Okay, this is ridiculous. We need some forum games around here.
This might be a complete flop , but does anyone out there like to write limericks? Give it a shot here -- with a Theravada twist. It works like this:
A poster will propose a Buddhist Pali term as a challenge, and the next poster will write a limerick about that term, then suggest another term.
Obviously, no limerick is going to be the only possible limerick to illustrate a certain Pali word, so the words can be repeated. If someone wrote a limerick earlier about samvega, for example, it can still be suggested again as a challenge. There are no limits.
An important point: Please, please remember that METER is crucial. Here is the correct meter for limericks:
iamb anapest anapest
iamb anapest anapest
anapest anapest
anapest anapest
anapest anapest anapest
If you deviate from that, you'll be forced to read the unabridged works of Julia A. Moore.
I'll start things off with the ever-popular:
Anicca
Fred wondered what happened to Fred.
Did he go on a trip? Was he dead?
He looked in the mirror
(cuz no one is dearer)
but saw a complete stranger's head.
Next up (hope there's a taker out there):
Anatta
Theravadin limerick challenge
Theravadin limerick challenge
Rain soddens what is kept wrapped up,
But never soddens what is open;
Uncover, then, what is concealed,
Lest it be soddened by the rain.
But never soddens what is open;
Uncover, then, what is concealed,
Lest it be soddened by the rain.
Re: Theravadin limerick challenge
Ok, I'll try but I have no idea if this is correct form or if it is what you are after. If not let the Anatta challenge stand, otherwise I suggest "nibbana" might be interesting next. So, off the cuff:Jechbi wrote:Next up (hope there's a taker out there):
Anatta
there once was a thread named anatta
wherein every atta could chatta
only satipatthana
could settle the matta
to the full satisfaction of atta
But whoever walking, standing, sitting, or lying down overcomes thought, delighting in the stilling of thought: he's capable, a monk like this, of touching superlative self-awakening. § 110. {Iti 4.11; Iti 115}
Re: Theravadin limerick challenge
That is a masterpiece, nathan.
Any takers for nibbana?
Any takers for nibbana?
Rain soddens what is kept wrapped up,
But never soddens what is open;
Uncover, then, what is concealed,
Lest it be soddened by the rain.
But never soddens what is open;
Uncover, then, what is concealed,
Lest it be soddened by the rain.
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Re: Theravadin limerick challenge
Okay - prepare to grimace
There once was a fruit - a banana
Given to a poor monk, it was dana.
He said, "It's pure sukha..
Thank-you all for the tucker"
And then promptly he entered nibbana.
Boom-boom
What about "sati"?
There once was a fruit - a banana
Given to a poor monk, it was dana.
He said, "It's pure sukha..
Thank-you all for the tucker"
And then promptly he entered nibbana.
Boom-boom
What about "sati"?
Re: Theravadin limerick challenge
I'll give it a shot.
Sati
Remember the first time you swam?
That sense that I'm swimming! I am!
Now you're out in the ocean,
huge waves, lots of motion.
Be mindful. Don't sink like a clam.
I'm sure someone else can do a better job with sati. Any other takers?
If not, have a go at:
Dukkha
Sati
Remember the first time you swam?
That sense that I'm swimming! I am!
Now you're out in the ocean,
huge waves, lots of motion.
Be mindful. Don't sink like a clam.
I'm sure someone else can do a better job with sati. Any other takers?
If not, have a go at:
Dukkha
Rain soddens what is kept wrapped up,
But never soddens what is open;
Uncover, then, what is concealed,
Lest it be soddened by the rain.
But never soddens what is open;
Uncover, then, what is concealed,
Lest it be soddened by the rain.
Re: Theravadin limerick challenge
dukkha's a trick to see throughka
'cause even the sukkha is dukkha
when dukkha is sukkha
its all sukkha dukkha
'cause clinging to sukkha is dukkha
"recluse"
'cause even the sukkha is dukkha
when dukkha is sukkha
its all sukkha dukkha
'cause clinging to sukkha is dukkha
"recluse"
But whoever walking, standing, sitting, or lying down overcomes thought, delighting in the stilling of thought: he's capable, a monk like this, of touching superlative self-awakening. § 110. {Iti 4.11; Iti 115}
Re: Theravadin limerick challenge
I'm no good at this, but here goes....
This solit'ry thera recluse
didn't allow thoughts to run loose
The in breath the out breath
Would content him 'til death
But for the daily need to get food.
"Views"
This solit'ry thera recluse
didn't allow thoughts to run loose
The in breath the out breath
Would content him 'til death
But for the daily need to get food.
"Views"
---The trouble is that you think you have time---
---Worry is the Interest, paid in advance, on a debt you may never owe---
---It's not what happens to you in life that is important ~ it's what you do with it ---
---Worry is the Interest, paid in advance, on a debt you may never owe---
---It's not what happens to you in life that is important ~ it's what you do with it ---
- appicchato
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Re: Theravadin limerick challenge
How did I let myself in for this?...
Everyone has their views
Even if it's old news
It's best to read Dhamma
Even if no Obamma
That way you'll be able to cruise
<Groan>...
Metta
Everyone has their views
Even if it's old news
It's best to read Dhamma
Even if no Obamma
That way you'll be able to cruise
<Groan>...
Metta
Last edited by appicchato on Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
- appicchato
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Re: Theravadin limerick challenge
Sorry folks...I knew I shouldn't be here... :cookoo:
Last edited by appicchato on Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:13 am, edited 1 time in total.
- appicchato
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- Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 12:47 am
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Re: Theravadin limerick challenge
Doubled...make that trebled up...
Re: Theravadin limerick challenge
There once was a man in despair
It's a shame that he wasn't aware
That he would feel much betta
If he sent out some metta
For all of the world to share.
Karuna
It's a shame that he wasn't aware
That he would feel much betta
If he sent out some metta
For all of the world to share.
Karuna
Last edited by Tex on Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:04 pm, edited 2 times in total.
"To reach beyond fear and danger we must sharpen and widen our vision. We have to pierce through the deceptions that lull us into a comfortable complacency, to take a straight look down into the depths of our existence, without turning away uneasily or running after distractions." -- Bhikkhu Bodhi
"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man." -- Heraclitus
"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man." -- Heraclitus
Re: Theravadin limerick challenge
while under a goose-down doona
I thought of you with karuna
you're out in the snow with
no where sheltered to go
If only you'd come home much sooner!
"upekkha" or "equanimity"
I thought of you with karuna
you're out in the snow with
no where sheltered to go
If only you'd come home much sooner!
"upekkha" or "equanimity"
---The trouble is that you think you have time---
---Worry is the Interest, paid in advance, on a debt you may never owe---
---It's not what happens to you in life that is important ~ it's what you do with it ---
---Worry is the Interest, paid in advance, on a debt you may never owe---
---It's not what happens to you in life that is important ~ it's what you do with it ---
Re: Theravadin limerick challenge
With a Boston accent...
I once knew a girl named Rebecca
Who was a great hockey cross checkah
As my head hit the ice
I thought, "Oh how nice,
Here's a chance to maintain my upekkha"
Panna
I once knew a girl named Rebecca
Who was a great hockey cross checkah
As my head hit the ice
I thought, "Oh how nice,
Here's a chance to maintain my upekkha"
Panna
"To reach beyond fear and danger we must sharpen and widen our vision. We have to pierce through the deceptions that lull us into a comfortable complacency, to take a straight look down into the depths of our existence, without turning away uneasily or running after distractions." -- Bhikkhu Bodhi
"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man." -- Heraclitus
"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man." -- Heraclitus
- AlaskanDhamma
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Re: Theravadin limerick challenge
Ajahn, it was a good try.
"Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace." -Buddha
- appicchato
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Re: Theravadin limerick challenge
Thank you AD...aside from my feeble attempt at the limerick, I've got a reeeally bad internet connection...AlaskanDhamma wrote:Ajahn, it was a good try.