Today is the death anniversary of Grandmother

The grandchild remembers, so holds this memorial today

Recalling years past, grandmother with mother

Cultivating, building, bitter sorrowful tears

Now, looking back, grandmother has gone to the Western land

Mother too has grown wrinkled, missing Father now

Wafting, the incense smoke, the departed soul

Sacred and holy, protect the children and grandchildren here

This house is not mine here

But son-in-law, with child, are at hand

Morning and night, evening too, caring carefully

Manner of eating, way of speaking, gentle night and day

Food to eat, water to drink, someone provides

Bathing in and out, changing evening clothes

Butterfly sleep, lulling the soul, fragrant days

Oh joy, so much joy, blissful intoxication

Livelihood scarce and fading, a pitiable scene

Mother and father poor and destitute, suffering a hundred ways

That the child gets to study is very fortunate

Molding, building, mother and father rely on

Showing off talent, better than others

Only success reveals virtue and wisdom's path

Lying at night, pondering, the great labor

Mother's grace, all-encompassing, truly moving

Though far, uncle is still truly near

Still wanting to make effort, to help this grandchild

Long rest, calm your heart, and seek treatment

Old mother, young wife, within reach

Young children already have relatives to help

So just be at ease to get treatment

North wind, lingering rain, will soon clear

Be at ease, uncle is near here

Remembering the day uncle Lợi left Ninh Giang

Beloved aunt, aunt in pain, grandchild ashamed

Tears not yet dried, now Tuấn is ill

Oh sad, oh bitter, oh neighbors

Life is a mulberry-sea of change, it is thus

Piercing the heart, tears overflow

The sick one about to depart, why so sad

Shattered heart, shattered mind, shattered soul...

Be joyful, force joy to bring peace

Peace of property, peace of home, to ease discussion

For the sick, we care with medicine

Sadness, worry, pain of heart

Impermanence, Buddhism, foretells it

Birth, illness, death and disaster all return to the beyond

Going before, going after, who can escape

That is fate, granted by heaven

Gigi is about to be married

Uncle returns just in time, surely delighted

Grandparents and parents are present now

Aunts and uncles, luckily also come along

Truly rare to gather together

Truly ten-thousand blessings, joy this day

Blessings for the bride and groom today

A hundred years of happiness, from now to old age

Wishing health and long life

Wishing joy, which surely adds more years

Wishing firm resolve, standing supple

Competing, striving, day and night, without complaint

Even in winter, freezing snow

Even summer comes, winter returns, still diligent

Keep the body safe and steady

Keep the mind advancing to victory each day

Give the heart constant passion

Always do good deeds, this day and months after

Forget the sorrowful moments

Discard useless, unnecessary matters

Think how to keep oneself

How to help those near and far

We are people far from home

Set the heart to help one's country

Be an example for later generations

That is loyalty, filial piety, love, the foremost!

This coat is special in the world

Cannot be asked for, cannot be offered as gift

Long coats, short coats, as of old

Who doesn't have one, why compete

Thick coats, thin coats enough for the season

Where cannot you buy, so no need

Velvet, silk, brocade — fear excess

Notoriously luxurious, we must avoid

Being flesh and blood of one family

Loving one another must remember at eighty

Grandchildren, young children, still fresh

Not yet thinking of, surely returning to heaven

So I give this coat of mine

To wear for warmth, when leaving the earthly realm

Oh love, so much love

Tears overflow, wetting the way of the child

The earth turns, living beings turn too

Without a moment's pause, the earth turns forever

Human life is limited, not lasting

Living long only reaches beyond seventy

Fifteen, twenty, young and fresh

When middle-aged, weeping and laughing many times

Sad indeed the times of bad luck

Grieved indeed the times of household turmoil

Only going far do you learn breadth

Only far away do you learn to love home and self

Pity those who look only near

Fret for those who want but cannot

So accept, know one's lot and self

Cultivation is the realm of blessing, thus at peace

Taking the ship, a rare thing today

In-laws, retired friends, meet today

Heaven grants, together the ship journey

Daughters, sons, in-laws, all of one heart

Sightseeing, who doesn't wish for it

Often wished for, yet the heart not satisfied

Praise whoever has the will to build a bridge

Everyone enjoys, through the night, why hesitate

Oh waves! Waves, be as loving

Pity those who cross the ocean through long nights

Help them not lose their way

Calm waves, lapping waves, so people can rely

High waves, strong wind, do not dream

Family and friends are waiting for them here

Help them to reunite

Gentle wind, soft waves, joy spreading to all

Namo, bowing to Buddha, save whom

Abandoning anger and greed is the first lesson

Compassion, joy, letting go, living kindly

Wholehearted in relieving suffering is to be an immortal on earth

So that people everywhere

Together joy, together enjoy, forever warm and full

Fair sails, fair waters, smooth boat

The boat reaches shore, no more worry, no more trouble...

Hearing Nhật is in trouble, in dire straits now?

Wanting to help then stopping, no heart for it

Two wives, three children, yet abandoned

The family sees this, how sad

This chance there is Viện, going to visit there

Discussing together, helping Nhật in

Surely not abandon the eldest brother

Not ashamed before the world, when looked upon

Gratitude to those who bore and raised us,

Gratitude to those who cared, truly much labor

Because of whom, we have a rosy life,

Because of whom, we cross the river to shore

Now, life becomes poetic

Good work and job, prosperity, I hope

Spending as wished, both hearts content

A beautiful future, all things settled

Today, hold the marriage ceremony

Remember gratitude to parents, marked this day

Helping husband, helping mother, helping children

Helping oneself day and night, to fulfill one's role

Knowing fate is preordained

Dawn and dusk carrying burdens, both shoulders bearing the load

Morning and evening, tending, for the children

Months and years waiting, eyes worn from watching

Now the child brings rosy news

Family happiness, the whole line rejoices

Uncle sends 1000, loving Nhật here

Loving because he quit drinking, determined now

Saving money for hard times, when needed

Do not spend recklessly, so wasteful

Only to be used for Nhật himself

Or to help the wife, at reunion

Money earned, drenched in sweat

So must be careful, loosening the hand

Uncle Thành's children are orphaned

The household's grandchild, mother and father, have passed

Uncle Lợi's children, the house is empty

Only 2 uncles remain, just living

Pitying oneself, then must, pity to the end

Do not abandon, avoiding blame

While living, while trusting, one truly lives

Doing good, living well, truly above heaven

Thanks to uncle Chất, the very one who gives

Words of writing advising us, with reminders

Uncle Chất always loves the grandchild much

The grandchild should help uncle, do not calculate

Later when uncle Chất is no more

Wanting to help, there'd be no way at all

Charity, compassion, while living

Better than at death, a grand funeral

Looking at the photo clearly shows the bond of love

Wife's love, husband's love, complete in every way

Mother's love, father's love, growing with the grandchild

Family happiness, the bond of love lingers

Wishing Bính Tuất money like water

Blessings overflowing, immeasurable

Both sides of family, all with good fortune

A bright future, becoming beloved

Christmas and the new year have arrived

Peace and happiness, a few words of blessing to each other

Business and trade to wealth

Daughters, sons, in-laws, of one heart

Husband and wife working, pure of heart

Grandchildren obedient and clever, true dragon-fairy lineage

Even if aunt lives in another region

Kindness and charity, endless throughout life

Tet and Christmas, prosperity to every region

Tet returns bringing fairy magic, dragon magic

Peace, blessing and fortune awaited

Wishing wishes fulfilled, a rosy life all year

Turning a new page, bright as the full-moon night

Whoever prays for longevity, gets to 100 at once

Clean and bright, a fairy-like life

Compassion and charity, that is the realm of cultivating the heart

Oh love! oh grace! oh destiny oh!

The debt of ambition must be repaid

Grace ended, love ended, morality remains

Alas that morality has declined!

Oh, love, oh grace! oh destiny oh!

Love ended, grace ended, destiny ended now

What hope remains to cling to

True compassion, cling for the moment.

Looking in the mirror, combing hair, gazing at the image,

Remembering who raised you, so you were born thus

Marriage, swiftly arrives today

Parents hold a feast, celebrating the day of sending the child off

The child hopes to live wholly right

Father's love, mother's love, a mark of vermilion on the heart

The child prays, mind clear and pure

Repay parents' grace, in the near future

Now, the child gets fair and long

Parents' merit, not the slightest wrong

At the dike's foot, the heart is stirred

Family, aunts and uncles, everyone loves

Bow to father, salute mother, set off

Aunts and uncles, lingering, missing forever

Missing younger sibling, missing sister, missing whom,

Missing forever, missing always, the second life leaving home.

Whose phở is so delicious, oh dear

Broth wonderfully fragrant, meat abundant

Herbs, scallions, chili, plentiful

Bowls and spoons clean, already delighted

The greeting, gentle like words

Unwilling to leave, must sit and savor here

Whose phở brings good fortune

Whose phở brings a dream being built, awaiting

Who wishes to bind the thread of union

Please eat, taste it, always delicious.

For years dispensing medicine, helping folk

Only wishing the sick, their illness gone,

To achieve that in the heart, such joy

Saving people, blessings and virtue for the children

Grace of heaven protects, so much luck

Blessings of parents, marked in vermilion

Grandchild Chất from now, please remember always

Father's labor, mother's grace, only then complete

Let uncle know your private matters

Of the grandchild now, whether public or private

Good points are needed, should try to keep

What is not good, must discard, that avoids folly

Family happiness is the best

Helping one another, for [?]

Material and fame, don't cling too much

A fairy-like heart is foremost, worth striving for.

Because of whom did we arrive here

Because of whom do we gather and unite?

Because of whom do we see life rosy

Because of whom are children and grandchildren planted, given to

Crossing the river, please do not be indifferent

Remember the oar, the helm, reaching shore, thanks to whom?

That merit and virtue, remember forever

Remember the days, the months, remember who helped us

Vietnam is our country

Bát Tràng is the homeland, of grandparents and ancestors

Heaven with love still favors the virtuous

Good husbands, good wives, will surely advance in life

Speak virtuously, must be healthy, oh everyone

Train the heart, train the mind, and train the body too

Live in a truly peaceful way

Diligent and hardworking, money comes in

Kind-hearted, charitable, noble

Living together in comfort, compatriots rejoice together

Morning Star, standing forever, waiting for what?

Human affairs of the world, what is there to hesitate about

The matchmaker gods, generally speaking

Bind couples together, so they may have each other

The sky has 100 shades, 100 colors

The color one can keep, before and after, is up to oneself

Fame, wealth, honor

Come from the affection and virtue one creates

To parents, repay filial piety and gratitude

When faith and joy come, that above can be relied upon?

The road to the grave seems to grow shorter

Time passes, surely not long now

The earth still turns, hair has turned grey

The guest has left, what remains to leave behind

Wise or foolish, no need to compare

Just keep a good heart, throughout all five night-watches

Just do not be bad, live kindly

Virtue in the heart, blue heaven will understand

Thanks to heaven, thanks to Buddha, thanks to the immortals

Thanks to father, thanks to mother, living kindly to help us

Ourselves, in the word honesty

Today celebrating longevity, 83 years of life

Rice and fruit at the head, oh children

Listen to father's instructions like advice

Do not use force and authority

Must use sweet words, only then the heart is at ease

Speak gently, outward scenes, beautiful

Then we are serene, like the rose we wish for

At 82, still young, going out

At 83, another year, life seems shorter

Now, do you know what to do

Still ignorant, useless, what can be done

Days and months, the will stirs restlessly

Morning and evening no work, pacing by the chair legs

Night, noon, no topic

Speaking this way or that, husband and wife disagree

Looking at the sky, only knowing to gaze

The dark sky stays dark, how can it be rosy!

This year, age is already 85

Remembering ancestors' grace, eating and lying still fine

Still sitting, standing, walking in and out

Still calm, still steady, not yet unsteady

So life is still cheerful

Morning noon, evening night, talking and laughing happily

Day and night no problems

Months and years, no one criticizes

Like to eat, like to sleep, want what

Like anything do it, the heart is truly at peace

Whatever, children have matters to discuss

Whoever argues and debates, do not interfere

Mind at ease, heart so pleased

Suffering or joy, let it be, anyway it's done

Sun or rain, no worry

Snow and frost too, do not wish for anything

Whenever heaven says to go

Let go, close the eyes, the heart is still joyful

When departing, heaven has favored

Arriving at the place, everything accomplished on all sides

Family in harmony, husband and wife

Sons and daughters keep the ancestral ways

Parents speak, children obedient and gentle

Elder above younger below, endlessly conversing

Year's end, many matters big and small

Now it's done, waiting for the ferry to cross the river

Now, bidding farewell to relatives

Wishing blessings and longevity, peace, health and wealth.

This year what does grandfather want

Wish for anything, get it, pray for anything, get it right away

[?] is a daily task

Measuring is the matter of repaying, already clear

Wherever, together with beloved children and grandchildren

At night lying down, grandmother has made the bed to help grandfather

Heaven grants a still rosy age

A direction worth it, for all the waiting effort.

Wind waits, moon awaits, swallow news

Waiting long seeing nothing, the sky, looks dark

When beating the drum then the horn

Relatives get to enjoy a round of congratulations

Choose carefully, the horn selects the willing person

Right waiting, right awaiting, also do not miss out

Parents, months awaiting, years waiting

The family also wishes the dream, many prayers

Hoping to meet fortune and good fate

Finding a soulmate is whose right

Second ceremony, the year Nhâm-Ngọ arrives

Wishing everyone blessings, gains and more fortune

Praying for family serenity

Gentle wind, favorable rain, mild sun, even warmth

Home scene, house busy, weaving and embroidering

The nation prosperous, advancing steadily upward

Children and grandchildren, repay virtue and merit

Husband and wife, affection above talent

Wishing everyone all

Joy in work, joy in rest, through long days and years

Remember whom we get to live here

Remember whom we get full rice, enough to be full

Crossing the river, remember the ferry boat

Passing the night, remember the one who let us sleep over

So we cannot be indifferent

So we cannot be careless and ungrateful

The four classes endure hardship undaunted

The four classes help, merit boundless

Debt from the start, striking stone, giving

Give thanks with two words, people give, clear country

Give thanks, to heaven earth, ancestors

Giving us this life, in this earthly realm

Remember whom, we escape loneliness and cold

Remember whom we get full peace in life

Scholars, farmers, soldiers, oh everyone

Artisans and merchants combining efforts, making life like brocade flowers

Sincerely repent honestly

Give thanks to all, those far, those near

This year, father is 83 years old

Heaven grants the children health, the whole family joyful

Mother is born in the year Kỷ Mùi

Still walking, still standing, [?]

Life has been through bitterness

Mulberry fields transformed, the sea dried up, has passed

Migrating far from country, far from home

Grandchildren and children in harmony, the whole family content

Give thanks, hold the ceremony now

Give thanks to all, with rising incense

Living well and doing good in many ways

The best path, love for all beings.

Whoever is joyful, we share the joy

Whoever is sad, why should we share the sadness

Life has little joy, much sorrow

Those who know are happy, the ignorant suffer

One year, Spring comes once

How few have lived 100 Springs in life

Be joyful, enjoy, oh everyone

Joy of husband, joy of wife, joy of our life

This morning, coming to lament that

Your strength too weak, your strength has declined

Tonight, try again

Try and try again, like before

If you lose, you get eliminated to the side

Take more tonic, later on [?]

Next time must show power

See who gets eliminated, lies down, cries defeat.

Retirement is today

Seeing off here, father has this to instruct you

In life, one should live wholly

Complete above, complete below, a red mark left for life

Fame, talent and beauty, oh child

Are only vanities, once dead they are gone

Honesty and trustworthiness come first

Love remains forever, long after death it still remains

Hoping you fulfill your duty as a child

That is the wish, that father wearily awaits.

Kiri, only child of Nelson

Vietnamese mother so, of the Lạc-Hồng lineage

Born and raised in America, pure beyond dew

Later, knowing to think, helping the nation

Both paternal and maternal sides, all trust

Uncles and aunts, always supporting

Virtuous and talented, eat well and sleep well

Praying, before and after, to understand the merit

Old age, going here and there

Wishing to see the children, the whole flock

Big and small, complete and settled, hoping so

Whoever's fate, also returns west

Human life, fate, heaven grants it so

Enjoy and be joyful, truly abundant

Why resist, then surely tomorrow

Who goes, who stays, matter of heaven and clouds

Glad grandmother has free time, to visit the children

The wish held so long, the dream fulfilled

Healthy and working, and happy

So mother is satisfied, mother is glad for the children

The family united, should remember

Distorting falls far short of the complete matter

Cooperate, reunite, always striving

Success or failure, also up to the children

With a temple, we come to meet each other

Coming to the temple, we grow richer in love

That Buddha has shown the way

Compassion, joy, forgiveness, we love our household

Dharma and Sangha with Buddha in our heart

Inner heart, charity, surely we find joy

Together, sharing sweet and bitter

Together united, sharing joy and sorrow

This phở is compassionate phở

Both eating and offering, the precious rises up

Buddha's heart, cultivating roots, building foundation

Anger and greed all abandoned, blessings from above sustain

This phở lacks nothing

Clear noodles, sweet broth, meat tender and tasty

The effort of buying and cooking, truly complete

That is the seasoning, of the Buddha's household

Thank you, uncles and aunts for coming here

Contributing effort and means, this phở awaited

So the uncles and aunts are sincere

Sowing good causes and fruits, within this matter

Buddha's heart, created from the hand

Compassion, joy, forgiveness, from now on faith

Tolerance is from the way we look

Dharma, Sangha, Buddha-nature, can be leaned on if prayed for

This tree has 11 big branches

From afar, lush, birds and storks perch on top

Thinking that, good tree, on the mound

Coming close, only then knowing, there is rot, there are worms

One branch, withered, moldy and rotten

Moss, rot, all sorts, insects burrowing along

Ask someone, give lime to [?]

Rowing carelessly, the head [?] down to the floor

Lying at night, thinking of the children's affairs

Forty-two years married, not whole, more distorted

Months and years, not living peacefully

Until now, decided, waiting on all sides

So the fated bond of husband and wife

Meeting good fate, coming and going together

Wrong fate, anger and quarrel

When going, when standing, before and after in discord

Thinking to cover it up to let it pass

Both sides at ease, surely there would be peace

Pity for the self, and kin who live kindly

Thinking more of the shame, wanting to go mad at once

Wanting peace, strength [?]

Continually affected, the heart is not at peace

Life is a sea of suffering, mulberry fields

When can one enjoy, the immortal realm of heaven?

Thank you [?], Đức, the one who truly gives

To spare the lady, do not make appointments

It is not me, I dare not accept

Please, lady, devote yourself, to the giver

Helping each other, not minding when sick

Whether dark, afternoon noon, or pitch dark

Buddha is in the heart, no need to speak

Compassion, joy, forgiveness, is a great heart.

Father leaves, grandchild stays with grandmother

Grandmother leaves, the grandchild is deeply grieved

Now, knowing which place where

Where to lean on, find the way to go

Pray to heaven, pray to God four times

Help my grandmother, be able to go to heaven

Heaven loves, heaven blesses, oh grandmother

Hoping grandmother forever, enjoys a life loved by the Lord

Looking at the photo, seeing the figure grown plump

Proving the elderly mother, long-lived forever

Beautiful wife, clever children, and precious grandchildren

This year Bính Tuất, extra fortune ah

Wishing that everything all advances

Wishing all around increases, forever ah

Blessings and fortune abundant, money multiplied

Whatever needed, is obtained, the grace of our house.

My fate, water destiny, born so

Therefore, sentimental landscapes, I wish to enjoy

Going far, I dare not wish much

In the house, miniaturized sky, mountains and trees

waterfall singing, water flowing, lake full

People here, scenery here, like building a golden dream

Please don't wash away, neighbors

Nor wash and rinse, whether man or woman

Some people, careless [?]

This water has no pollution at all

Drink it, how refreshing

Look through, clearly see beloved compatriots

The path of cultivation, only one way

Follow Buddha's example, don't cling to the dust

Whoever passes Oak county, by TEN

Let me send regards, the lighthouse beacon

Coming here, the meaning of friendship

Helping each other regardless of winter cold or summer sun

Beautiful white teeth, inviting

Teeth restored, friends praise

Mr. Lee, the dentist is a lamp

His merit, forever remembered, like lotus in the pond

Meeting, bright faces, smiling lips

Beautiful white teeth, truly fresh appearance

Who makes life beautiful, life fresh

It's the dentist who paints 10 makes it beautiful 100

Remembering someone, whether standing or lying

Gratitude to the dentist, remembered for years, for life

Mr. Lee, dentist, oh sir

Wishing you long life, helping the world prosper

For whom, I become healthier

For whom, I get to live longer

Again joyful, a peaceful life

Recording gratitude, remembering forever, day and night

Children and grandchildren, whose merit

Helping to buy, helping with money too

Treadmill, is a close friend

Morning, noon, afternoon, night, whirring all day

Asking where the homeland is

On the river, is the hair yet gray

Fields, gardens, fish ponds plentiful?

Or just enough potato at noon, cassava in evening

Hoping it is not lonely

Praying to truly live, mother region [?]

Wishing children and grandchildren thriving

Wishing both families, husband and wife full of blessing

This dear Nguyen Vien of mine

You with Phuong became life partners

Children grown, heaven cleverly helps

Cultivate yourself, cultivate more, help everywhere

Siblings, relatives, still enduring hardship

Lacking money to spend, and missing the times

So must reach out to help and rescue

Called sharing, easing here

Nguyen-thi-Kieu Chuyen is the daughter of aunt Oanh (Nguyen-Duy-Chat), married on Dec 11, 2004. The wedding was held in San Jose. The husband is Nguyen Hoang Dan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Nguyen Thach Dich.

Kieu Chuyen paired with Hoang Dan

Peace, prosperity, longevity, countless good things

That wish, joined with this wish

Family warm and peaceful, matching heaven's fate

East West South North speak everywhere

Always happy, a lifetime of comfort

Wishing smooth waters, easy sailing

Praying flowers unite, wishing much fortune

Even waves, wide sea, high sky

Looking far, no land seen here

Travelers from all directions gathered

Wishing to sightsee, flowers, trees, people

On the ship, plenty of fresh food

All kinds of sports, laughing joyfully

Buying gifts abundantly

Eating and drinking freely, what more to complain

Life's affairs change ceaselessly

Today nothing, tomorrow something, rise and fall is common

The five senses thanks to yin and yang

Ears hear, eyes see, nose smells the air

The tongue is to taste the flavor of life

Skin touches to know hard and soft

Mind and heart aid the faculties more

So purity together, gentle and beautiful

If the mind is not in accord now

All faculties lost, from now gone

People from a young age

The mind ever agitated, no more the word "Emptiness"

Thus confusion piles up

So must study zen "Emptiness", study forever

Meditate as if no nose no ears

No mouth, no eyes, dumb hand just writes

When knowing nothing at all

That is attainment, "Emptiness" then wins

Zen "Emptiness" is very hard, oh people!

Endure hardship studying, and eventually pass

All depends on the heart

Learn zen "Emptiness" and all is settled

Seven [?] "Emptiness", none can criticize

Success attained, overflowing joy

Rarely does a guest come to visit

Mainly to bless the whole family

Above the two elders, below the siblings

Fortune overflowing, radiant as flowers

The feast not over, the sky already stormy

Clothes soiled, eyes seemed blind

The gallant one soothes with hands

The name still fragrant, hoping the matter has passed

Thank you, grandchild, for delivering the poem

To To and Nguyen, on time

Still young, yet able to help

Truly loving, doing good deeds

Is father ill or not now?

Wishing husband peace, husband recovered

Healthy and content, thanks to Buddha's help

Praying the wishes come true as dreamed

Boy and girl, false or true, it's done

Now the grandchild becomes a couple, truly glad

Wishing the pair well-matched

Temperaments harmonious, hoping for the right moment

Bound in marriage, gathered together

That is happiness, east and west in accord

Wishing a life forever loving

A hundred years of duty and love paired together

Others are powerful and noble

Their children succeed easily

Money poured in, children must do well

A good future, and wealth

Our home poor, mother unschooled

So hard, how to surpass them

Doctors, engineers, all present

How is mother so capable, truly splendid

Snow falls, all white, the whole sky

Trees, garden, yard, white everywhere

Where do birds hide, no sound heard

On the road, vehicles also silent

I wonder, where has [it] gone?

Leaving cold sorrow, so cold!

Life seeks a warm place

Wishing the sky done snowing, snow stops falling

Today, snow ceased, wind still

Sky clear, sun warm, hoping for good news

Calling the phone, heart feels wistful

The bell rings, keeps ringing, but no one answers

No reply, [?]

No email, no laughter either

In the heart all warmth is gone

In the soul all waiting and longing gone

So all the dreams are gone

So all the waiting is gone, what to do!