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Jan 1948 - Mar 2010
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Alan Peck
The Buddha said:
This existence of ours is as transient as autumn clouds
To watch the birth and death of beings is like looking at the movements of a dance.
A lifetime is like a flash of lightning in the sky,
Rushing by, like a torrent down a steep mountain.
THE ONLY THING WE REALLY HAVE IS NOWNESS, IS NOW.
What the caterpillar perceives as the end, to the butterfly is just the beginning.
This existence of ours is as transient as autumn clouds
To watch the birth and death of beings is like looking at the movements of a dance.
A lifetime is like a flash of lightning in the sky,
Rushing by, like a torrent down a steep mountain.
THE ONLY THING WE REALLY HAVE IS NOWNESS, IS NOW.
What the caterpillar perceives as the end, to the butterfly is just the beginning.
Alan M Peck
Jan 1948 - Mar 2010
It is with the most profound sadness that we inform you about the death of Alan Peck who died on Wednesday evening, 3rd March 2010. The premature passing of such a gentle man, a sincere practitioner and lineage holder is an immense loss.
The Dalai Lama
Every day, think as you wake up: Today I am fortunate to have woken up. I am alive, I have a precious human life. I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others, to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.
Eternity, William Blake
He who binds to himself a joy
Does the winged life destroy;
But he who kisses the joy as it flies
Lives in eternity's sun rise.
Does the winged life destroy;
But he who kisses the joy as it flies
Lives in eternity's sun rise.
Alan's sites
Not In Vain: Emily Dickinson
If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain:
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
I shall not live in vain:
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
Thich Nhat Hanh
Contemplation on No-Coming and No-Going
This body is not me
I am not limited by this body.
I am life without boundaries
I have never been born,
And I have never died.
Look at the ocean and the sky filled with stars, manifestations from my wondrous mind. Since before time, I have been free.
Birth and death are only doors through which we pass, sacred thresholds on our journey. Birth and death are a game of hide and seek.
So laugh with me,
Hold my hand,
Let us say goodbye
Say goodbye to meet again soon.
We meet today, we will meet again tomorrow. We meet at the source every moment. We meet each other in all forms of life.
This body is not me
I am not limited by this body.
I am life without boundaries
I have never been born,
And I have never died.
Look at the ocean and the sky filled with stars, manifestations from my wondrous mind. Since before time, I have been free.
Birth and death are only doors through which we pass, sacred thresholds on our journey. Birth and death are a game of hide and seek.
So laugh with me,
Hold my hand,
Let us say goodbye
Say goodbye to meet again soon.
We meet today, we will meet again tomorrow. We meet at the source every moment. We meet each other in all forms of life.
Ajahn Chah Food for the heart
This body and mind are impermanent. Having come into being they disappear, having arisen they pass away and yet everyone wants them to be permanent. This is foolish. Having been born, we die. That is totally natural and normal. It is because conditions have done their job. As soon as we are born, we are dead. Our birth and our death are just one thing. You cannot have one without the other. Birth is death, death is birth.
This is not our real home; it is only a temporary shelter. Having come into this world, we should contemplate its true nature. Everything is preparing to disappear. This is nature, the way things are. When their time is up conditions go their way. In this world there is nothing to rely on. It is an endless round of pleasure and pain. There is no peace.
So understand this point. All people, all creatures are preparing to leave. When beings have lived an appropriate time, they must go on their way. It is just the way the world is. Knowing in this way you can let go of attachment, letting go with a mind that is neither happy nor sad, but at peace with conditions through seeing their changing nature with wisdom. "All conditions are impermanent". Our real home is inner peace.
Ajahn Chah was a Buddhist teacher from the Thai Forest tradition. In 1982 Ajahn Chah fell very ill. He was paralysed but for some slight movement in one hand. He had lost the power of speech but could still blink his eyes. He remained in this state for 10 years. During this time it was said that he was still teaching his students.
This is not our real home; it is only a temporary shelter. Having come into this world, we should contemplate its true nature. Everything is preparing to disappear. This is nature, the way things are. When their time is up conditions go their way. In this world there is nothing to rely on. It is an endless round of pleasure and pain. There is no peace.
So understand this point. All people, all creatures are preparing to leave. When beings have lived an appropriate time, they must go on their way. It is just the way the world is. Knowing in this way you can let go of attachment, letting go with a mind that is neither happy nor sad, but at peace with conditions through seeing their changing nature with wisdom. "All conditions are impermanent". Our real home is inner peace.
Ajahn Chah was a Buddhist teacher from the Thai Forest tradition. In 1982 Ajahn Chah fell very ill. He was paralysed but for some slight movement in one hand. He had lost the power of speech but could still blink his eyes. He remained in this state for 10 years. During this time it was said that he was still teaching his students.
White Ashes, Renyo
In silently contemplating the transient nature of human existence, nothing is more fragile and fleeting in this world than the life of a person. Life swiftly passes and who among people can maintain his form for even a hundred years?
Whether we go before others, or others go before us; whether it be today or it be tomorrow, who is to know? Those who leave before us are countless as drops of dew. Though in the morning we may have radiant health, in the evening we may return to white ashes. When the winds of impermanence blow, our eyes are closed forever; and when the last breath leaves us, our face loses its colour.
Though loved ones gather and lament, everything is to no avail. The body vanishes from this world with the smoke of cremation, leaving only the white ashes. There is nothing more real than this truth of life. The fragile nature of human existence underlies both the young and the old and therefore we must, one and all, develop our kind heart and awaken to the ultimate source of life.
By so understanding the meaning of death, we shall come to fully appreciate the meaning of this life which is unrepeatable and thus to be treasured above all else. By virtue of true compassion let us together live with loving kindness in our hearts.
(This piece is traditionally read at Jodoshinshu funerals)
Whether we go before others, or others go before us; whether it be today or it be tomorrow, who is to know? Those who leave before us are countless as drops of dew. Though in the morning we may have radiant health, in the evening we may return to white ashes. When the winds of impermanence blow, our eyes are closed forever; and when the last breath leaves us, our face loses its colour.
Though loved ones gather and lament, everything is to no avail. The body vanishes from this world with the smoke of cremation, leaving only the white ashes. There is nothing more real than this truth of life. The fragile nature of human existence underlies both the young and the old and therefore we must, one and all, develop our kind heart and awaken to the ultimate source of life.
By so understanding the meaning of death, we shall come to fully appreciate the meaning of this life which is unrepeatable and thus to be treasured above all else. By virtue of true compassion let us together live with loving kindness in our hearts.
(This piece is traditionally read at Jodoshinshu funerals)
Death & Dying Resources
The Little Buddha
Dedication
Through the virtues we have collected by practising the stages of the path, may Alan find the opportunity to practise in the same way.
May Alan experience the happiness of humans and gods, and quickly attain enlightenment, so that his samsara is finally extinguished.
May there arise in Alan's mind great faith in Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, and thus may he always receive the blessings of the Three Precious Jewels.
May Alan meet precious Teachers who reveal the stages of the path to enlightenment, and through engaging in this path may he quickly attain the ultimate peace of full enlightenment.
The Buddhadharma is the supreme medicine that relieves all mental pain, so may this precious Dharma Jewel pervade all worlds throughout space.
However many living beings there are experiencing mental and physical suffering, may their suffering cease through the power of our merit, and may they find everlasting happiness and joy.
May there never arise in this world the miseries of incurable disease, famine, or war, or the dangers of earthquakes, fires,
floods, storms, and so forth.
Through the blessings of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, the truth of actions and their effects, and the power of our pure superior intention, may all our prayers be fulfilled.
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Translation:
ReplyDeleteOh how wrong you are
to think that the years
will never end.
We must die.
Life is a dream,
that seams so sweet,
but joy is all too brief.
We must die.
Of no avail is medicine,
of no use is quinine,
we cannot be cured.
We must die.
Worthless are lamentations,
threats, bravado
produced by our courage.
We must die.
No learned doctrine
can find the words
to calm this boldness
We must die.
There is no means
to untie this knot,
it is useless to flee.
We must die.
It is the same for everyone,
a wily man cannot
shield himself from the blow,
We must die.
Cruel Death
is unfaithful to all,
and shames everyone.
Die we must.
And yet, o madness
o ravings,
it seems like lying to oneself.
Die we must.
We die singing,
we die playing
the cittern, the bagpipe, yet
die we must.
We die dancing,
drinking, eating;
with this carrion,
die we must.
Youths, children,
and all men
must end in dust.
We must die.
The healthy, the sick,
the brave, the defenceless,
must all make an end,
We must die.
And when you are least
thinking of it, in your breast,
all comes to an end,
We must die.
If you do not think of this,
you have lost your senses,
you are dead and you can say:
We must die.