There is a river in everyone’s mind,
In its clear water,
Fish swim freely.
.
There is a mountain in everyone’s heart,
On its enchanting summit,
Trees dance and birds sing without hindrance.
.
Every river of clear water flows into the ocean,
The ocean is thus pure and clean.
.
Every mountain of beauty rises on earth,
The great earth is beautiful naturally.
.
A wholesome body and mind wishes to return to nature,
The spirit of purity longs for returning to its origin.
.
As leaves fall from the trees and return to the ground,
So do birds return to the sky.
Travelers eventually return home.
Those who are at home,
Where do they return?
.
In the endless ups and downs of life,
Only those who know how to return to the source
Shall understand how to begin, again…
.
(Lyrics for a collection of songs published in “The Lamp of Chan” in 2000, by the Malaysia Young Buddhists Association)