Mittakali's Poem

Although I left home for no home
and wandered, full of faith
I was still greedy
for possessions and praise

I lost my way.
My passions used me,
and I forgot the real point
of my wandering life.

Then a I sat in my little cell,
there was only terror.
I thought - this is the wrong way,
a fever of longing controls me.
Life is short.
Age and sickness gnaw away.
I have no time for carelessness
before this body breaks.
And as I watched the elements of mind and body
rise and fall away
I saw them as they really are.
I stood up.
My mind was completely free.
The Buddha's teaching has been done.

~Mittakali