Potluck Passion

Five out of Six Ain’t Bad

                                               “For as long as space endures

                                                And for as long as living beings remain,

Until then may I too abide

To dispel the misery of the world.”

Verse 55 from Bodhisattvacharyavatara by Santideva, an 8th century Bodhisattva

I may be a sattva,

but I will never be

a Bodhisattva.

It requires perfection

in six categories.

Yes, I am generous,

(with my time, anyway)

have plenty of patience,

(unless I’m running late)

and a fair amount of wisdom,

(comes with age, you know).

I can concentrate for long periods,

(when the kids are asleep

and the phone’s not ringing)

I’ve been known to put forth

a great deal of effort,

(when I want to).

But, it’s the ethics part

that gets me.  Not that I’m

unethical, mind you, it’s just

what is right for me

may be wrong for someone else.

Besides, no one is perfect

unless…

you’re a Bodhisattva.