Tuesday, October 05, 2004

The Foremost Good Fortune

In times when I want more material stuff in life, I meditate on this Buddhist wisdom.

Hunger: the foremost illness.
Fabrications: the foremost pain.
For one knowing this truth
As it actually is,
Unbinding
Is the foremost ease.

Freedom from illness: the foremost good fortune.
Contentment: the foremost wealth.
Trust: the foremost kinship.
Unbinding: the foremost ease.

-Dhammapada, 15, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.