in-laws come to wish each other well,

hearts full of fondness, souls rich with affection.

living while keeping steadfast love,

we pray to Heaven and Buddha for shelter and help.

a lifetime of a hundred years is a dream

both husband and wife, who could foresee our fated bond

from here troubles pass along wave by wave

compassion, forgiveness, sincere words of counsel

in the heart a little tolerance

pity the suffering, help our dear kin

hidden pain, living on upon this earth

when old, hair grey, near the time to bid farewell

so then houses, and private fields

none can be carried away, save the mortal body

a few earnest words of reminder

loving each other while alive is better than closeness at the departing.

thanks to the lady for wishing us long life

and gifts of cakes, rightly placed with care

honored lady, I speak with warm affection

Hùng Linh makes one praise the lady's heart

we hope the lady stays ever healthy

[?] also wishes to keep the lady near

the lady advises her children and grandchildren at her side

we pray Heaven blesses the lady with luck all her life

thanks to father for coming to share the joy

on the day of the longevity wish, Ngọ Muối, both of us

may Heaven grant a hundred years as fated

rarely does such a teacher exist, everyone rejoices

we wish father prosperity and flourishing

father's helpful deeds have long been renowned

the flock's faith, duty repaid, gratitude returned

whoever does virtue will be blessed all their life.

February, fine weather, a Wednesday

the fifteenth by the solar calendar, remembering just yesterday

Sơn An on behalf of the whole family

brought to the ward, spoke to be allowed home

though the room is not so grand

but quiet and still by the edge, sleeping deep

sleeping without any disturbance today

not eating, not drinking, strength now weak

seeing the breath so faint!

as if the last moment, awaiting the departing breath

daughters and sons have helped to the utmost

if fate has reached its allotted end

my heart, from before until now

the clear moon still kept, night and day never forgotten

not hoping for duty repaid or gratitude returned

only praying that all things above bless and protect

whether unintentionally or deliberately forgotten

then I must accept it, what more can be said

then what, the sobbing sound of the lute

children and grandchildren already understand, the lute-sound of my heart

a lifetime of service, never complaining

in scorching sun and soaking rain, still discussing

friends east and west, all cherished

relatives on both sides, wished full peace

only then knowing the lotus blooms, fragrant scent

a good nature here, becomes the giver

the earth still turns, turning without rest

compassion and forgiveness, gaining a peaceful heart.

dear younger one! the firm words of your brother!

hard circumstances, a poor home, living in this world

getting to study, your brother was so fortunate

you did not meet luck, enduring adrift!

in the future, your brother is favored by Heaven

not suffering like you, suffering to the skies

remember the prayers, your wishes

here your brother remembers forever, resolved not to slacken!

these days is aunt well?

are your limbs rosy and healthy as before?

do eating and drinking suit you well enough?

do you take medicine morning, noon and night?

who is always beside to help out?

daughters and sons, who has stood strong to comfort?

whenever the weather grows hot

do sons- and daughters-in-law come to ask after you?

grandsons, granddaughters everywhere

having food, having schooling, joyful childhood

pray to Heaven, entreat Buddha now

help the aunt fulfill her dream's wish

how are you living now?

is walking, coming and going still difficult?

hoping that the grumbling

remains only comforting, advising morning and evening

the old mother and young child are loved

of relatives, all sharing the same wish

sisters, whoever has given their whole heart

helping to eat, to drink, helping with everything

hoping the soul of one at the shore of delusion

blesses Oanh to live joyfully with grace!

sitting sad, missing mother, missing father

missing brothers, missing sisters, and close friends too

missing much, adding to a restless daze

the years passing, hesitant, not hoping

in dwelling and eating, in nurture, must be proper

whatever one does must be within family propriety

far from home, anywhere is home

doing what is upright, we are at ease

manners of eating and speaking in life

memory does not last forever, surely one will forget

O children and grandchildren of mine!

the fate Heaven gave, in this earthly realm

endure the bitter and the sharp, do not resent

the future will be happy, awaiting invitation

however many bad habits, one should avoid them

must learn wisdom to be worthy of one's word

the Buddha's counsel: do not despair

cultivate the heart and nature to match the teaching!

two thousand seventeen, the month of May,

family, great matters, standing this year must be managed

on the river the ferry crossings are done

parents at a hundred years, all reckoning is over

must arrange the Western Paradise as the place

the family must have money, sitting and standing, what to think

where to buy the coffin

the burial plot, the cemetery, must be discussed

funeral matters, how can they be shared

whatever day the funeral, a hundred thousand things to arrange

who bears responsibility, none stand aloof

whose money to pay, advance it to arrange fully

in general, sorrow when things disperse

kinship must be kept warm beyond measure,

the past month, I have had no joy at all!

Vietnam floods and storms, houses collapse!

natural disasters happen everywhere near and far

so many people dead and also injured

houses, [buildings], bridges and roads

strewn in ruin, still weighing on the heart

therefore I only wish

the victims and their kin escape the circle of suffering!

living life, three words to pray for,

body kept healthy, far from the round of illness

mind then clear and lucid in the head

heart always good, upheavals are ordinary matters

fortunately, a hundred ailments and inner wounds

medicine, doctors, the age offers as a gift

strength now, becoming healthy [?]

even at a full hundred years, no worry at all

the altar, the Buddha's image already there

the daughter-in-law and children gave it, worshiping the word 'heart'

therefore, morning and night quietly

striving to do good, the Buddha-heart reaches through

in-laws prize the trait of loyalty

given a carved frame, wisdom flourishing to a hundred years

then morning and night, used to aim toward

Trúc Lâm Minh Chánh, dreaming toward learning meditation

Tuệ Minh, the teacher bestowed insight

thanks to Heaven, thanks to Buddha, may goodness help!

migration, all because of the war!

setting off wandering, to the distant land of America

fate still lucky, thanks to America's help

day and night having work, to lean on

thanks to diligence and enduring hardship, so not hungry

a house to live in, a car to drive, all sufficient

a thin fate, therefore, content to accept

never running afoul of the laws of America!

my own body unfulfilled, suffering is I!

unable to stand or walk, even to sit

pondering it over, one still feels fortunate

Mrs K's fate, more wretched than mine!

only then knowing, life is a sea of suffering

how to steady the heart, while standing and sitting

joining palms, praying sincerely, hoping Heaven helps

think well, act well, just keep trying!