The begging bowl

Another look at poverty – through the eyes of poetry.

Ryokan (1758-1831): he was a Zen Buddhist monk and poet from Japan. I like these poems as they concentrate on the spiritual aspect and suggest that spiritual richness is more important than material possessions.

Three Poems on My Begging Bowl

1
Picking violets
by the roadside
I’ve forgotten and left
my begging bowl –
that begging bowl of mine

2
I’ve forgotten
My begging bowl
But no one would steal it –
How sad for my begging bowl

3
In my begging bowl
Violets and dandelions
Jumbled together –
I offer them to the
Buddhas of the Three Worlds

And on the same theme, here is a poem by American poet, Pamela Babusci:

Can money really make a difference? What’s the point? I believe that in the right hands and used in the right way, it can help.

Extract from A Penny in the Tin by Robin Mellor.

“Some have a blanket of stars,

others a bed of soft lace;

some lie, and die, on unfriendly soil,

others sleep in a safer place.

Some live in a pocket of gold,

never have need of more;

others, whose names

we’ll never know,

are the legions of the poor.

A penny in the tin, my friend,

a penny in the tin;

we can turn the balance

with a penny in the tin.”

And, finally, let’s nurture our dreams:

I Dream of a Time

by John Foster

I dream of a time

When the only blades are blades of corn

When the only barrels are barrels of wine

When the only tanks are full of water

When the only chains are chains of hands

I hope for a time…

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This is Operation Empty my pockets – part 2. Every opinion you leave here in the comments box will be turned into cash for charity!