Which Is Heavy, Which Is Light?

Yutang Lin

Impermanence is constantly pushing; how could it be delayed?
Illusions of Worldly life would cease in a blink of an eye.
Which is heavy, Which is light? It is up to each ones choice.
Pace after pace, further and further, each one walks on separate ways.
Deeply dyed in worldly ways, still reluctant to renounce;
Lightly incensed with the Dharma, already out of entanglement?
Wishing to attain emancipation, do not postpone till too late.
One mind set on Bodhi, only then could success be expected!

Comment:

Getting out of entanglement or sinking into swamps of sorrows, both are results of long-term evolution. One should choose ones direction based on the awareness of the imminence of impermanence. Which is heavy and which is light? One needs to make a clear and definite decision on choosing the Dharma or the worldly ways. Usually in the cases of those who attempt to walk in the footsteps of the Buddha and yet remain far behind, it is because they cannot sincerely set Bodhicitta as the center of their lives.

Written in Chinese: September 20, 1998
Translated: August 18, 1999
El Cerrito, California

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