Inspired by Issa - In the lightning
taming desires
so may faces
the buddha
inspired by
in the lightning
how he laughs...
Buddha!
-Issa,1814
http: //cat.xula.edu/issa/
poem by John Tiong Chunghoo

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Inspired by Issa - Altar food
sticking to to Buddha's
be compassionate dictum
he lets rat nibble at altar food
inspired by
while praising Buddha
with wide-open mouth...
a thicket mosquito
-Issa,1816
http: //cat.xula.edu/issa/
poem by John Tiong Chunghoo

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Inspired by Issa - Cycle of births
the cycle of births
from my hand, a pigeon pecks peas
grain by grain
inspired by
grains of rice
pecked by birds...
my futon
-Issa,1814
http: //cat.xula.edu/issa/
poem by John Tiong Chunghoo

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Inspired by Issa - Prayers
all the lotuses
aides in
my prayers
tanka:
the lotuses have fully
bloomed to
embrace the sky
like my heart after the
dawn prayers
blossomed
inspired by
this day-
even stirring gruel
is a prayer!
-Issa,1814
http: //cat.xula.edu/issa/
poem by John Tiong Chunghoo

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Inspired by Issa - While i was away
just a little while
to live
a little while
to die
slit in between
a drama
of senses
inspired by
while I was away
just for a while...
a splendid young bamboo!
-Issa,1819
http: //cat.xula.edu/issa/
poem by John Tiong Chunghoo

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Inspired by Issa - Lucky Gate
lucky gate
opposite house's buddha
oversees it
inspired by
on the lucky Eighth Day
of Fourth Month...
a mountain cuckoo
-Issa,1814
poem by John Tiong Chunghoo

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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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Inspired by Issa - Harvest Moonn
harvest moon -
the field flying
with broken stalks
harvest moon -
no more loud sighs
from the windy fields
harvest moon
thanksgiving incense
trails over fields
harvest moon
the garden echoes with plan
for the next season
inspired by
harvest moon-
some are stretched out
some praying
-Issa,1821
http: //cat.xula.edu/issa/
poem by John Tiong Chunghoo

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Inspired by Issa - Stark Contrast
devouring her beauty
on the pretty lass
ugly dinosaurs
stark contrast
ugly dinosaurs on
the pretty lass' blouse
inspired by
stark contrast
to the pretty grasses...
cormorant boat
-Issa,1810
http: //cat.xula.edu/issa/
poem by John Tiong Chunghoo

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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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Inspired by Issa - Wisteria Trellis
morning glory
two yellow butterflies'
frolicking flight
inspired by Issa's
wisteria trellis-
behind it, in the light
wildflowers
-Issa,1809
poem by John Tiong Chunghoo

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All the time I pray to Buddha
All the time I pray to Buddha
I keep on
killing mosquitoes.
Translated by Robert Hass
poem by Kobayashi Issa

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Under the image of Buddha
Under the image of Buddha
all these spring flowers
seem a little tiresome.
Translated by Robert Hass
poem by Kobayashi Issa

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Inspired by Issa - New Year's Morning Temple
smoke denser
than house on fire
new year morning's temple
joss-sticks bigger
and taller than the gods
new year eve's temple
inspired by
on New Year's morning
the prayers to Buddha
come and go
-Issa,1825
poem by John Tiong Chunghoo

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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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Remembering Issa - Nightingale arrives
the owl watches
the forest floor
eyes wide as the moon
excited owl
the mice runs
in its eyes
inspired by Issa's
the nightingale aims
and arrives...
my fence
-Issa,1806
poem by John Tiong Chunghoo

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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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Inspired by Issa - Lover Cat
two month old
baby's cry
that tom cat in heat
(John Tiong)
inspired by
with a voice
like a temple bell...
the lover cat
-Issa,1814
poem by John Tiong Chunghoo

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Inspired by Issa - My Home Village
my home village
the virgin mary still stands
young as ever
my home village
old friends like me
away from home
my home village
old friends live in
new homes
inspired by
my home village-
the winter rain targets
a standing Buddha
-Issa,1816
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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Inspired by Issa - Winter Rain
winter rain
cold are my feet
so is my heart
inspired by
big winter rain
or little winter rain...
sleeping is hard
-Issa,1814
poem by John Tiong Chunghoo

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