Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week
January 22, 2009
[This poem, composed in 1976, America's Bicentennial, shows Chogyam Trungpa's exuberant appreciation for and incisive insight into his adopted homeland, as well as his use of American vernacular and imagery. Because of the sense of promise and challenge, it seemed appropriate to offer at this time, in spite of some anachronisms. --the Editor]
BICENTENNIAL
Lincoln Continental is not so international,
In the world of homespun garbage.
The American charnel ground is magnificent, with dignified glory:
The tombstones of the forefathers, the victory over the English,
Still eating Hamburger which is fit for vegetarians.
Every state shed its blood, in the name of freedom,
With resounding utterance of Brezhnev�s sarcasm.
Home of the pilgrims, nest of the Buddhists,
Where sad people can shed their tears in the oceans,
Divorcees by the millions a minute.
How curious: Proud youth,
Seductive maidens with American hips,
Wrapped with sky-blue jeans, carrying occasional wallets
Drinking their bourbon, partying in their lofts,
Introducing their wisdom of frankness,
With their nose-to-nose approach.
How deliciously smelly America is!
Phillips-head screwdriver -- even Toyotas are acceptable.
Such a free country --
In your red white and blue color
Egalitarian doctrine proclaims:
We have accomplished a lot,
We have achieved the great.
The richest nation on the earth,
The poorest hotdog, the home of the dirty socks,
Clean-cut world of justice.
May Americana last forever
With its status
May its rustic smile and red neck
Be good forever
May America conquer the world,
And its moon, and the sun, and Jupiter most of all.
May America conquer its smelly socks, with the help of Ajax.
Such a nice country America has to offer:
Our own moon, our own sun, our own rockets,
Which go with dharmapalas, dharma protectors.
One day America will be the defender of the faith.
Nevertheless, the stars of pride and the stripes of speed justify themselves.
May the Concorde land in America.
May the zafus of sanity plop over the fifty states of America.
Eagle is Garuda!
An unpublished poem, composed in New York City, 25 February, 1976.
Notes: 1)Brezhnev was the head of the Soviet Union at this time. 2) The Concorde was a new supersonic jet which commenced passenger service in 1976; 3) zafus are meditation cushions 4) Garuda is a mythical bird somewhat like the phoenix.
All material by Chogyam Trungpa is copyright Diana J. Mukpo and used by permission.
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Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week: teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche.
Taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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