DAY 1.

In my youth
I listened to the rain from inside the brothel,
In the dim light of the red candle, the bed curtain.

In my prime
I listened to the rain from a passenger boat;
The river was wide and the clouds low,
Stray wild geese howling, in the west wind.

Now,
I listen to the rain from inside the monastery;
My temple hairs already covered in white!

Always cruel are life's moments of
Sadness, joy, separation and union;
So just allow the drops of rain to tap on the steps,
Until dawn breaks!

"Zhushan Ci"

Day 2

For my dear friend Janine!

There exists four grades of friends that must be known:
those who are like flowers, those like scales, those like mountains, and those like the earth.
Which friends are like flowers? They wear you on their head when in bloom, throw you away when withered. They adhere to the rich and abandon the poor. These are friends who are like flowers.
Which friends are like scales? Their head lowers when in the face of weight, and raises when the weight disappears. They respect those of weight, and become arrogant when that weight is missing. These are friends like scales.
Which friends are like mountains? They are like a mountain of gold upon which birds and animals gather, whose feathers reflect its glory. Their loftiness brings glory, and their wealth offers joy to others. These are friends who are like mountains.
Which friends are like the earth? All crops and treasures rely on them to flourish. They nourish and protect all beings, and thus, their great kindness is tremendous. These are friends who are like the earth!

Fo Shuo Bo Jing Chao

Day 3

In a leaf, serenity;
From a flower, pleasant fragrance.
Such mere facts;
Who is to know what is hidden within.

Day 4

I vow to be a candle
Burning up myself, to shine upon others.
I vow to be a paintbrush
Painting humanity with colour, bringing forth beauty.
I vow to be a street lamp,
Breaking through the darkness, lighting the way.
I vow to be a tree,
Flourishing with leaves, shading passersby.
I vow to be a book,
Manifesting the truth, giving others wisdom.
I vow to be the great earth
Supporting living beings, giving life to all things.

from Sounds of the Human World

Day 5

On this tiresome journey of life, live for those who are fond of you. Do not lose happiness over those who do not take a liking to you, and then forget how to be happy when you are with those who do.

What cannot be forced to happen are what should not be pursued. When you are tired of all the chasing, perhaps others involved are also feeling the same way. If you stop and let go, you will finally realize that the sky is not going to collapse, and that all along, everyone in this world is in the embrace of auspicious clouds.

Every human being is struggling to survive in this mundane cesspool; while some are born to love you, some are here to teach you a lesson. What you have been working hard to maintain may not be of concern to someone else; what you bear a bitter hatred for could be a regular part of someone else's life. You either desperately beg for what you like, or struggle to get rid of what you dislike. Nevertheless, such is life; while there is warmth that can melt your heart, there is also the bitter cold that can chill your bones. All of these can enrich your life and make it even more bountiful and complete.

In the vastness of life, there will always be one or more auspicious clouds that are willing to embrace you. Instead of struggling around those whom you dislike or those who dislike you, take a stroll beneath these auspicious clouds. In this world, you do not need many things that are pleasant to your mind or ears; one cloud is simply enough.

from Yao Wei Xihuan Ziji De Ren Huozhe (Live for Those Who Like You)

Hi Arizona

And on the 7th day you can have a well deserved rest.

Take care

This is amazing...

Day 6

What is the difference between those who are noble and those who are petty?
Those who are noble understand self-control, while those who are petty do not.

What is the difference between happiness and vexation?
Happiness can be shared, but vexation is tasted alone.

Enlightenment is finding unity from oppositions,
Enlightenment is finding simplicity from complexity.
Enlightenment is finding understanding from hinderances,
Enlightenment is finding liberation from shackles.

Enlightenment is
life and death as one,
simplicity amongst complexity.

Enlightenment is
the same coming or going,
in existence or emptiness.

"Roots of Wisdom"

Day 7

Some say love it is a river
That drowns the tender reed
Some say love it is a razor
That leaves your soul to bleed
Some say love it is a hunger
An endless aching need
I say love it is a flower
And you it's only seed
It's the heart afraid of breaking
That never learns to dance
It's the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken
Who cannot seem to give
And the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live
When the night has been too lonely
And the road has been too long
And you think that love is only
For the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snows
Lies the seed
That with the sun's love
In the spring
Becomes the rose


Songwriters: Amanda Mcbroom
The Rose lyrics Warner/Chappell Music, Inc

Day 8

Life on its own does not mean anything -- it takes on any meaning that you decide to give it. Instead of spending all day contemplating the meaning of life, we may as well attempt to do something that gives it one.
Be bold when making a case and cautious in seeking evidence; be earnest in all matters, and solemn in your conduct.
We must be firm, believing that today's failure is yesterday's lack of hard work. We must be firm in believing that today's hard work will surely lead to tomorrow's great success.
Oh friends! The moment when you feel the most saddest and disappointed are the times when you most need a courageous and strong faith. Firmly believe that no hard work ever goes wasted in this world. I do not need to be the one to succeed -- no effort will be in vain.
Every part of yesterday makes up what I am today; do not to think too far ahead or grieve. From now on I shall reap as I sow.

Hushi Quanji