From Top To Bottom
O Buddha, had you but foreknown
The vices of your priesthood
It would have made you twist and moan
As any wounded beast would.
You would have damned the entire lot
And turned a Christian, would you not?
There were no Christians, I'll allow,
In your day; that would only
Have brought distinction. Even now
A Christian might feel lonely.
All take the name, but facts are things
As stubborn as the will of kings.
The priests were ignorant and low
When ridiculed by Lucian;
The records, could we read, might show
The same of times Confucian.
And yet the fact I can't disguise
That Deacon Rankin's good and wise.
'Tis true he is not quite a priest,
Nor more than half a preacher;
But he exhorts as loud at least
As any living creature.
And when the plate is passed about
He never takes a penny out.
From Buddha down to Rankin! There,
I never did intend to.
This pen's a buzzard's quill, I swear,
Such subjects to descend to.
When from the humming-bird I've wrung
A plume I'll write of Mike de Young.
poem by Ambrose Bierce
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Related quotes
Top Rankin
They dont want to see us unite:
All they want us to do is keep on fussing and fighting.
They dont want to see us live together:
All they want us to do is keep on killing one another.
Top rankin, top rankin:
Are you skankin (skankin, skankin)?
Are you skankin (skankin, skankin)?
Wo-ho, top rankin (top rankin), ow, did you mean what you say now?
Are you - ow are you (rankin, rankin) -
Are ya - lord, lord, lord! (skankin, skankin)?
They say the blood runs;
And it runs through our line,
And our hearts, heart of hearts divine, eh!
And john saw them comin, ooh! - a-with the truth
From an ancient time.
The brotherly love (brotherly love), the sisterly love (sisterly love)
I feel this morning; I feel this morning:
Brotherly love (brotherly love), the sisterly love (sisterly love)
I feel this morning, this morning. hey!
They dont want us to unite:
All they want us to do is keep on fussing and fighting.
They dont want to see us live together;
All they want us to do is keep on killing one another.
Top rankin (top rankin)!
Did ya mean what you say now (top rankin)?
Are you skankin (skankin, skankin)?
Are you skankin (skankin, skankin)?
Top rankin (top ranking),
Did you (top rankin) mean what you say (top rankin)?
Are you (rankin, rankin)?
Are you (skankin, skankin)?
Top rankin (top rankin);
Top rankin (top rankin);
Are you (skankin, skankin)?
ow are you (skankin, skankin)? /fadeout/
song performed by by Bob Marley
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Buddha Within....
Buddha's tears...
on the faces of every
hungry child in the world.
Buddha's emptiness,
in the hearts of every
person who has no home.
Buddha's sorrow,
in the eyes of every
victim of the bombings.
Buddha's silence,
at the roar of every
religious fanatic.
Buddha's compassion,
in the dirt of every
human being fallen.
Buddha's forgiveness,
in the anger of every
person driven by prejudice.
Buddha within,
seeks to evolve!
Buddha within,
just to be!
Buddha within,
already there.
Buddha within,
always has been!
poem by Eric Cockrell
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Buddha Born, Buddha Dying!
the buddha in me
looks like the buddha in you,
smells like, tastes like,
feels like, talks like....
i feel your need,
for you are part of mine.
you taught me about love,
when you were hurting.
the buddha in me,
reaches out to the buddha in you.
we inhale and exhale,
and night becomes day.
the buddha in you,
the question and the answer.
each a part of the other,
one must be for both to be.
the buddha in me, the buddha in you...
light born of darkness,
darkness comforts light.
the buddha born, the buddha dying,
no difference, no loss,
the journey goes on.
poem by Eric Cockrell
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Just Picked Up Your Trash!
the squirrel,
climbing the tree,
is buddha.
as is the cloud,
covering the sun.
the mountain is buddha,
as is the pebble...
and the river is buddha,
with the illusion of flowing.
you are buddha,
your enemy is buddha.
your lover is buddha,
as is the crap you just took!
do you see what you see?
do you taste what you taste?
do you smell what you smell?
do you feel what you feel?
or are you each of these?
enlightenment just picked up your trash!
poem by Eric Cockrell
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Sunday Christians
today is Sunday
the one day sunday christians
are off to church
these are the Christians
who are only Christian
one day Sunday a week
Christians for only one day?
one day sunday for a few hours?
sin of Hypocrisy in Christianity?
is one of the most detestable sins
it causes righteous worshippers to stumble
it takes the name of God in vain
my neighbor proclaims I am not a Christian
because I do not show go to church Sunday
she is correct I am not a Christian as she is?
this is all that she is correct in...
I do not claim to be a good Christian...
I do not even claim to be a Christian...
although every hour every day God
motivates many multiple actions in my life
God even at times enters my dreams
motivates the first actions of my day
after I arise from precious sleeping
even in sleep God is part of my life
I am Christian Buddhist Muslim Jewish
I am respectful of all who worship God
respectful of all who worship in sincerity
God said love your neighbor
I love them and pity them both
God said thy shall not judge
I am mindful of my own sins
I have pity for the sins suffering of others
I rejoice in my Lord Savior Jesus
poem by Terence George Craddock
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This They Wish to Insist
Please tell me this isn't true?
No one takes pride in being ignorant!
Submersed in those ignorant things they say and do.
Do they knowingly accept,
An incorrectness they perfect?
And if they do,
How far will they get?
When already they display,
Such a stupidness in disarray.
Please tell me this isn't true?
No one takes pride in being ignorant,
Submersed in those ignorant things they say and do.
And if this is true...
That deadend ahead is no accident?
It was an intention meant?
To experience what?
And to enlighten who?
If fools can be this wise...
Wouldn't it have been more feasible,
To spend less on clown makeup...
And have done the same thing,
To produce efforts...
More collectively economized?
Or...
Do they feel,
Those who 'are' wise should be taught lessons?
And this they wish to insist,
They are the ones better qualified...
With no one to argue how they go about it.
And being in disguise,
Allows them to go effectively undetected!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Awakening The Buddha
this chanting to the bronze buddha
done with sincerity awakens the buddha in the self
the buddha that comes to one's own salvation
the one chanted to, remains as the buddha
in the world of absolute nothingness
poem by John Tiong Chunghoo
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Buddha Eyes
Buddha eyes,
seeing beyond the visible,
and beneath the crust.
Buddha ears,
hearing what is not said
wrapped in the spoken.
Buddha thoughts,
connecting with all thoughts,
creating and forming.
Buddha heart,
feeling every beat of every heart
inside each beat of my own.
Buddha freedom,
letting go of...
becoming a part of!
poem by Eric Cockrell
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if this me is not I who Am I?
If this me is I,
That appear and disappear,
Knowing life and death,
Feeling depressed by pain and
inflated by pleasure,
Fatigue by the strain and compressed by pressure,
is it that I,
Colony of cells,
every instant one cell die,
and one take birth? If buddha told, he is void and
universe too,
Who spoke to whom?
Is it Buddha or some one more
wise than Buddha spoke?
Is it to ignorant mob he spoke, Or to joblessly and meaninglessly
to void? In this plane when I believe,
this me is I am,
It is true at this level,
If not then I am above this
plane!
Starting journey as part of universe,
Changing robe after robe,
Shedding old skin acquiring new,
I grow to maturity,
where drops wisdom leak from
heaven, through my skull and fills brain,
I grow to what I am!
poem by Ramdas Bhandarkar
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Buddha Within
the Buddha within
waits just beyond
everything we do
to avoid seeing ourselves!
the Buddha within
has no color or creed,
no political party,
is totally human.
the Buddha within
is the pathway that joins
the tongue to the heart,
the eyes to the spirit...
the hands to the infinite!
the Buddha within,
not owned, never owning;
not held by the few,
the home, and the gift...
the expression of humanity
making love to life!
sameness, unity, freedom!
poem by Eric Cockrell
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You Don't Have to Be a Christian to Love Christmas
You don't have to be a Christian to love Christmas,
It's a festival for all the girls and boys;
Even Buddha, meditatin' can hardly bear the waitin'
For jolly Santa and his bag of toys.
You don't have to be a Christian to love Christmas,
It's such fun to decorate the Christmas tree;
The Shinto in Japan and the kids of the Koran,
Their eyes light up when all the gifts they see.
You don't have to be a Christian to love Christmas,
It's a holiday for all the world to share;
The Druid and the Jain and the atheist down the lane
Are wrapping gifts for family everywhere.
You don't have to be a Christian to love Christmas,
There's a friendliness in everyone you meet;
The Hindu and the Wiccan can bake a sumptious chicken
And invite the Jewish family down the street!
poem by John Bliven Morin
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A Village In Orissa, India
-Where Persecution of the Indian Christian Continues Unabated
A nun was raped by a gang of men;
A priest was beaten; his eyes gouged off;
And he finally died!
Churches were torched;
Sexual assaults are rampant;
Women and children were not spared;
Many were beaten and even maimed;
Some are missing;
Many were burnt alive;
Crowds have run to the shelter of forests;
Homes of Christians have been destroyed;
Many were driven naked in the streets!
Christians of this village live in fear;
Some have reconverted to Hindu faith to keep their lives;
Yet, the Indian Christian was always known for his non-violence;
If someone converts, it is the ‘will of God’.
And such things happen in a secular, democratic country like India!
And while all these terrible things are happening,
The rest of India - people, press, politicians, police
SLEEP
The world goes on as usual;
Perhaps, the beginning of new persecution of Indian Christians
And blood of new Christian martyrs
Is needed to cleanse the land
Of its sins!
God save these poor souls!
Please Jesus, forgive the perpetrators.
WILL NOT THE WORLD AWAKE
TO STOP THE ATROCITIES?
poem by John Celes
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God Motivates Multiple Actions In My Life
my neighbor proclaims I am not a Christian
because I do not show go to church Sunday
she is correct I am not a Christian as she is?
this is all that she is correct in...
I do not claim to be a good Christian...
I do not even claim to be a Christian...
although every hour every day God
motivates many multiple actions in my life
God even at times enters my dreams
motivates the first actions of my day
after I arise from precious sleeping
even in sleep God is part of my life
poem by Terence George Craddock
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2090 - The Journey of an immortal
Having a third eye
in front of your forehead
is strictly disturbing!
I told him,
And what are those things?
wrapped around all over your body
Oh they are snakes!
it doesn't help a bit either!
I added.
What was your name again?
You filthy immortal with a cursed mouth!
He asked without any voice.
Me...! Umm...
I'm just an innocent bystander,
was just passing by and saw you,
sitting here all alone by the woods!
BTW why are you alone like this?
It doesn't feel right in any way!
like a frightened kid,
I lied.
'Tis not right! Not right at all!
And 'tis been a long time!
A long time indeed! Since,
someone went this way.
Don't you dare lie to me,
you damned immortal!
You are much more than that!
I am not a fool, though
I've been abandoned by my people!
People I've cared a lot for,
and FYI, I helped them a lot too!
He thundered, exactly like an
extinct god supposed to thunder.
Have you not known that,
You are having the same fate
as all the others?
I asked,
I'm a lonely wanderer, a truth-seeker!
I've passed thousands of mountains,
numerous water-ways, countless roads!
Met more souls than a single immortal
ever would in his long, long lifetime!
I added.
YOUR POINT IN TELLING ME ALL THESE?
he seemed angry with me,
or himself for a fact.
Oh! Shush! I've no fear of you!
You're just a statue of an extinct god!
And without your precious followers,
you're nothing, a null! If I may,
I'm just explaining that I already met the others!
Others who share the same fate as you!
on my way here,
I just passed a statue of Buddha
which was covered in a
five centimeters thick layer of dust!
Can you guess what he was doing ATM...?
He was doing his famous and amazing
fire-and-water-at-the-same-time thing
it never did scare me enough!
In fact I always thought it was awesome!
And of course...before that, I passed
A Christian church with a huge Jesus statue
which was concealed by the growing forest!
Neither were visited in a long time,
And neither were well cared for!
I helped the Jesus get off his cross too
He was still angry at some dude called
ALMIGHTY! ! !
I guess it never worked for them eh? ? ?
But he helped me fix my-recently-cracked rib,
which was totally cool indeed! ! !
Why aren't you speaking Oh wise one?
Realizing your fate frightens you, I guess!
Hang in there Oh mighty old one!
Wait until 'they' realize 'their' fates! ! !
The clock is ticking, and the time is running!
It won't take too long for 'them' to turn back
Once they do, Remorse will eat 'them' alive
They'll come running back to you!
Regretting what they've said and done,
They'll beg for your mercy, your help!
They'll beg for a way out of their conscious minds!
And BTW I gotta go, Oh wise old one!
I gotta find the one, the ONE who is all!
The one who is called Allahuwathala!
Always wanted to speak with him one day,
Never got the chance because he's everywhere!
poem by Pamuditha Zen Anjana
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I have decided: Finally.
My family donated me to mother church, a priest to be.
Because no one consulted me, I had no chance to disagree.
So in due course I was ordained and found I’d lost more than I gained
The church had educated me. I’d won a double first degree
My parents did what they thought best they acted in my interest.
There was no way I could protest. Though I must say I’m not impressed with the way that things were done and recently I have begun.
To realise resentfully my future was mapped out for me.
I am expected to repress the normal feelings I possess.
A problem which all priests address. I am a man no more no less.
I am quite certain that I would not have chosen the priesthood.
I have decided that I should quit the priesthood and for good
The practice of celibacy seems quite unnatural to me.
I am convinced a priest should be free to have a family.
The church has made a grave mistake expecting every priest to take
A vow which causes so much heart ache. I must resign: Make a clean break.
To earn my living honestly in some profession where I’m free
To wed and raise a family. Celibacy is not for me.
Monday,26 April 2010
http: // blog.myspace.com/poeticpiers
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
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Being Boiled
Listen to the voice of Buddha
Saying stop your sericulture
Little people like your offspring
Boiled alive for some God's stocking
Buddha's watching, Buddha's waiting
Just because the kid's an orphan is no excuse for thoughtless slaying
Children, don't forget this torture just because you call her mother
Doesn't mean that she's your better
Once more with the voice of Buddha
He'll say carry on your slaughter
Who cares for the little children?
You may slice with no conviction
Blind revenge on a blameless victim
Listen to the voice of Buddha
Saying stop your sericulture
Who cares for the little children?
You may slice with no conviction
Blind revenge on a blameless victim
Listen to the voice of Buddha
Listen to the voice of Buddha
Listen to the voice of Buddha
song performed by by Simple Minds
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Being Boiled
Ok, ready. let's do it
Listen to the voice of buddha
Saying stop your sericulture
Little people like your offspring
Boiled alive for some god's stocking
Buddha's watching, buddha's waiting
Just because the kid's an orphan
Is no excuse for thoughtless slaying
Children don't forget this torture
Just because you call her mother
Doesn't mean that she's your better
Once more with the voice of buddha
He'll say carry on your slaughter
Who cares for the little children
You may slice with no conviction
Blind revenge on a blameless victim
song performed by by Human League
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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For I Am Human....
i am not democrat or republican,
i am not christian or muslim.
i am not gay or straight.
i am not black or white.
i am not old or young.
i am not male or female.
i am not a believer or a doubter.
i am not happy or sad.
i am not rich or poor.
i am not dead or alive.
i am not good or evil.
i am not sick, or healed...
i am not ignorant or wise.
i am not... i am!
i am all these things,
for i am human,
both divine and common!
poem by Eric Cockrell
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I feel that Christian music is a subculture directed towards the Christians. It's not really being exposed to non-Christians and it's not really created for non-Christians, so non-Christians almost never hear any of this music.
quote by Larry Norman
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Maryknoll
Women priests are not allowed no matter how loud they scream,
They fired one priest already for going along with their dream,
So the Catholic Church takes this serious and no women priests allowed,
Though some priests may have been pedophiles; this is never said out loud.
Some Maryknoll fathers and brothers liked this women-priest notion,
They didn't realize this idea would cause such a commotion,
Though the Church of England has had women priests for years,
And some of them may one day be bishops without many fears.
I don't know much about this whole religious painful affair,
But I think it's time for a change in the real world out there,
This is the twenty first century with the Internet all around,
Not the fifteenth century where we had to knuckle down.
poem by James Bredin
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