是日已过命已随减,
如少水鱼斯有何乐,
大众！
常勤精进如救头燃,
但念无常慎勿放逸。
The above verse was chanted just before we concluded our 1-day Pureland retreat at Dharma Drum Singapore yesterday. For the first time, it was really an admonition to me.
Yes indeed, a day has passed and my lifespan had decreased by a day.
Yes indeed, I felt like a fish in an ever more shallow pool, which is no fun at all.
Yes indeed, I need to be diligent in my practice, seemingly extinguishing a fire on my head.
Yes indeed, I should always be mindful of impermanence and not slack in my practice.
Even though I was having aches all over my body, I must still say it was still a fruitful retreat. I felt my Sunday was well-spent being mindful of Amitabha Buddha. Not so bad for a non-ritualistic and easily bored person! But I do hope that one day, the Pureland Practice Fellowship will blossom to have such activities once month. Well, something more simple and modern, but equally effective perhaps?
Amituofo.
Related article:
https://moonpointer.com/new/2009/01/admonition-as-greeting
(with English translation of above verse)