poem reflects the loving heart of Supreme Master Ching Hai. It is respectfully dedicated to Zen Master Mãn Giác, and expresses the shared confidence between two souls with the same ideals of delivering sentient beings and serving the world.
In memory of The Most Venerable Thích Mãn Giác
“A holy Saint had returned to Heaven The flowered forest lamented in the autumn wind You’d departed, ‘so ever lightly as a feather’ Leaving this world, with all its form and illusion Reminiscing your kind, embracing and generous heart How you’d been to different lands, carefree! The sutra chanting still permeated with fragrance in the air But a saffron cassock billowing in the wind was no longer! Now that you’re gone, flowers withdraw their vibrant hues The temple of old in reflection silently bows You’ve gone to join the True Self A realm, precious as Udumbaras has manifested from a selfless mind”
With all the daily demands to keep up with, moral obligations to fulfill, social standards to conform to, and loved ones to please, life can feel very challenging at times. And when disasters and injustices pound upon you on top of that, it will be too much to endure. Then you will scream out loud, you will want to run away from it all, hoping to finally find a more peaceful, carefree, and happy world. “I can’t live in this confined world, Where people grab and control! I want to go beyond and above All these bondages and limits! I have to breathe The fragrant air of heaven.”
“I can’t live in this confined world, Where people grab and control! I want to go beyond and above All these bondages and limits! I have to breathe The fragrant air of heaven. I have to go Where the wind gently blows
Let me live, Let me grow. Let me be ME! However different However strange it might seem To thee. But my life belongs to me. I shall live the way that I’m pleased!
If you cannot gift peace do not stir up stormy sea. Let me be free! I’ll fly with the bird, I’ll rise with the sun I’ll dream on the surface of the moon And I’ll write poetry for the petals of wild orchids.
I’ll sing-shower in the cool rain of the first day of summer, I’ll climb forest-trees and float on the waves of the great ocean, I’ll paint the tender blades of the spring grass! I’ll frolic with the field-butterfly barefooted, I’ll play hide-and-seek With the fish in the river. I’ll sing folk songs in late night of the refreshing fall.
I’ll stroll in the friendly forest path! I’ll enjoy the succulent garden ripe fruits, They will just fall from the tree for me! I’ll live a life blooming with joy and happiness Leaving behind all injustice, slander! I’ll do the things, That you deem foolish and crazy. But I’ll so very like it!
Let me be Let me breathe! Oh Heaven, Oh God Hear me! Oh all Angels, Lift me!”
Life has much sorrow in all its reality. One can only dream to soothe a heart that has gone through stormy skies and misty memories. “Last night, I dreamt Of leaving life’s dust behind. Light-footed to paradise, Carefree for once” From the depth of illusion, one is released from life’s bindings to return to the lightness of carefree clouds and wind.
“Last night, I dreamt of restful sheets and pillows. As fragrant sandalwood wafting through the air. Heartfelt was the time when we were still together. When our love was still forever. Tonight, I’ve come home. Mountain rain trickles ceaselessly. Wheels roll over the lonely path. Clouds hang miserably. Last night, I dreamt I was a swan. Soaring above mountains. Drinking in the snow. Bathing in the rainbow. Feeling free again.
My darling! My beloved! The river flows tirelessly… Dream in the night! Tonight, I’ve come home. Mountain rain trickles ceaselessly. Wheels roll over the lonely path. Clouds hang miserably… Dream in the night.”
The world is but an inn where we sojourn for a little while; let us quicken to a place of eternal peace within our soul, in the loving embrace of our Merciful Father and Benevolent Mother. “Go go go, go to the Father Go go go, go to the Far Land Go go go, go to the Brother Go go go, go Home together...” Our true home is Heaven, a realm of everlasting harmony.
“Go go go, go to the future Go go go, go to Shangri-la Go go go, go to the Mother Go go go, above the stars
Oh glory, Peace and Harmony Oh glory, wish fulfilling Muni Oh glory, the Home of Masters Oh glory, the Great Wise Brothers
Hail, hail, hail, oh hail the Heroes Hail, hail, hail, oh hail the Angels
Go go go, go to the Father Go go go, go to the Far Land Go go go, go to the Brother Go go go, go Home together...”
