Let Me Be a Friend

Let Me Be a Friend

Please don’t hesitate indeed

To lean on my shoulder if you need

If the weather is windy or stormy

Let me make it warm and sunny.

If you’re sad from suffering

Let me tell jokes till you’re laughing.

If your faith is weakening,

Let me offer words of empathy and understanding.

Life is full of ups and downs and impermanence

Let’s help each other to have more self-reliance

Help each other to change and evolve

So the moon-shaped sphere will brightly revolve

Let’s always show everyone our loving care

With sweet and gentle words we share

So our cintāmani sphere will spread out boundlessly

Let’s be the dharma vessels in every opportunity

Helping people unfold their Bodhi minds

Propagating the dharma to living beings of all kinds

Let’s help each other to cultivate diligently

And practice ferrying people to the other shore constantly.

Hoang-Tam Hilton (CSS Virginia)

Christmas Day 2019