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Rhinocerous

by Steven Clark

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about

This song was made in a few hours as part of the Immersion Composition Society.

lyrics

Like spreading bamboo, entwined,
is concern for offspring and spouses.
Like a bamboo sprout,
un-entangling,
wander alone
like a rhinoceros.

As a deer in the wilds,
unfettered,
goes for forage wherever it wants:
the wise person, valuing freedom,
wanders alone
like a rhinoceros.

We praise companionship
-- yes!
Those on a par, or better,
should be chosen as friends.
If they're not to be found,
living faultlessly,
wander alone
like a rhinoceros.

"Calamity, tumor, misfortune,
disease, an arrow, a danger for me."
Seeing this danger in sensual strands,
wander alone
like a rhinoceros.

Cold and heat, hunger and thirst,
wind and sun, horseflies and snakes:
enduring all these, without exception,
wander alone
like a rhinoceros.

As a great white elephant,
with massive shoulders,
renouncing his herd,
lives in the wilds wherever he wants,
wander alone
like a rhinoceros.

"There's no way
that one delighting in company
can touch even momentary release."
Heeding the Solar Kinsman's words,
wander alone
like a rhinoceros.

Shattering fetters,
like a fish in the water tearing a net,
like a fire not coming back to what's burnt,
wander alone
like a rhinoceros.

Eyes downcast, not footloose,
senses guarded, with protected mind,
not oozing -- not burning -- with lust,
wander alone
like a rhinoceros.

Un-startled, like a lion at sounds.
Un-snared, like the wind in a net.
Un-smeared, like a lotus in water:
wander alone
like a rhinoceros.

At the right time consorting
with the release through good will,
compassion,
appreciation,
equanimity,
unobstructed by all the world,
any world,
wander alone
like a rhinoceros.

Having let go of passion,
aversion,
delusion;
having shattered the fetters;
undisturbed at the ending of life,
wander alone
like a rhinoceros.

credits

released July 15, 2017
The percussion loop at the beginning is by Michael Mellender.
The lyrics are an edited version of the Rhinoceros Sutra - one of the oldest Buddhist texts.

The chanting and shakuhachi are "Shithi-kangosan" from the album "Shomyo - Buddhist Liturgical Chant."

The "Na Mu A Mi Da Bu" chant is from this youtube video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AUDo2fS2Oo

The cover art is by me. :-)

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Steven Clark San Leandro, California

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