Paradox of Paranirvana
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My desire
Is that I may die
Beneath the cherry blossoms,
In spring,
On the fifteenth night
Of the second month.
~ Saigyô
Religion is the most elastic thing,
Much more elastic than a rubber band
Or even more elastic steel. We wring
From it the comfort that we want. Canned
By others commonly long, long before,
The sentiments we use are packaged by
Our betters such as Buddha. Ancient lore
And poetry instruct us how to die.
Nirvana is our goal, say some. The bliss
Involved in cherry blossom spring as on
The day the Buddha entered into this
Ideal condition like a perfect dawn
Does not contain desire or bliss or greed.
The wish above aspires to empty need.