Ballad of a Buddhist Boy

The Buddha is my guide, my sage;
   He shows me lasting joy.
He teaches me, despite my age,
   To be a humble boy.

I practice every Noble Truth,
   And meditate and pray.
I learn from other Buddhist youth
   The best and righteous way.

Enlightenment I will attain,—
   From sufferings be free.
And when I part this temporal plain,
   Nirvana waits for me.

For now, I hear my friends outside,
   And golden is the day.
Stay blessed, dear readers, far and wide—
   I'm going out to play!