If (A Buddhist Poem)
if all living beings are by nature Buddha,
then how can we designate worth to one,
and no worth to another?
what makes us think we have the right
to choose?
if all a baby understands are nipple, light,
darkness, and being loved... have we grown
wiser?
if a faithful dog follows us till the day he dies,
only asking to be fed and loved, giving
unconditional love in return...
who is the real master?
if we spend all of our lives in the pursuit
of money and possessions, ... do we own
them, or do they own us?
what happens to them when we die?
if we love someone so much that
we're afraid to let go.... do we really
love them?
if we have food to eat, and a place to sleep...
what else do we really need?
if we have food to eat, and a neighbor
is going hungry... how can we eat?
if prejudice is born of fear... what are we
afraid of? ... them, or our own selves?
if killing is wrong, and war is killing...
why do we keep marching to those infernal
drums, like sheep being led to slaughter?
if all living beings are by nature Buddha...
then how can we not care? ... how can we
use, abuse, and discard? ... how can we
turn our backs and walk away?
poem by Eric Cockrell
Added by Poetry Lover
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