Five Subjects for Frequent Recollection

Thannisaro Bhikku's translation from Access to Insight



Age, sickness, death, impermance, karma - these 5 subjects we should contemplate frequently.


I am of the nature to age, I have not gone beyond aging.
I am of the nature to sicken, I have not gone beyond sickness.
I am of the nature to die, I have not gone beyond dying.
All that is mine, beloved and pleasing, will become otherwise, will become separated from me.

I am the owner of my kamma, heir to my kamma, born of my kamma,
Related to my kamma, abide supported by my kamma.
Whatever kamma I shall do, for good or for ill -
Of that I will be the heir.

Thus we should frequently recollect.

Froglessness, a poem by Thich Nhat Hanh

Froglessness



The first fruition of the practice

is the attainment of froglessness.



When a frog is put

on the center of the plate,

she will jump out of the plate

after just a few seconds.



If you put the frog back again

on the center of the plate,

she will again jump out.



You have so many plans.

There is something you want to become.

Therefore you always want to make a leap,

a leap forward.



It is difficult

to keep the frog still

on the center of the plate.



You and I

both have Buddha Nature in us.

This is encouraging,

but you and I

Both have Frog Nature in us.



That is why

the first attainment

of the practice –

froglessness is its name.



Thich Nhat Hanh.