Buddha’s Birthday
Buddha was born 2,589 years ago.
Today we celebrate Buddha’s birthday,
but what is Buddha?
Dok Sahn was asked, “What is Buddha?”
He said, “Three pounds of flax.”
When Un Mun was asked,
he said, “Dry shit on a stick.”
Ma Jo was asked,
he said, “Mind is Buddha.”
Is Buddha three pounds of flax,
dry shit on a stick,
mind
or the sound of this voice?
The wooden chicken crows.
Someone hits the floor: BAM!
Just now, everything is complete.
See clearly the blue sky.
Hear clearly the birds’ song.
Happy Buddha’s Birthday 2026, to you!
Claudia Orjuela, DT and Co-abbot GLZC