THE THREE CART PATRIARCH

 

A Musical Play by Students of Instilling Goodness and
Developing Virtues Schools, Talmage, California

 

HSUAN TSANG SONG

Tang Hsuan-Tsang and his helpers, they
Endured the hardships of the great highway
Doin' what others could not do
Through heat and cold and monsters, they
Just continued on their way
To bring the Sutras home for me and you.

The Sutras are a bubbling spring
A guideline and a road
They tally with the Buddha's mind above
And with living beings below

Thinking on, Tang Hsuan-Tang
Crossin' the desert sands
Bringing back the Buddha's law
For us to read and understand
Thinking on his journey long
To India and back again
How can we fail to study them?

The Sutras are a bubbling spring
A guideline and a road
They tally with the Buddha's mind above
And with living beings below

Thinking on, Tang Hsuan-Tang
Crossin' the desert sands
Bringing back the Buddha's law
For us to read and understand
Thinking on his journey long
To India and back again
How can we fail to study them?

 

OH EMPEROR!

Emperor, do not be concerned for me.
All of us, must fulfill our destiny.
I will return, you have my word, just wait and see.
When the branches of the pine tree turn to the east.

Oh Emperor, I have one small word of advice.
If you would be obeyed you must be reasonable and nice.
Set a good example, others will follow you of course.
For authority rests on reason, not on force.

Oh Emperor, do not be concerned for me.
All of us must fulfill our destiny.
He will return, you have his word, just wait and see.
When the branches of the pine tree turn to the east.

Oh Emperor, Oh Emperor
I will return, you have my word, just wait and see.
When the branches of the pine tree turn to the east
When the branches of the pine tree turn to the east.

 

MONKEY SONG

I'm just a simple monkey
Trapped by circumstances
Into a life of crime and trickery
Won't you just give me one more chance
To show you how reliable this monkey can be

I made a lot of trouble
Through diminished capacity
But I've been rehabilitated
A future sage I'll be

The monkey you see
Is not the monkey you once knew
I've recognized what's before my eyes
Now let me start anew.

 

THE HERMIT

Don't think that bein' a hermit is a life of ease
Don't think if you're a hermit, you can do just what you please
Though it may look like a piece of cake to you
By doin' nothing you can blow it, too
Don't think that bein' a hermit is a life of ease

Gees I guess I blew it, forgot to set me my alarm
Gees I guess I knew it, Shakyamuni Buddha's come and gone
I missed the whole show, now what's to be done?
Time sure flies when your're havin' fun
Don't think that bein' a hermit is a life of ease

Though it may look like a piece of cake to you
By doin' nothin' you can blow it, too
Don't think that being a hermit is a life of ease

 

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations on a job well done
Congratulations to the monk, Hsuan Tsang
Now the Buddha's Dharma has come to the land of Tang
Great our happiness
Great our joy
And great our gratitude to you

Congratulations, you have brought the Dharma's light
To shine forever, making all things bright
Now the Buddha Dharma's here, true wisdom is in sight
Great our happiness
Great our joy
And great our gratitude to you

Congratulations, on this very special day
Your gift of kindness we never can repay
Now the Buddha Dharma's here,
It's such a happy day.

Great our happiness
Great our joy
And great our gratitude to you.

 

TAKE BACK YOUR CARTS

Take back your carts
I don't need them anymore
Now I'm awake
I know just what I came here for
I have awakened I fulfill my destiny
Take back your carts
Bring out the books and let's begin.

I blew it once
I just spaced out I guess
I blew it twice
When I got the wrong address
I tell you now I will not blow it once again
Take back your carts
Bring out the books and let's begin

Take back your carts
Your wine, your women and your meat
I'll trade them in for a Sanskrit dictionary
I've awakened I fulfill my destiny
Take back your carts
Bring out the books and let's begin