Celebrating with Buddha

Harapan Suci Menjelang Perayaan

Awan putih berarak di angkasa
Burung bangau bertengek di atas pokok
Mentari pun dah tinggi di langit.
Aku lihat sekalian insan,
Sibuk –
Sibuk ini,
Sibuk itu,
Dari pagi sampai malam
Ketandusan rehat
Kehausan wang.
Bermandikan hawa-nafsu,
Mengejar kebendaan tak terhenti-henti.
Alangkah dahsyatnya kalau mati tiba-tiba
Mimpi tak tercapai
Kesengsaraan melaut-lebar.
Aduhai insan-insan,
Rehat-lah di sini -
Di taman harapan (note 1)
Minda yang suci.
Usah sibuk-sibuk.
Duduklah bersama-sama aku (note 2)
Di bawah pohon yang dingin ini
Menikmati kesucian alam semesta
Memuji kesempurnaan di sebalik rupa.

O-Yang Amat Berahmat,
Bila-lah nak menjemput murid ini -
Murid yang tidak seberapa ini,
Untuk beraya dengan-Mu
Pada malam Tahun Baru Cina (note 3)
Bersama gumpalan awan di langit? (note 4)

Indahnya kalau doa ini
termakbul!

“Gong Xi Fa Cai!”


Notes:
1. "Taman harapan" refers to the serene, undisturbed mind free from elaborations (Minda suci).
2. "duduk bersama" refers to resting the mind in meditative concentration.
3. it can also be written as "Pada malam bulan purnama"). Hence, it can also be interpreted as the Buddha advising the people to come sit with him in meditation under the Bodhi tree.
4. "Gumpalan awan di langit" doesnot refer to the clouds. Rather it is referring to the blissful mind of the Enlightened One.

This Malay poem was originally written for another celebration. But now, after substituting some of the words, it has become a poem for celebrating the chinese lunar new year with the Buddha in his Pure Land. :) It can also be written so that it is like the Buddha sitting under the bodhi tree and exhorting people to come sit with him. (added in on May 9, 2010)
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The English translation:-

Garden of Hope (note i)
White clouds marching through the sky
Egrets perching on trees
The noon sun scorching from above.
I see all human beings,
Busy -
Busy with this,
Busy with that,
From morning till night
Never resting
Forever lacking,
Drenched with greed,
Pursuing wealth non-stop.
Alas, how tragic if death suddenly occurs!
Unachieved dream
And suffering wide as the sea.
Hear Ye, humans,
Rest here -
In this garden of hope
A pure mind.
Do not be forever busy.
Sit with me
Under the tree that is cool
Enjoy the purity of the universe
Praise of perfection behind the appearance.

O - Blessed One,
When can You invite this disciple-
Who has nothing much,
To celebrate with You
Among the high clouds
On this Lunar New Year? (note ii)

How wonderful if this prayer
Is achieved!

note i: I have titled it differently than the Malay title.
note ii: It can also be written as "On this full moon night?"