Hometown, Hometown, my Hometown,
Where are you? Where are you?
In the memory of my childhood
You are always so beautiful, beautiful
Always so tranquil and serene–serene, serene–

I remember
The stream at the village’s front,
With the dream of my childhood,
With the hope of my childhood,
Quietly flowing toward the edge of the sky,
Flowing toward the sea.
Ah–how the stream’s clear, sweet water
Nourished the crops in the field,
Nourished the cows and sheep on the banks.
Often I would drink a mouthful of its water,
Take a bite of sweet potato,
Already feeling sweet and satisfied, satisfied–
Influenced, I know, by the idea of happiness based in contentment,
An idea long cultivated by our traditional culture.
Let me understand what is divine love,
What is kindness and benevolence, kindness and benevolence.

(Recitation: The waters of my hometown
Nourished the crops in the fields,
Nourished the cows and sheep on the banks,
Carrying on the hope of my childhood.)

I remember also
The towering banyan on the hill behind the village,
Quietly, with deep emotion, relating, relating the unceasing dreams of years and years, dreams,
Attracting flocks of happy birds, freely singing, freely singing.
Ah–Hometown, my Hometown, although I can no longer find
The clear water of the stream at the village’s front,
Nor can I find the towering banyan on the hill in back,
Yet in my heart, in my heart, I cannot forget, cannot forget, cannot forget,
Ah–my Hometown, my Hometown, Hometown, Hometown.

[From the healing songs album “Cultivating the Heart”]