Practice Heroically

Death. "Encouraging Words" by Zen Master Guishan

Some day you will die.

Lying on your sick bed
About to breathe your last
You will be assailed by every kind of pain.

Your mind will be filled
With fears and anxieties
And you will not know
Where to go or what to do.

Only then you will realize
You have not practiced well.

The skandhas/aggregates
(matter, sensations, conceptions, impulses and consciousness)
And the four elements in you
Will quickly disintegrate,
And your consciousness will be pulled
Wherever your ancient,
Twisted karma leads it.

Impermanence
Does not hesitate.

Death
Will not wait.

You will not be able
To extend your life
By even a second.

How many thousands times
More will you have to pass
Through the gates of birth and death?

If these words are challenging,
Even insulting,
Let them be an encouragement
For you to change.

Practice heroically.

Do not accumulate
Unnecessary possessions.

Don't give up.

Still your mind,
End wrong perceptions,
Concentrate and do not run
After the objects of your senses.

Practice diligently.

Be determined not to let your days
And months pass by wastefully.