Cattāri Brahmavihārā

Let me respectfully remind you:

Life and Death are of supreme importance.

Time swiftly passes by and opportunity is lost.

On this night, the days of our life are decreased by one.

Each of us should strive to awaken.

Awaken! Take heed! Do not squander your life.

Zen Evening Gatha

This is what you have been practising for. This moment when sickness and death are descending upon millions of your brothers and sisters. This moment when you, too, could have just contracted the disease.

And, although the world at large seems only now to be awakening to the ineluctable fact that these bodies are all subject to aging, illness and death, this was to have been your practice all along. Wasn’t it?

How fortunate you are to have the time to realize this truth so make haste now and practice.

Practice before you fall ill.

Practice before your children, parents, wife and friends fall ill.

Practice to be of use to yourself and those with whom you love.

Practice so that you can be off use even if your life comes to be solely a teaching on how to sicken and die without fear or regret.