99+ Finest Buddhist Poems

Buddhist poetry is always the refuge for seekers whenever feeling adrift, weary. Each Buddhist poem carries a profound message about life, helping us gain deeper, multidimensional insights to love beauty more, embrace compassion, and cherish universal kindness. If life feels overwhelming, chaotic, delve into the finest Buddhist poems below to restore inner peace.

I. Best Buddhist Poems on Life

The path of Buddhism leads to enlightenment, liberating individuals from ignorance and delusion, thereby cultivating a better life. Buddhism is the path of filial piety, compassion, and liberation. Moreover, Buddhism teaches ethics and morality, helping individuals live with filial piety and compassion. If you're exploring Buddhism, seeking some tranquility amidst life's chaos, don't miss the following poems about life in Buddhism.

1. Lotus Blossom - By Doan Kim Oanh

Tiny feet led me into the realm of Buddha,
Hoi Long Temple, a place of ancient lore.
The young abbot rich in compassion,
Builds temples, shelters for the elderly and all beings.

The master showed me the five-petaled Lotus
Even when busy, never neglecting his duties.
Never once has he moved from the temple,
Fearing the sight of empty halls would sadden visitors.

2. Mouth of Life - By Ngao Thien

Which mouth nurtures our growth?
Life's habits teach us wisdom.
People love to talk and please their mouths,
Words create more karma, unmoved by concern.

Let's pretend to be deaf and dumb,
Ignore, forgive the faults we come across.
Life is easy to understand,
Only when we read between the lines.

Open the heart with a clear mind,
Find peace, empathy for life.
Dear one, please leave a message,
Don't rush to judge, it's someone else's life.

Ugly words spoken,
Karma created through the mouth.
Fragrant flowers surround us,
Choose your words wisely, to keep the heart green.

3. Let Go - Hoang Minh Tuan

Contemplate life's worldly affairs,
Wealth, fame often bring trouble,
Adding burdens to life's woes,
Forcing us to contemplate.
Then love, sorrow, and lament,
Tears shed, hearts ache in pain.
From now on, I choose to LET GO,
For life continues as it is!

4. Impermanence - Anonymous

As a child born into the world,
Ends inevitably, old age wears away.
Flowers bloom only to wither,
Existence, birth, decay, destruction, impermanent union.
Human life is not to be pondered,
Attain blessings, pave the way to heaven.

5. Carefree - Ngao Thien

Human life spans many years,
Live sincerely, without concern for others.
Human life is like a long movie,
No need to act, no need to play a role.

Human life is full of comedy and tragedy,
Some laugh, some cry, worldly matters are amusing.
Happiness and sorrow quickly fade away,
More sorrow than joy, endless suffering.

Truly live together,
Giving and receiving, sharing our hearts.
Even if life flows against the current,
Suffering still exists, smiling carefree.

6. Buddha - Phan Thu Dinh

I look up at the face of Buddha,
Absorbing both joy and sorrow with compassion.
Is human life filled with suffering?
Would one renounce a throne for it?

Sitting beneath the Bodhi tree, attaining enlightenment,
Seeking paths to liberate all beings.
Humanity finds truth within,
Awaken to save oneself in this world!

Though my understanding is still shallow and confused,
I still recognize that Buddha is not far away.
Buddha resides within me, in the fields and shores…
In the genuine love of humanity!

When one lets go of loss in life,
When one forgives those who have erred,
When one gives without expecting in return…
That's when the light of Buddha guides the way!

Buddha is the love of our homeland,
Offering youth to the motherland,
Enduring pain for the community,
Sharing clothes and rice in hardship!

With Buddha, we embrace the spring fervently,
Filial piety and loyalty, unbroken through time,
Justice and love overflowing like rivers,
Happiness brimming before each dawn!

7. Temple Bell

Ding dong, ting tang, ding dong!
The temple bell echoes warmer than worldly life!
Rainy mid-July afternoon falls,
In the drizzle, hearts drift apart!

Hazy Ô Thước bridge in the north,
Cowherd, Weaver Girl await each other for years!
Anxieties buried deep inside,
In July rain, hearts find solace.

Ding dong, the bell keeps falling,
From the city streets to the green fields,
The bell's sound saturates the soul,
The bell's tolling turns maidens into nuns.

Let pure hearts be filled with poetry,
In a world of charity and dreams of peace,
Walking together in harmony,
We bow to Buddha, now a Saint.

Love, a unique bond for all,
Melds into our hearts, steadfast and true,
You gaze up at the shimmering peak,
The galaxy drifts amidst boundless humanity.

Temple bell tolls resonate ceaselessly,
Praying for spiritual blessings for all homes,
In the mid-July moon festival of our land,
Bowing to the smoke's scent, souls seek solace.

Mid-July moon festival binds yin and yang,
Mountains high, seas wide, embrace peaceful love!

8. Let Go – Thanh Trang

Gentle breeze guides the drifting leaf,
Soft waves embrace the river's eternal cycle,
Autumn whispers, leaves turn golden,
A light sigh bids farewell to the Spring leaf.

Here I sit, beside the silent Moon,
Reflecting on the vastness of the universe within,
Heart wide open, embracing priceless truths,
Brushing off worldly dust and deceit.

Arms open wide to embrace golden feelings,
Shedding a sigh by the roadside, releasing grudges,
Letting go of everything, the soul shines endlessly,
Facing the sun, breathing a mix of anger and love.

Life's tumultuous sea holds many turns,
The path of virtue teaches straightforwardness,
A light-hearted soul always strives,
Letting go of life's burdens to lighten the heart.

9. Virtuous Blessings - Ngạo Thiên

Life is fleeting, not lengthy,
Live for a purpose, worry-free day and night.
The material world weighs heavily,
Circling in suffering, pitiful for human life.

Greed and stinginess breed in the era,
How to reach the heavens in the future?
Passion for fame and wealth, aspiring to richness,
Creating more karmic ties, entwined in the flesh.

Tomorrow, closing eyes, departing from earthly bonds,
Soul descending to hell, eyes gradually enlightened.
Only then does the heart ache,
Realizing it's too late, facing the consequences.

Doing good brings blessings to oneself,
In the next life, one will be reborn wealthy.
The Three Treasures of Benevolence are vast,
The Dharma light shines, one's body is peaceful.

Kind deeds yield sweet fruits at the top of the tree,
Doing good brings blessings, the compassionate sky.

10. Self-discipline - Trần Lực

Does happiness or sorrow depend on birth?
Fortune or misfortune is subject to one's destiny
If you're noble, why fear disgrace?
It's better to be modest than to seek glory
For planting seeds of malice forgets virtue
Because spreading evil hearts must betray love
Sharing a few principles, even in difficulty

Lotus altar facing Buddha, chanting prayers.

11. Emptiness and Non-Self

The body is impermanent,
The mind is transient,
The teachings are egoless,
The wisdom is sublime,
Delivering sentient beings,
Rescuing them from ignorance and suffering,
Rescuing and enlightening people,
With worldly hearts like an ocean of bitterness,
An endless sea of suffering,
Drifting in confusion,
Clutching onto pain,
Where shall we go?
Return to the shore of enlightenment.
The path of liberation
Is clear, tranquil, and serene,
Letting go within,
Is the shore of happiness.

12. Buddhist Poetry

Living without anger, resentment, or blame,
Smiling in the face of adversity,
Rising to meet the morning sun,
Harmonizing with fellow beings...

Living is dynamic yet the heart remains still,
Living is compassion yet the heart is untroubled,
Living upright, disregarding fame and gain,
The mind remains unchanged amidst life's myriad changes.

13. Emptiness - Bui The Uyen

The sunset casts its shadow across,
The twilight whispers as golden leaves return,
Emptiness dispels sorrow,
In the midst of life's countless hues.

Suffering fills this transient realm,
Debts of karma cycle endlessly,
The world's woes endure each day,
Only boundless emptiness reveals enlightenment.

Colorless, yet not colorless to us,
Dust of the world washed away, stories erased,
Golden sunlight fades, destinies repaid,
The thread of love returns to this earthly realm.

Reciting the Buddha, emptiness day and night,
Delusions, hatred, and sadness shall pass,
With a single-hearted devotion to the Dharma,
The Buddha within the Dharma gently guides us…

14. Prayer for Peace

I bow to the Compassionate Buddha above,
From high above, do you see earthly affairs?
Do you see the struggles of existence?
Do you see the hardships of mortal life?

Life is a deep sea of suffering,
Life is an abyss of countless sorrows,
Our golden forests and silver seas,
Are ravaged by beings, truly lamentable.

Life is filled with big and small matters,
Lost in greed, neglecting to keep treasures,
Many wandering children still roam,
With nowhere to lean on in this moment.

Life is full of surprises,
Disrespecting fathers, worshipping empty altars,
Above, does the Buddha's door keep watch?
Stuffing skins, boiling meat, devoid of human compassion.

So many tens and twenties of matters remain,
In this world, there are those who endure loss,
Bowing to the Compassionate Buddha,
Embracing kindness, liberating human hearts.

To bring forth smiles upon all beings,
With compassion, life blossoms like flowers,
For each passing day and month,
The world gleams, adorned with the flowers of Nirvana.

So life resounds with no lament,
All beings rejoice and dance with joy,
The world flourishes everywhere,
In the western lands, happiness shines bright.

15. Law of Karma - Anonymous

Sow greed, reap suffering,
Sow resentment, reap sorrow and misery.
Plant thorns, touch thorns,
Fragrant flowers of kindness, of goodness, of lotus.
Sow good deeds, harvest sweet fruits,
Sow righteousness, receive compassionate fruits.
Sow ignorance, reap ignorance,
The laws of nature cannot be changed.
Sow noble deeds, ascend to the heavens,
Attain enlightenment, shine like a lotus tower.

II. Buddhist Poems on the Truths of Life

With profound messages touching the hearts of readers, Buddhist poems on the truths of life are always a favorite theme. The content of these poems is concise yet profound, containing many beautiful things that we often overlook, losing many things, even opportunities to perfect ourselves.

1. Letting Go - Tường Vân

Letting go of haste or habitual acts,
Speaking and acting in haste lacks decorum.
Without careful consideration, regrets follow,
Repentance comes too late.

Let go of habits or drunkenness,
Drunkenness in eating, sleeping, or wealth.
Drunk with love, alcohol, or fame,
Excessive intoxication brings suffering day after day.

Let go of habits or deceit,
Be truthful and live honorably.
Even if others deceive, do not imitate,
Karma reveals the truth unmistakably.

Let go of habits or anger,
Speaking blame leads to loss.
Oral warfare is very dangerous,
Learn to live in harmony.

Let go of habits or sighing,
Complaining about trivial matters only tires.
Making listeners weary,
Acceptance resolves everything.

Let go of pride or self-importance,
Life goes up and down like waves.
Impermanence changes, nothing remains the same,
Modesty and harmony living together.

Let go of habits or self-doubt,
Sadness and insecurity add to sorrow.
Confidently redo what is good,
Don't always carry something.

2. Cycle of Borrowing and Repaying

Everyone born must die once,
But is death the end?
Life starts anew, nurturing hope.
The green planet forever nourishes hope.

Entering life with empty hands,
Leaving life with empty hands again.
When living greedily to fill,
We must take on karma to repay life's debt.

The cycle of birth and destruction,
Life is impermanent, seemingly unreal.
The five aggregates: 'Form is not different from emptiness.'
Tranquility and contentment for a relaxed mind.

Live life without creating karma,
Avoiding the slap of creating the cycle of rebirth.
This world is just temporary,
The ultimate happiness, the Western Heavenly Realm.

3. Living With Death - Trần Nhuận Minh

Living desiring and wanting everything,
Dying with nothing, not even a word follows.
The world's pleasures, its poverty,
Fame, profit are just dreams.

Living in moments of comfort,
Human life is just a loan.
How many moments of laughter,
That is the reward bestowed by the heavens.

Living with the sorrows of days and months,
Living toilfully for tomorrow's dawn.
Enduring hunger, enduring weariness, enduring play,
This is truly a life wasted.

That death, who has truly escaped it?
Destiny, heaven decides, who knows?
If joyous, know it's today,
For in life, misfortunes, fortunes are unpredictable.

Happiness with adversity, who knows the path?
Create joy, vanquish a thousand sorrows.
Not to desire excessive wealth,
Days spent toiling from dawn till dusk.

Exhaust the body, then eventually die,
Profit in life is knowing how to live happily.
Poverty with a peaceful heart,
Is better than riches with a lifetime of worry.

All because of greed,
Life becomes a year-round struggle.
The mind constantly scheming,
The hands only grasping for more and more.

Why not think of human life as fleeting?
The mirror of the world clearly shows.
Living in times of hoarding silver, gold,
Living in times of having nothing to hold.

To live is to spend, to save is profit,
Death brings loss, both foolish and ignorant.
Self knows only to gain,
But spending again, fears it cannot replace.

Life becomes a daily struggle,
Mouth desires yet dares not eat,
Heart still hesitates and doubts,
Such considerations weary and weigh down.

How does one not know the value of human life?
Revere money as a divine entity,
Allowing money to control oneself,
Truly pitiful and laughable.

Among all things, human life is precious,
What is created can be lost like a game.
Only one human,
Once dispersed, where remains for eternity?

4. Selfish Desires

Beings drown in intoxication and delusion,
Living in the illusion of fleeting fame and worries.
Racing for wealth and possessions,
Greed and lust drive them into madness and confusion.
An ocean without shores,
Drifting through countless lifetimes with no end in sight.
Void, distant fantasies,
The false self endures temporary suffering.
Desire leads to endless sorrow,
Seeking the shore of enlightenment, quickly return.
Away from the sea of suffering, the river of delusion,
Find the path to happiness amidst calamity.

5. Realm of Emptiness - Nguyễn Nguyệt Anh

Light-hearted, we walk amidst rocks and stones,
The scent of lotus pervades the entire universe.
Merged with emptiness amidst concentrated contemplation,
Hearing the beautiful words of compassion.

Law of reincarnation never favors anyone,
The realm of emptiness adheres to true justice.
We all pass through the gate of birth and death,
Life's debts of karma and relationships must be repaid.

The wicked and greedy fall into the abyss of great ego,
Deceitful schemes reveal the heart of a wolf.
Inflicting pain upon golden hearts,
Enduring bitterness, tears overflow with suffering.

We are captivated by admiring blooming flowers and rocks,
And understand that the destination of disgrace and glory.
Those steadfast stand tall in their integrity,
Living gracefully, the path of karma, destiny, and fruition.

6. Law of Cause and Effect - Bách Tùng Vũ

Oh beings dwelling upon the earthly realm,
Whoever sinks into the abyss of suffering,
Hasten to transform karma swiftly,
Avoid sowing seeds of misery for future woes.

Whether one lives in hardship or revels in wealth,
Fortunes of red or destinies of struggle,
All stem from karmic obstacles repaid,
So it is, one's destiny lies within.

Those entangled in love's tangled web,
Or ensnared in the delusion of desire,
Those enduring the agony of separation,
All are settling debts of our own making.

Those who have wrought malice and deceit,
Who harm others, distort truth with lies...
In the next life, bearing heavy karmic burdens,
Amidst the vast sea of cyclic suffering...

Those who speak crudely and cause others pain,
Will bear the burden of their own misdeeds.
In the days ahead, their karma unfolds,
Ensnaring the soul in the net of retribution.

Those who sow seeds of betrayal and deceit,
Or cross the bridge of gratitude with reluctance,
In future lives, they'll taste the bitterness
Of deceit and deception, a hundredfold.

Those who show disrespect to parents,
Or treat siblings with inequality,
In future generations, their own descendants
Will mirror the chaos and disobedience they sowed.

Those who commit acts of violence and cruelty,
Will face the wrath of divine judgment.
Those who sow the seeds of war and bloodshed,
In future lives, will endure endless suffering...

Life is inherently fair to all,
For it adheres to the principle of karma.
For the hardships and sorrows it bestows,
Are the consequences of our past missteps.

Who among us can escape the law of karma?
Whoever is greedy shall ultimately fall...
A pure soul with a noble heart...
Even amidst poverty, they find peace in life...

7. Serenity - High Sky

Love and aid others without reservation,
With a conscience pure and a smile so endearing.
Avoiding misfortune and calamity along the way,
Finding inner peace, far from adversity's reach.

Living a life of goodness throughout,
Accumulating merits, blessed by the divine.
When the body turns to ash one day,
The soul finds bliss, free from worries and strife.

Release the soul to wander realms divine,
No longer burdened by worldly woes and pain.

8. Self-Reflection - Nguyen Quang Vu

Whether murky or clear, the river flows on,
Whether tall or short, leaves remain green.
Whether worldly or ascetic, in every instance,
We must live by the smallest of virtues.

We often complain of life's twists and turns,
Why aren't we perfectly round in our hearts?
The soil embraces every seed to sprout,
Tender shoots reaching for the light on their own.

If every path in life were smooth and straight,
Would we truly discover ourselves?
Anyone can progress far in life,
If they have the ability to rise on their own.

Happiness is like this sky above,
Not reserved for just one individual!

9. Life's Stream - Dinh Van Nha

Life's stream sometimes rises, sometimes sinks,
Drifting, alone or not, we are.
Life sometimes soars magnificently,
Sometimes bitter, distant, near,
Sometimes victorious, sometimes defeated, alas!
Again, sometimes right, sometimes wrong
Tomorrow will tell.

There are times dreaming to escape folly,
Other times unsure of tomorrow's arrival,
Yet, we reserve potatoes for the future,
In glory or shame, one must live modestly,
Like opposing forces of yin and yang await.

Hence, to fulfill a lifetime's worth,
One must cultivate virtues, nurture resilience,
Through toil and training it shall be,
Life's stream, once murky, becomes vast.
Flowing into the boundless Eastern sea,
Life's stream forever shines in distant glory!

III. Buddhist Poems on Impermanence

Buddhist poems on impermanence teach us to let go at the right moment to attain a serene life because the realm of life is impermanent, nothing lasts forever. Let's read and feel it together!

1. Impermanence - Hundred Bamboo Leaves

In this mundane world, tears fall countless times,
In the cycle of existence, beings are indifferent.
Many souls weep for their return,
Souls lament, longing for home.

Even knowing Impermanence is the way,
No one can avoid departure.
Still, countless souls lament and grumble,
Sad for the world once passionately sought.

Everyone will return to the heavens, whether wealthy or impoverished in a lifetime. Tears fall as the soul departs the body, leaving behind only empty dust.

Whether death is just or unmarked by a grave, reincarnation awaits after sleep. The River of Forgetfulness awaits on the shore, leading to the bridge of karmic consequence.

Ask the mortal world, does anyone live forever? Who can be certain they won't experience life and death? Many wandering souls depart the earthly realm, can they return to their pristine bodies?

Everyone will face death, accepting birth. Whether wealthy or burdened by fate, all threads lead back to one realm—Impermanence... escaping from... Sorrow.

2. Impermanent Dust Particle - Wholehearted Harmony

Sitting, listening to impermanent dust particles, touching each other on the bustling paths... which particle causes us pain, which one shines with illusory colors!

Why do we misunderstand so!? Yet here we sit, contemplating alone, amidst the joys and sorrows of human life, striving to find peace amidst a thousand uncertainties.

Sitting, observing the vast world, time encompasses memories forgotten, tears shed, and laughter shared. We are like lazy children, recalling a distant past in a dream!

holding us... forever is ourselves, walking on the path of sincere love. The world has forms, has shapes, only seeking happiness, peace is joy!

3. Impermanence - Nguyen Hung

The yellow leaf then flies to a distant land, the human world is inherently very impermanent. So this body carries the fate of a traveler, what courage to step into the misty realm?

Because all is just dust, pleasure or suffering, what's the difference? Even if rich with gold and silver like a mountain peak, tomorrow it's still just a clump of earth.

Just be peaceful for life is a temporary realm. Death is returning to the root of future lives. Let's rejoice for each radiant day. Why should we suffer for ourselves?

Then lightly tread as if beyond the clouds and wind. Form is not us, we are not arrogant with the earth and sky. Many temptations are abandoned in a fleeting moment. Even when departing, the soul still feels serene.

Each day we thank the Most High. We will be completely joyful for understanding impermanence. As the night fades, the city awakens. Sunrise brings sunshine amidst thousands of fragrances.

4. Life is Impermanent - Tung Tran

Whether one desires it or not, life remains the same. Just gradually flowing along with the stream of time. Whether one is modest or wealthy, when death comes, both hands remain empty.

Being warm and fed is fortunate. Maintain a peaceful life with calm waves. Some things occur naturally, don't force them to avoid later regrets.

Whether it's worth it for the glamour and glitter, then pushing oneself into a deep abyss. If the heart doesn't want to be entangled in worries, then don't seek forcefully in confusion.

Knowing remorse and recognizing mistakes. Remind yourself to change. While material needs are necessary for life, don't let the bonds of affection crack.

The cycle of birth and death is always the law. Life's impermanence is an unchangeable truth. As humans, we are all alike. In the end, we all return to dust.

The world is impermanent - Ngạo Thiên

Life is like drifting clouds. In this bitter world, tears and sorrow last for thousands of years. How long can one live? A hundred years, then the shadow waits in the deep cave.

Human life is like a dream. Parting without promise, without waiting. Beauty fades with time. Who can keep wealth forever?

Where does human life lead? Impermanence governs the sorrows of the world. Life may unite or disperse. But where is the eternal golden dream of a hundred years?

Return to living with sincerity. Be like a white lotus amidst fragrant ponds. Humans live to love. Smiling happily through life's joys and sorrows.

6. Impermanence - Phú Sĩ

Impermanence, a realm of emptiness. Transmigration in the realm of human dust. Wishing for a pure heart like thousand-clouds. Serenely spreading vast affection.

Enduring through one life, born thrice. Wandering aimlessly amidst the sorrows. Life's love repaid to each other. Fleeting joy amidst countless worries.

Four seasons, sky and earth alternate. Waves of water wander in beloved lands. Human life, many episodes of separation. Cold wind whispers, the path of destiny remains.

Evening sky casts shadows to the west. Lonely heart bears bitter burden in myriad ways. Once obsessed with fame and profit. Once haunted by deep affection, oh human!

Impermanence, a realm of solitude. Some yearn to depart, others step into the game. Life is full of uncertainties. Let's cherish the sweetness and nothing more.

7. The Impermanent Journey - Ngạo Thiên

Life seemed like a dream, Until upon reflection, it's but a fleeting mist. In this world of debts and dues, Owed in love and in bonds, repaid numerous times. Born with empty hands, Until fading away, unchanged. Life, akin to a game, Victories and losses, a bygone era. Suddenly, we meet ourselves, Just a shadow, in the twilight of the world. Life's gatherings dissolve, Fame, power, possessions, impermanent baggage. Life, cease your endless pondering, Return to the earth, the path of sorrows.

If it's already in the past, Let's forgive each other, All the pains and sorrows, Let's consign them to oblivion.

The pain of yesteryears Is a roadblock in life's journey. For life to be serene, Let's depart from the past.

Life is a test, We must navigate on our own, No one can do it for us, Success or failure lies within us.

Learn to forgive, Pain will depart, Embrace love wholeheartedly, Happiness will blossom.

Above are the 99+ Best Buddhist poems curated and compiled by Mytour. These poems contain valuable life lessons that help lighten our souls.