Top 20 Beautiful Poems on Buddhist Philosophy

Poem by Pham Hung

I arrived at Tay Phuong on an afternoon,
Lost in thoughts, about to let my spirit wander,
Curious if Huy Can once wrote his verses here,*
The carved statues of the La-Han whisper their secrets...

The cycle of birth and death in this world,
The fleeting illusions all manifest before us,
The concept of being and non-being, not easily grasped,
As life’s illusions veil the path to true understanding.

The traveler does not dream of nirvana,
Love and loss, forever intertwined,
Still basking in sunlight, soaked by rain,
How can one avoid the tears that overflow?

The mist of evening winds across the mountains,
The scent of rice lingers in the air,
The chant of 'Na-mo' softly fades away,
A sudden stir in my mind, filled with unrest.

Thơ Hồng Vân

Giữa dòng danh lợi lắm điêu ngoa
Tứ đại vai không chẳng mái nhà,
Chân lý tìm đâu nơi bốn biển
Trùng dương gió thét vượt phong ba.

Trả hết thế gian lắm lụy phiền
Đi tìm bờ bến chốn bình yên,
Xa vòng thế tục buông hận oán
Nguyện chữ từ bi chốn cửa thiền.

Nợ trần dứt nghiệp thế là xong
Xa lánh chữ duyên chốn bụi hồng,
Một kiếp nhân sinh là cõi tạm
Được thành còn mất cũng bằng không.

Đời là bể khổ chớ sân si
Thắng bại hơn thua ngẫm được gì?
Phút cuối ai không về cát bụi
Cùng đành phủi sạch để mà đi...!!!

Bạc Liêu/16/2/2019

Thơ Bùi Thế Uyên

Hỡi thế gian có bao nhiêu đường đi?
Mà lẽ đời cứ nghĩ suy trầm tư,
Nào ai hiểu những sáo rỗng ngôn từ
Cứ vô hư trên Trần gian mơ mộng.

Thôi hãy sống chân thành đừng ảo vọng
Lòng bao dung mở rộng đón tương lai,
Hãy vững tin theo ngày tháng năm dài
Yêu hiện tại những gì mình đang có.

Bởi cuộc đời còn biết bao gian khổ
Gắng giữ mình vượt khó mới là hay,
Vui lên đi xiết chặt những vòng tay
Trao yêu thương đổi lấy điều trân trọng.

Một đời người rất nhiều điều khát vọng
Sống chan hòa chớ học oán thù sâu,
Hãy chân tình nghĩ đẹp sống cho nhau
Để nụ cười ngời lâu trên ánh mắt.

Ta hãy sống chân thành không chấp nhặt
Cho yêu thương chân thật với yêu thương,
Vì mỗi người chỉ có một quê hương
Hãy gìn giữ đường đời thêm hạnh phúc.

Poetry by Hong Nguan

Today, I return to Kiep Bac in the early days of spring, fulfilling a long-held wish. I gaze upon the mist that hovers over the mountain peaks and feel the gentle breeze sweeping through the clouds.

The pines whisper, as if singing an ancient song, and the river flows like a melody echoing through the valley. As I take in the view of the vast mountains, my heart lightens, and the burdens of the world seem to fade away.

Poetry by Dao Manh Thanh

Patience costs nothing, yet it brings much, as it grants us compassion. Patience allows us to calmly endure harsh words, and patience transforms hatred into virtue.

Patience nurtures love, never wasted, and lets anger slip away like a passing cloud. Life may never be perfect, but patience gives us the strength to endure, making the journey worthwhile.

Poetry by Nguyen Thi Khanh Ha

Compassion flows like an endless stream, spreading peace and joy to every part of life. It eases the sorrow of the heart and helps us let go of the pain of life's hardships.

Compassion is like the pure moonlight, gently illuminating the soul and body of all people. It is the foundation of life, inspiring us to speak with kindness and grace.

When we see others in pain, we feel it as though it were our own. In this world of illusions, we must always preserve a heart filled with empathy and love.

Poetry by Pham Thi Huyen

This world is temporary and full of struggles. We are battered by the storms of life, fragile like a delicate flower, crushed by its challenges.

With a kind heart, we let go of all anger and vanity, abandoning the pursuit of wealth and status. In this fleeting existence, we aim to live beautifully, like a flower blooming amid the hardships of life.

I seek the refuge of the Buddha, a place to nurture my spirit and mind, free from the distractions of worldly temptations.

At the temple, I bow my head in reverence, offering incense and walking softly, my heart full of devotion as I pray and chant each day.

In the evening, I wander in the warm sunlight, picking herbs and sweeping leaves, listening to the temple bells ring. With a peaceful heart, I turn to the Buddha, offering my respect and love.

Poetry by Pham Thi Hong Thu

Drifting gently, clouds swirl around the trees, while towering mountains stand with thick, lush foliage. A stream flows with a gentle murmur, winding through the hills, leading towards the ethereal land of Buddha.

Wildflowers of every color release their sweet fragrance, while playful bees and butterflies flutter. Above, birds chirp merrily, and young deer wander, calling out for their herd.

The temple bells hang suspended, nine stories high, while the dark brown roof, covered in moss, stands as a testament to time. The incense smoke swirls, filling the air with purity, creating a tranquil haven in the Western Paradise.

Each day passes with the chanting of sacred verses, as my heart becomes peaceful and my soul lightens. With every release of attachment, I am free, as if a breeze is gently lifting me above the world of suffering.

Vương Thị Lan Thanh

Con về đất Phật chiều nay
Chợt nghe nhẹ bẫng tháng ngày sắc không,
Vượt bao gian khó chất chồng
Từ bi hỉ xả nhẹ lòng sân si.

Về đất Phật chùa Hương năm mới
Chốn bồng lai dịu vợi cõi thiền,
Theo dòng suối Yến tự nhiên
Non xanh nước biếc cảnh tiên tuyệt trần.

Đền Trình ghé bước chân nhẹ bẫng
Ơn Phật Trời tạ đấng thánh linh,
Thiên Trù nghi ngút toạ hình
Nam mô Bồ Tát lòng mình thảnh thơi.

Động Hương Tích cao vời trầm mặc
Cửa thiền môn huyễn hoặc sắc không,
Thành tâm dâng nén hương lòng
Bụi trần rũ sạch sáng trong trí ngời.

Poetry by Dong Hoang

This morning, the Truc Nhat flower blooms in abundance
I hear your voice fill the vast silence
With hands clasped, I bow to the Dharma body
Feeling the vastness as the Buddha of Phu Van descends
The sound of cicadas dances in the breeze
Suddenly, I am overwhelmed by the boundless nature of form and emptiness
The phoenix falls, its red hues merging with the soft pink of the peach blossoms
A smile from Di Lac, pure and serene in body and mind

Poetry by Duong Quoc Nam

To practice is to refine oneself,
To practice is to live with lasting love
To practice is to share with others,
To practice is to maintain consistency every day.
To practice is to live with uprightness,
To practice is to nurture passion for one's home.
To practice is to live in peace,
To practice is to develop self-discipline.
To practice is to train each day
Clearing the mind and removing negative thoughts.
There is no greater practice than that in the home,
Honoring and respecting parents is true practice.

Poetry by Thao Nguyen

Amidst the vast sea of life, who can fathom its depth
To be human, keep your heart steady and true
The ones who boast of good deeds with words
While the ones who care endure a painful fate!

Stay calm... though hardships persist
Learn patience, how much is enough?
For all, let sincere love be the anchor
In the quiet night, mastering one's own sorrow!

Sometimes, rage chokes in sorrow's grip
But kind words of comfort are much needed
Yet happiness isn’t as we desire
It turns us into cold, senseless stone!

What will we keep in this transient world?
Open your heart, for giving is true joy
Even in troubled waters, your heart remains warm
Do not worry about praise or blame!

Poetry by Nam Bùi

The morning air is cool and crisp
The rain of life has long passed
Following the path of divine wisdom
I reach the shore of peace, weaving threads of kindness

In tranquility, the world shines bright
Harmonizing with the eternal sky and mountains
The sound of bells chases away all sorrow
Echoing through a land free of greed and desire

Seeking truth in this mortal realm
Awakening wisdom, always guiding our hearts
The ups and downs, a melody of grace
Life’s flowers bloom in joyous, lasting song

The Buddha’s realm removes all suffering
With a calm heart, finding a true haven
Today, I visit this peaceful temple (*)
The sound of the bell reminds us to awaken, uplifting our hearts.

(*): Yên Hòa Temple (Yên Lộc Commune, Kim Sơn, Ninh Bình)

Poetry by Phan Thu Hà

The Yến Stream, serene like a boat's edge
The mist slowly spreads, waiting for the sun to rise
The green hills undulate, like elephants in repose
In this mundane world, we imagine a paradise

Countless lotus flowers bloom, as beautiful as a painting
The mountains' shadows wrap in clouds, winding and flowing
We walk together toward the Buddhist refuge
Lighting incense in the stillness of the temple

May the merciful deities erase our weariness
Grant us wings to fly together
May spring bring peace to this world
And ease the suffering of humanity

The fragrance of spring has arrived
The cold winter replaced by the joy of spring winds
The temple bell rings, echoing far away
A gentle smile shared between us

Poetry by Trần Lộc

This fleeting life, a hundred years is never enough
Forget the anger, speak words of love
Temporary hardships are part of life
Release the burdens, let your soul find peace

Some wounds in life may make you weary
But smile, and the sorrow will melt away
If faced with adversity, quickly let go
So you can walk toward a beautiful future

Do not lose hope... no need to question why
It’s easy for many to follow, but one to love
Through pain, we gain strength and resilience
True beauty lies in love, that is enough.

Life passes swiftly, like a dream
We cry enough, and laugh for the world to see
Those who endure are worthy of life’s journey
Never lose heart when hope still exists.

Embrace the unusual and the way of life
Right or wrong, square or round, vast or crooked
Today's grand matters will be small tomorrow.
Always cherish what is within you...

Hải Lộc. 24.02.2020

Poem by Nguyen Duc

Silently watching the fragrance of honey like mist,
A quiet sorrow blooms, fading away!

IGNORANCE acknowledges my presence,
Body and mind transcend, dying and being reborn.

ACTS create bonds for the soul,
Bearing the fruits of my own fate.

AWAKENING arises from these connections,
Enduring through lives that intertwine in spirit.

NAME AND FORM chase after these illusions,
No shape, just a steadying of the mind.

THE SIX SENSES absorb experiences,
Eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and mind weave words and rhymes.

Perceptions of taste, touch, and sound,
The six organs perceive and give birth to the six realms.

SENSATIONS arise from our understanding,
Because of how the environment is interrelated with us.

DESIRE arises from these feelings,
Creating attachments, likes, dislikes, and emotional ties.

Body, mind, and surroundings become one,
Unable to perceive the illusion of time.

GRASPING is clinging to the world,
Believing everything is real, unable to detach from form.

EXISTENCE grows from this illusion,
Reality, people, deeds, happiness, and sorrow all arise from this grasp.

BIRTH has no inherent essence,
Without knowing the origin, life appears a never-ending cycle.

OLD AGE entwines with physical form,
From birth to death, where will our path lead?

Ignorance continues its deepening spiral,
Creating the wheel of life and death.

Dearest, if you wish to be free,
Contemplate that everything is an illusion.

Chasing after the fleeting world brings suffering,
Return to the true self within.

To understand that in this transient existence,
Everything is an illusion, even the body itself.

Poem by Chu Minh Khoi

How many lifetimes have passed, incense rising to the white clouds
The sunlight at Dong Pagoda stays, while the world floats away
Life wears down weary feet with transient steps
Where can I anchor and find the true realm here?

I drift toward the forest of plum blossoms
Van Tieu Pagoda's roof pierces through the mist
Face down, below is vast and boundless
Look up, and deep within, a sky's abyss.

The stones ache, urging time to pause
The Hue Quang Stupa stands, silent amidst the ethereal mist
Perched on the cliff, incense drifts against the wind
The sound of the bell reverberates along the ancient roots.

From the small temple, Truc Lam shines through the distances
On this sacred mountain, echoes of the Buddha King linger
The fire of meditation burns through sorrow, leaving nothing behind
Hands clasped, I seek silence within Hoa Yen.

Poem by Chu Minh Khoi

The red cotton flower hides behind fiery petals
The drizzling rain falls, filling March with intoxication
The mountains sway under the sun, praying for past lives
Yen Stream flows backward toward the peak of Lang Gia.

Swallows pour spring into the emerald cave
The chant of Nam-mô colors the temple bell in purple
The incense of Thien Tru touches me as if
The fragrance of a mysterious beauty has enchanted me.

I lean into the wind, feeling the petals fall
On the path of peace, I seek stillness
Let the flame extinguish to allow new life to bloom.

The path to the mountain is one with a white cloud
Resting my head on the soft, wandering grass
The silent dew marks the convergence of all things
The entire Huong Son becomes still within my heart.

Source: Giac Ngo Newspaper, July 2014

Poem by Chu Minh Khoi

The sun spreads its golden arms over the Duoc Wharf

The deep wind pierces through the misty veil

The Yen Stream twists, heading toward the shore of Enlightenment

The grass of the heart clings to the mountain, turning green.

In January, it seems there is no fear

The mind awakens with the warmth of spring

The boat drifts quietly through endless waves

Slowly dissolving into the vast path of poetry.

The paddle sweeps through the impermanence of water

I wish to wash away confusion and illusion

I drift along the strands of subconscious thoughts

Slowly moving toward the shore of Avalokiteshvara.