The Lamp

Music: A Wu Ballad for the Season of Autumn

Performer: TAM Po-sherk (譚寶碩 Bamboo flute, Chanting), CHUI Mei-ting (徐美婷Guzheng)

In the middle of a deep alley, there is a streetlamp.

The dim yellow light barely illuminates the stone-paved road of the alley.

Every night, there are fruit vendors setting up stalls here, students returning late from tutoring, night returnees, night shift workers, and early shift people passing by.

The dim light in the alley was something everyone was used to, day after day.

One day, the streetlight broke, and the alley was pitch dark after nightfall.

The fruit vendors couldn't set up their stalls, students returning late had to call their parents for pickup, night travelers hurriedly searched for flashlights, and many people awkwardly groped their way in the dark.

Without the small streetlight, people's lives were unexpectedly disrupted.

A few days later, the streetlights were repaired.

The alley returned to normal, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

At this moment, we finally understood the importance and preciousness of that little bit of light.

May a handful of pure snow on the red stove be transformed into ten thousand bright lamps in the long night of the human world.

好将一点红炉雪，散作人间照夜灯。

——Dahui Zonggao (大慧宗杲，1089-1163)

Calligraphy: TAM Po-shek

Life needs light.

A small lamp can illuminate many people, warm and cozy.

Life needs warm care.

When souls meet and illuminate each other, it is the strongest encouragement.

Grateful that we meet in this world and come to understand each other through the years.

Life can influence life, allowing everyone to live as a beam of light.

One lamp can ignite thousands of lamps, illuminating even the darkest places, and this light will never disappear.

一燈燃百千燈，冥者皆明，明終不盡。

—— Vimalakirti Sutra (《維摩詰所說經》)

Calligraphy: TAM Po-shek

The long road of life is always filled with hardships.

To influence life with life.

Please stay kind; unknowingly, someone may be able to walk out of darkness by your light.

Please stay optimistic; unknowingly, someone may find their way out of confusion because of your smile.

Birds never worry about the branch being unstable because they trust their own wings.

鳥兒從來不擔心樹枝不穩，因為他們相信自己的翅膀。

Calligraphy: TAM Po-shek

Live with a calm and peaceful heart.

Treat others with a sincere heart.

Do things with a positive heart.

Live life with a leisurely heart.

Light up the lamp of the heart, the flame is warm and friendly.

Let warmth illuminate both you and me.

Illuminate the path of life, brighten the long journey ahead.