Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva

Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva: Verse 12

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Photo by Bermix Studio on Unsplash

Even if someone, driven by want,

Steals or makes someone else steal everything you own.

Dedicate to him, your body, your wealth, and

All the good you have done, or will ever do — this is the practice of the bodhisattva.

When someone stole your identity, life turned into hell

The hours spent trying to straighten things out were a nightmare.

But something even worse had happened once before, that robbery last year.

You’ll never forget how you felt.

Invaded, ashamed, it’s all your own fault, how could you have let that happen?

Your mother always said: “You’re so careless!”

The home you loved was gone, the key you’d held so close stopped working.

The car that sat in front of the house — gone, with no replacement.

Every cent’s been withdrawn from your account at the local bank.

For hours you were pacing and planning revenge: This outrage just can’t go unpunished.”

You think you care about money and all your possessions

Watching what’s yours — jealously on guard 24/7.

Stop. Breathe deeply, don’t let anger destroy you.

Revenge turns around and bites you — then bleeding, it consumes you in a terrible fire.

If someone desperate and hungry appears at your door,

Pack everything up, good riddance, you’re tired of being a guard dog.

More likely someone shows up who can’t think for himself, his mind an utter blank.

Do the same thing — turn everything over.

All the books you were thinking of writing, every song you’d hope to sing

Every poem you were always planning to compose.

You’ve handed it over — and instead of anger, hatred, revenge,

Great peace absorbs you, you’re aglow with compassion,

But will you be enlightened?

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