Tiny Minority

Yutang Lin

Life is fragile
All living will end in death
Life is evanescent
In a short while it will turn inanimate

Those living right this moment
No matter how numerous they are
Sooner or later will belong to the departed ones

Since there was life on this earth
How many long ages have passed we don't know
So, probably we could reckon that
When compared with those departed
The ones still living are a tiny minority
And are constantly joining the rank and file of those deceased

Our minds are used to
Being preoccupied with those in this tiny minority
If we can observe the Dharmadhatu as it is
It seems that we should pay more attention to those
Among the absolutely great majority
Who are silently lurking in the obscure background

Written in Chinese on August 7, 2009
Translated on August 8, 2009
El Cerrito, California

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