Mangosteen Dharma
By Buddhadasa Bhikkhu
One little monkey biting through the mangosteen's bitter skin
furiously throws it tumbling away heads over heals.
Another monkey, more observant, knowing where value lies,
splits open the rind, eats the fruit inside, a monkey's delight.
Fools shut off religion, complaining it is too bitter, too ascetic,
furiously raging against it as if they're possessed by demons.
True Ones unearth the inner Dharma and find real Truth;
savoring Dharma, they taste happiness every day and night.
furiously throws it tumbling away heads over heals.
Another monkey, more observant, knowing where value lies,
splits open the rind, eats the fruit inside, a monkey's delight.
furiously raging against it as if they're possessed by demons.
True Ones unearth the inner Dharma and find real Truth;
savoring Dharma, they taste happiness every day and night.