Caveat: Five Rememberances

The "Five Rememberances" are from the Upajjhatthana Sutta (part of the Pali Canon [Buddhist scriptures])

I am of the nature to grow old.
There is no way to escape growing old.

I am of the nature to have ill health.
There is no way to escape having ill health.

I am of the nature to die.
There is no way to escape death.

All that is dear to me and everyone I love,
Are of the nature to change.

There is no way to escape,
Being separated from them.

My actions are my only true belongings.
I cannot escape,
The consequences of my actions.
My actions are the ground on which I stand.

The word "actions" in this translation is kamma (karma) in the original. I much prefer thinking of karma as "action" rather than as destiny or fate. Karma is simply the things you do that have consequences.

Here's a picture I took last fall, of 법륜사, looking up under the eaves of a temple building.

Chuseokday 058

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