Behind the lotus-flower the treasure lies, In white and gold pagodas Burma builds To great lord Buddha of the eight-fold way. Not in the dirt where alien soldiers dig, Nor far above where purest gold caps all; But in the midst behind the sovereign bloom, There lies the treasured image of the God. Then seek not, brother, for the gift of gifts, Thy life's sweet secret, solemn and so brief, In things below, though lovely is the earth, Nor in the heavens, though lofty is the sky; For in thyself the richest wonder lies. |