Charles Dickens opened ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ with this –
‘It was the best of times,
it was the worst of times.’
Now could be such a time too.
What is the worst that can happen?
That I die ‘too soon’. (1)
But that would mean I can reach Pureland earlier! (2)
Amituofo!
What great relief!
The worst can ‘lead’ to the best… (3)
If I am mindful of Amituofo well. (4)
Amituofo!
Notes:
- An unexpected death is the ‘worst’ as it can lead to much anguish.
- So that we can better train to be enlightened Bodhisattvas to better help others.
- Birth in Pure Land is the ‘best’ as eventual Buddhahood is guaranteed from there.
- Single-minded mindfulness of Amituofo with faith and aspiration.
