Buddha At The Bodhi Tree (Sri Lanka)

Here, to the oldest living tree Pilgrims have flown, sailed, crawled and bussed To feel its shade to know its strength The world’s not owned but held in trust It never withers, fresh shoots grow Ashes to ashes, dust to dust Does not apply to such a tree The world’s not owned but held in trust Buddha, in this tree’s motherland Had conquered self and fear and lust Now every seed the message gives The world’s not owned but held in trust Treasures you covet, things possessed Silver and gold all turn to rust Others will claim your home, your land The world’s not owned but held in trust Your little self’s a puff of smoke To every living thing be just Power brings responsibilities The world’s not owned but held in trust The fluttering leaves eternal tell Man’s not immortal, die we must Live a full life but live it well The world’s not owned, but held in trust