"The Buddha's Disappearance" is a contemplative hip-hop track that reimagines ancient Buddhist wisdom for the modern era. Drawing directly from Chapter 16 of the Lotus Sutra, the lyrics explore the paradoxical teaching that sometimes a spiritual guide must disappear for their message to be truly received. The track cleverly frames Buddha's strategic absence as an act of compassion rather than abandonment, using the parable of the wise physician to illustrate how we often value what seems lost more than what's constantly available.

Through three verses connected by a powerful hook, the song progresses from recognizing suffering, to understanding the teacher's strategy, to discovering the Buddha nature within oneself. The production balances meditative elements with contemporary beats, creating space for reflection while maintaining an engaging rhythm. The bridge serves as a moment of revelation, while the outro delivers the ultimate insight: the Buddha we seek externally is ultimately found within.

Verse 1
I see you sinking, struggling, drowning in the deep 
Caught in suffering's ocean, can't get no sleep 
I offered you medicine, you pushed it away 
"Not now, not this, maybe some other day" 
So I gotta disappear, that's my strategic move 
Sometimes absence is the only thing that proves 
The value of what's always been right in your face 
Creating that void so you finally embrace

Hook
When I'm gone, that's when you notice me (Notice me) 
When I'm gone, that's when you finally see (Finally see) 
When I'm gone, that's when you start to reach (Start to reach) 
The medicine was always there, just out of reach

Verse 2
Your house is burning but you're playing with the flame 
Poison in your system, you don't know who to blame 
I'm like that wise physician with the remedy in hand 
Playing dead so my children finally understand 
It ain't about my ego or getting your respect 
It's about waking you up to what you neglect 
Sometimes the teacher's gotta exit the stage 
For the student to turn to the unread page

Hook
When I'm gone, that's when you notice me (Notice me) 
When I'm gone, that's when you finally see (Finally see) 
When I'm gone, that's when you start to reach (Start to reach) 
The medicine was always there, just out of reach

Bridge
I never really left though (No) 
I'm eternally present (Yes) 
The Buddha nature flowing 
Through your veins like a current 
You think I disappeared (Nah) 
But I've been here all along (Right here) 
When you stopped taking me for granted 
That's when my signal got strong

Verse 3
You gotta lose me to find me, that's the paradox 
When I'm out of sight, that's when your mind unlocks 
The Lotus teaching hidden in plain view 
The path was always there, waiting on you 
I'm in the silence between your thoughts 
In the space where attachment gets caught 
I'm in the breath that you finally notice 
When suffering gets real and you lose your focus

Hook
When I'm gone, that's when you notice me (Notice me) 
When I'm gone, that's when you finally see (Finally see) 
When I'm gone, that's when you start to reach (Start to reach) 
The medicine was always there, just out of reach

Outro
So thank me for leaving, thank me for the space 
'Cause now you're seeking, looking for my face 
And in that seeking, you'll find what was true: 
The Buddha you're looking for—that Buddha is you

The Buddhas Disappearance

A Kindness Built to Last is a bluesy folk journey of quiet strength and shared humanity.
With warm guitar grooves and a soul-deep chorus, the song calls us to turn struggle into courage, to discover the ever-present spirit within, and to let compassion shine outward.

From heavy burdens and lonely nights to an inner fire that lights the way, each verse celebrates steadfast mercy, everyday dignity, and the power of giving.
The hook says it all: “The strength that guards your footsteps when the storms come fast—it’s the love you give to others, a kindness built to last.”

This track is both a personal anthem and a communal prayer—a reminder that the real lantern isn’t out there, it’s already burning in every heart.

Lyrics: 
(Verse 1)
Got these heavy burdens, a world of pain and strife,
People keep on fighting, lost inside a troubled life.
Then a quiet whisper, a low and soulful sound,
Said, “The truth you’re seeking is everywhere around.”
I reached for some bright lantern to pierce the endless night,
But the fire was in my chest, a steady, guiding light.

(Chorus)
Oh, the wisdom lives inside you, the truth is plain to see,
An ever-present spirit just waiting to break free.
The strength that guards your footsteps when the storms come fast—
It’s the love you give to others, a kindness built to last.

(Verse 2)
There’s a gentle spirit, steadfast, strong, and bold,
Like a mighty river, a story ages old.
It walks the road of giving, stands firm against the wrong,
Keeps its purpose steady, sings a quiet song.
When the shadow creeps in and the doubts begin to bite,
Call up every virtue—let them blaze against the night.

(Chorus)
Oh, the wisdom lives inside you, the truth is plain to see,
An ever-present spirit just waiting to break free.
The strength that guards your footsteps when the storms come fast—
It’s the love you give to others, a kindness built to last.

(Verse 3)
We’re all on one long highway, every soul and creed,
Planting seeds of goodness, tending every need.
My own joy’s unfinished till your burden’s eased;
I’ll walk beside you, friend, to bring you peace.
I’ll honor every stranger, every face I meet,
Show quiet reverence on the busy, winding street.

(Bridge)
This world of clash and thunder is no place to flee—
It’s the forge of courage, for you and for me.
Turn the bitter poison into medicine sweet;
Make each trial your mission, rise on your feet.
Change begins within you, where kindness burns bright,
Building peace right here, in the heart of the fight.

(Chorus – Final)
Oh, the wisdom lives inside you, the truth is plain to see,
An ever-present spirit just waiting to break free.
The strength that guards your footsteps when the storms come fast—
It’s the love you give to others, a kindness built to last.

(Outro)
So walk this path of practice, let your own light shine through;
Be the comfort you were waiting for—let the world find it in you.
Be that quiet shelter in all you say and do.

A Kindness Built to Last

The Threefold Crown Blues is a soulful folk-blues track inspired by Nichiren’s teaching of the Three Virtues — Sovereign, Teacher, and Parent. The song weaves together raw acoustic blues with gospel-style call-and-response, capturing the struggle of human authority and the wholeness found only in the Buddha’s integrated wisdom, compassion, and protective vow. With slide guitar, harmonica, and choir harmonies, this track is both a lament and a hymn of resilience, pointing to the crown of truth that never fails.

⸻

Lyrics: 

(Verse 1)
Mama’s love is warm as dawn,
But her skill can’t carry me on.
Daddy wisdom sharp as flame,
But without love, it cuts the same.

(Chorus)
Oh, Sovereign, Teacher, Parent true,
One heart of wisdom, love, and rule.
Only the Buddha holds that crown,
He lifts the lost, He won’t let us down.

(Verse 2)
A ruler’s hand, strong and sure,
But without mercy, power turns cruel.
Each one shines, but none complete,
Fragments scattered beneath my feet.

(Chorus)
Oh, Sovereign, Teacher, Parent true,
One heart of wisdom, love, and rule.
Only the Buddha wears that crown,
He walks beside us on this ground.

(Bridge – Call & Response)
Call: Who will guide me through the night?
Response: The Buddha’s vow, His endless light.
Call: Who will keep me safe from harm?
Response: Compassion’s hand, wisdom’s arm.

(Final Chorus – Slow & Rising)
Oh, Sovereign, Teacher, Parent true,
One flame of love, one light that’s new.
The threefold crown is whole at last,
The Buddha’s truth will hold us fast.

The Threefold Crown Blues

The Fearless Vow Blues is a folk-blues retelling of Chapter 13 of the Lotus Sūtra, where Medicine King and countless Bodhisattvas step forward to promise the Buddha they will spread the Dharma fearlessly, even in an age of corruption and hostility. With acoustic guitar, harmonica, and gospel-tinged rhythms, the song walks through the vow, the prophecy of persecution, the Buddha’s rejection of superficial promises, and the dramatic emergence of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth.

This track blends gritty blues storytelling with timeless spiritual truth — carrying the vow of “not sparing body or life” into a modern voice. It’s a song about courage, rejection, deep roots, and the kind of faith that shines brightest when the world turns dark.

⸻

Lyrics:
(Verse 1: The Buddha’s Call)
(Acoustic guitar, steady walking bass)
The Buddha looked around, saw the final hour,
Said, “The age ahead is cruel, and wickedness has power.”
He called out to the sages, “Who will take the post?
To carry on the truth, when I give up the ghost?”

(Chorus: The Fearless Vow)
Oh, we are the messengers, no fear left to spend,
We won’t spare our bodies, we’ll fight till the end.
We’ll preach the Dharma, though the world turns cold,
Buddha, don’t you worry, this vow’s carved in gold.

(Verse 2: The Enemies)
(Harmonica, low and mournful)
We know the bitter trials the future’s gonna bring,
Three kinds of enemies sharpening their sting.
The angry common people, cursing with their breath,
And jealous false priests, who wish us to our death.

They’ll conspire with the mighty, twist the crown around,
Try to drive the Dharma Votary out of every town.

(Chorus: The Fearless Vow)
(With more grit and harmony)
Oh, we are the messengers, no fear left to spend,
We won’t spare our bodies, we’ll fight till the end.
We’ll preach the Dharma, though the world turns cold,
Buddha, don’t you worry, this vow’s carved in gold.

(Bridge: The Rejection)
(Music slows, minor chord shift)
But the Lord looked on and said, “Your vow is good and true,
Yet your roots in this dark world aren’t deep enough for you.
I need more than courage, more than belief,
I need disciples bound by time beyond grief.”

(Verse 3: The Earth Bodhisattvas)
(Music swells, gospel touch, harmonies rising)
Then the ground began to tremble, the earth let out a cry,
And countless golden figures came rising to the sky.
The Bodhisattvas of the Earth, trained in ages long before,
The true disciples chosen for the vow that would endure.

Yeah, their bond runs deeper, a tie that will not break,
The ones ordained to finish, for all living beings’ sake.

(Outro: The Deep Root)
(Harmonica wails, guitar fades on Am)
The truth is in the deep root, the wisdom in the ground,
Only the oldest bond can carry the final sound.

The Fearless Vow Blues

Sometimes the deepest truths can't be explained—they have to be sung.

This folk blues track takes ancient Buddhist wisdom from the Lotus Sutra and translates it into American roots music. It's about that moment when thinking stops and something deeper takes over. When the sound itself becomes the teaching.

The Buddha said his wisdom was too vast for words. So he gave us something better: a practice, a rhythm, a chant that works on you whether you understand it or not. This song follows that same spirit—letting the groove and the syllables do the work.

From the transformed city where seekers stop too soon, to Medicine King's ancient incantations, to the Daimoku that condenses everything into six syllables—this is the story of how sound becomes a bridge to what can't be spoken.

No fancy theology required. Just open your ears, let it roll over you, and see where it takes you.
Recorded in the spirit of front porch wisdom and midnight revelations.

Inspired by teachings on dhāraṇī as non-conceptual upāya—the unspoken teaching that lives in vibration, not explanation.

🎸 Acoustic blues • Spiritual folk • Dharma music

Lyrics: 
Verse 1: 
Well the Buddha woke up from his meditation deep 
Said "What I know, y'all, it's way too wide to keep 
In words and explanations, logic won't get through— 
This wisdom's like the ocean, deeper than the blue"

Chorus: 
So I'm gonna chant it, not gonna think it through 
Just let that sound roll over, let it work on you 
Don't need to understand it, don't need to know why 
Just open up your mouth now, let that dharma fly

Verse 2: 
Those old-time monks, they thought they had it made 
Reached a little peace and then they stopped and stayed 
But the Buddha said "Keep walking, that city ain't real— 
I got something bigger for you, if you can learn to feel"

Chorus: 
So I'm gonna chant it, not gonna think it through 
Just let that sound roll over, let it work on you 
Don't need to understand it, don't need to know why 
Just open up your mouth now, let that dharma fly

Bridge: 
Medicine-King stood up, said "I got something here— 
Ancient words of power that'll cast out fear 
Don't matter what they mean, just say 'em strong and true 
Body, speech, and mind unite—that's all you gotta do"

Verse 3: 
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo—six syllables long 
The whole universe contained inside that song 
You can't think your way to heaven, but you sure can sing 
Let that sound become the bridge, become everything

Final Chorus: 
So we're gonna chant it, ain't gonna think it through 
Let that sound roll over, let it work on you 
The unspoken teaching's in the sound you make 
Open up and holler—that's how you awake

Outro: 
(spoken/half-sung) 
Yeah, the truth's too big for talking 
But it fits inside a song...


The Sound Beyond Words

What if everything you've been told about spiritual progress is backwards?

This song came from reading an ancient Buddhist text—the Lotus Sutra—that completely flips our understanding of how transformation happens. We're taught that meaningful change requires years of effort, countless hours of practice, immense sacrifice. Grind long enough and maybe, just maybe, you'll get somewhere.

But the sutra says something radical: a single moment of genuine joy, one word of heartfelt praise, can carry more weight than a lifetime of striving. Not because effort doesn't matter, but because the quality of your intention—that flash of pure, open-hearted recognition—connects you to something timeless.

It's not about what you know. It's about how you feel when truth lands.

I wanted to capture that paradox in a bluesy folk song—the weariness of the long climb and the sudden liberation of realizing the door was never locked. Fingerpicked guitar, slide guitar crying in the background, a little gospel organ lifting the chorus. It's meant to feel like sitting on a porch at dusk, finally understanding something you've carried for too long.

The song asks: What if the greatest spiritual moment of your life isn't somewhere in the distant future, but available right now, in your very next breath of authentic praise?

Inspired by Chapter 18 of the Lotus Sutra: "The Merits of a Person Who Rejoices"

If this song moves you, that moment of feeling—that's not nothing. That might be everything.
🎵 Bluesy Folk | Acoustic Gospel | Americana

Lyrics: 
[Verse 1]
I been climbing this mountain for so many years
Counting every step, every prayer, every tear
Thinking I gotta earn my way through heaven's door
With a lifetime of labor and a whole lot more
But the old sutra whispers something strange to my ear

[Chorus]
One word of praise, that's all it takes
One moment of joy when your heart breaks awake
One word of praise to every Buddha that's been
Every Buddha that is, every Buddha again
One word of praise—that's the gate, that's the key
One moment of joy sets the whole cosmos free

[Verse 2]
They say you can't think your way to the promised land
The wise men try but they don't understand
So forget what you know, just feel what is true
The rarest flower ain't the teaching—it's you
With your heart wide open and your willing hand

[Chorus]
One word of praise, that's all it takes
One moment of joy when your heart breaks awake
One word of praise to every Buddha that's been
Every Buddha that is, every Buddha again
One word of praise—that's the gate, that's the key
One moment of joy sets the whole cosmos free

[Bridge - Sparse, questioning]
The scarcity ain't in the signal, friend
It's in the static filling up your head
Can you tune your receiver to the right frequency?
Can you cut through the noise and just let yourself be?

[Verse 3]
Your intention's a time machine, can't you see?
When you aim at the truth, you're already free
That single word echoes through eternity
Past and future bow down to your honesty
You're standing at the start of the Bodhisattva's road

[Chorus - Full, celebratory]
One word of praise, that's all it takes
One moment of joy when your heart breaks awake
One word of praise to every Buddha that's been
Every Buddha that is, every Buddha again
One word of praise—that's the gate, that's the key
One moment of joy sets the whole cosmos free

[Outro - Return to intimate]
So what if the greatest thing you'll ever do
Is waiting in the very next moment for you?
Just one word of praise
One simple word of praise
Hallelujah—one word of praise

[End with sustained resolution]

One Word of Praise

This one's for anyone who's ever felt like they were reading the recipe for life but still going hungry. "Gonna Get My Hands Dirty" is a folk-blues story that digs into some old, powerful parables: one about a house on fire where the people inside are too busy playing to notice the danger , and another about a king's son who forgets his inheritance and has to work his way back to remembering his own worth.  

It's a song about the simple, gritty truth that wisdom isn't found on a page—it's earned in the dirt, in the work, and in the choice to act with compassion. It’s about rolling up your sleeves and realizing that the only way to make things real is to get your hands dirty.

Inspired by the teachings of the Lotus Sūtra, this track is built on a foundation of raw acoustic guitar, weeping slide, and a wailing harmonica. For fans of story-driven folk and blues that asks the big questions.

Lyrics: 

(Acoustic guitar intro, slow and steady like a train rhythm)

(Verse 1)
The roof is on fire, the floorboards are hot
But the children are playin' with the toys they got
Don't see the danger, don't see the rot
In this burnin' house, they've already forgot.
A man stands outside, he's callin' their name
Says, "I got you somethin' better than this foolish game."
He don't waste his time tryin' to explain the flame
He just knows the gettin' out is the whole aim.   

(Chorus)
'Cause you can read the recipe 'til your eyes go blind
But the truth ain't on the page, it's what you do and find.
Gotta get your hands dirty in this world of mine
'Cause readin' ain't the same as cookin' when it's supper time.

(Verse 2)
I was a king's son, but I ran from my home
For fifty long years, I was destined to roam.
Dressed in rags and sorrow, chilled to the bone
Forgot the great fortune that I'd always owned.
I stumbled back home, but I didn't know the place
Saw my own father, but couldn't see his face.
He saw my shame, my fall from grace
And knew the whole truth would make me flee the space.   

(Verse 3)
So he hired me on for a poor man's pay
To shovel the dirt at the close of the day.
For twenty long years, he showed me the way
Built me back slowly, come what may.
He never once told me, "Son, you are my heir"
He just let my own work chase off my despair.
'Til I was strong enough, the real truth to bear
That the whole damn kingdom was always my share.   

(Chorus)
You can read the recipe 'til your eyes go blind
But the truth ain't on the page, it's what you do and find.
Gotta get your hands dirty in this world of mine
'Cause readin' ain't the same as cookin' when it's supper time.

(Bridge)
Then the ground beneath me started to shake and to groan
And a million helpers rose up from the stone.
They weren't from the heavens, they were flesh and bone
Born of this suffering world, to make it their own.   
They said, "The work ain't 'bout savin' just you from the fire"
"It's about stayin' behind, to lift everyone higher".   

(Chorus)
So I'll read the recipe, but I won't be blind
'Cause the truth ain't on the page, it's in the daily grind.
Gonna get my hands dirty for all of humankind
'Cause readin' ain't the same as cookin', and it's supper time.

(Outro, guitar slows)
Yeah, it's supper time...
Gonna help my brother...
Gonna help my sister...
It's supper time.
(Final chord fades)

Gonna Get My Hands Dirty

"The One That Stays" wrestles with an ancient question: How do ordinary people offer something sacred when the old stories demand the impossible?

Inspired by Buddhist teachings about sacrifice and perseverance, this song explores the tension between spectacular acts of devotion and the quiet heroism of simply continuing—of getting up, showing up, and staying present through hardship. It's about redefining what it means to give your life to something greater: not through dramatic gestures, but through the unglamorous work of enduring for what you believe in.

The song asks: What if the body isn't meant to be destroyed, but to stay? What if the perfect offering isn't burning out, but burning on—day after ordinary day?

For anyone who's ever felt too small, too broken, or too ordinary to matter: this one's for you. The light that changes the world comes from lives that refuse to break.

Bluesy folk pop with soul. A song about resilience, faith, and the sacred ordinary.

Lyrics: 
[Verse 1--Intimate, introspective, stripped back]
They said the old saint lit himself on fire 
Twelve hundred years of light, arms ablaze 
How can I match that pyre 
With my small hands and ordinary days?

The book says we all can wake right here
In this skin, this bone, this very life
But if waking means I disappear—
Then what's the body even for?

[Chorus--Anthemic but earthy, building intensity without losing intimacy]
But the fire is what they do to you 
And you keep walking anyway 
The perfect gift ain't the spectacular view 
It's the only body—the one that stays 
Yeah, the only body is the one that stays

[Verse 2--Intimate, introspective, stripped back]
The teacher said, "You misunderstand the flame" 
The body is the treasure, not the kindling 
It's persecution that will stake your claim 
When you stand for truth while the world is dwindling

Not just any suffering counts, he said 
Only what you bear for what is true 
Not the lost accounts or the emperor dead 
But the dailiness of rising when they come for you

[Chorus--Anthemic but earthy, building intensity without losing intimacy]
'Cause the fire is what they do to you 
And you keep walking anyway 
The perfect gift ain't the spectacular view 
It's the only body—the one that stays 
Yeah, the only body is the one that stays

[Bridge--Vulnerable, space opens up, instruments pull back before final chorus surge]
So I offer up this job, this grief, this bread 
This rising when I'd rather stay in bed 
This helping when I'm barely standing tall 
The mystic law transforms it all— 
Into the flame without the cost 
Of leaving nothing when you're lost

[Verse 3--Intimate, introspective, stripped back]
The light that saves the world, I've learned 
Comes from a life that will not break 
From hands that give, from bridges burned 

From the heart that makes its stand for giving's sake
In this ordinary, unspectacular land 
Where enlightenment blooms in mortal clay—

[Final Chorus--Anthemic but earthy, building intensity without losing intimacy]
Yeah, the fire is what they do to you 
And you keep walking anyway 
The perfect gift ain't the spectacular view 
It's the only body—the one that stays 
The only body—the one that stays 
The only body is the one that stays

The One That Stays

"The Day the Buddha Called My Name" is a powerful acoustic blues-folk track that tells a story of profound spiritual transformation. It speaks to anyone who has felt limited by their own expectations or been searching for their true, unbounded potential.

The song’s narrative is drawn directly from Chapter Nine of the ancient Lotus Sūtra. It begins with the weariness of a disciple who thought they had reached the end of their path in a "low goal" of limited peace (Arhatship). The music then swells dramatically to describe the moment the Buddha confers a Prophecy (Vyākaraṇa), revealing that all beings are destined for the highest, complete state of Buddhahood.  

This assurance sparks an explosive, overwhelming joy, likened to being "sprinkled with sweet dew" (Amṛta) —a symbol of eternal life and spiritual rebirth. The song is a declaration of universal potential, asserting that the single, ultimate path (Ekayāna) is open to everyone, regardless of where they are on their journey.  

It is an anthem about moving from resignation to courageous, dynamic engagement with life, confirming that the greatest realization is inherent within us all.  

Lyrics: 
(Music starts with a slow, steady acoustic guitar riff and a sustained harmonica note, establishing a grounded blues tempo.)

(Verse 1—Guitar and bass rhythm only. Harmonica enters mournfully. Vocal is conversational, weary storytelling. Theme: The limited "rest" of Arhatship.)  I walked the road for forty years or more, 
Thought I’d seen every truth behind the door.  I took my peace, thought my fighting days were done,  Thought I’d reached the Arhat’s rest, beneath the setting sun.  But that Nirvāṇa felt cold, thin, and deep,  A quiet kind of promise that I couldn't keep.  

(Chorus—Dynamic shift. Energy and harmony lift (to relative major). Drums enter. Vocal delivers powerful, Gospel-style conviction and Joy. Lyric emphasis on "Prophecy" and "Sweet Dew.")  Then the Buddha called my name, Lord, He called out loud and clear, 
Wiped away my blindness and He banished all my fear. 
He gave a Prophecy to me, a future guarantee 
That the final path is open, open even unto me. 
Feel that sweet, sweet Dew fall, washes all the sorrow clean 
The boundless potential, wider than I’d ever seen.  

(Verse 2—Return to conversational style.) 
He said the paths you walked, they were a Skillful Means 
Just different kinds of pictures to describe the ancient scenes. 
He said the Three Great Ways, they point to only One wide path 
To turn away from seeking truth invites the Dharma’s wrath. 
We thought we were done, ready for the final sleep, 
But the fire of the Buddha runs so strong and runs so deep.  

(Chorus—Full, powerful repeat. Emphasize universal potential.) 
Then the Buddha called my name, Lord, He called out loud and clear, 
Wiped away my blindness and He banished all my fear. 
He gave a Prophecy to me, a future guarantee 
That the final path is open, open even unto me. 
Feel that sweet, sweet Dew fall, washes all the sorrow clean 
The boundless potential, wider than I’d ever seen.  

(Bridge) 
It ain’t a static state of calm, ain’t just a simple prayer, 
It's the dynamic unfolding, wisdom in the air. 
Gotta take this new assurance, gotta live it right now, 
Gotta work for every being, gotta keep my Bodhisattva vow. 
This Completeness ain't for me alone, it’s for the wide, wide world 
Every single banner must be finally unfurled.  

(Outro—Guitar and Harmonica sustain a fading chord, ending on a note of deep, settled peace.) 
Yeah, the final path is open... for you, and for me. 
The boundless One Vehicle... for all humanity. 
O, that sweet dew... (Harmonica fades slowly) 
Washes me clean.  

The Day the Buddha Called My Name

"The Patient Heart Blues" - A Song About Standing Strong While Walking Away
Sometimes the hardest thing in the world is knowing when to stay and when to go. This song came from studying an ancient Buddhist text about patience—but not the kind of patience where you just take whatever comes. Real patience, the kind that refuses to break.

The Buddha said when people come at you with "swords, sticks, and stones," you should be patient. But here's the twist: being patient doesn't mean being a doormat. It means having such unshakable inner strength that you don't need to hit back—AND being wise enough to protect yourself and walk away when you need to.

Sometimes walking away IS the strongest thing you can do.

Inspired by scholarly analysis of the Lotus Sutra, Chapter 10 For everyone who's still learning to put themselves first without losing their heart

🎵 "It's fire in your belly sayin' 'I won't quit,' / It's wisdom in your heart knowin' when to split" 🎵


Lyrics: 
(Verse 1)
Well, they comin’ at me with their sticks and stones,
Yeah, they comin’ at me with their sticks and stones,
But I got a strength inside that won’t leave my bones.

(Verse 2)
Buddha told me, “Son, you think of me,”
Buddha told me, “Child, you think of me,”
When the world gets mean, that’s when you’re finally free.

(Chorus)
‘Cause patience ain’t about just takin’ the hit,
No, patience ain’t about just takin’ the hit,
It’s standin’ so strong that you refuse to quit.

(Verse 3)
Now they call me names and they wish me harm,
Yeah, they call me names and they wish me harm,
But I keep my center, I keep my calm.

(Verse 4)
See, anger’s just a poison in your own sweet cup,
That anger’s just a poison in your own sweet cup,
You drink that down, you’re the one messed up.

(Chorus)
But patience ain’t about just takin’ the hit,
No, patience ain’t about just takin’ the hit,
It’s standin’ so strong that you refuse to quit.

(Bridge - Spoken/Half-sung)
Now listen here, I got somethin’ to say,
‘Bout compassion and boundaries and findin’ your way—
You can love somebody’s soul, their light divine,
But still walk away when they cross that line.

(Verse 5)
I built me a fence, strong and tall,
Yeah, I built me a fence, strong and tall,
Keeps me safe and keeps them from their fall.

(Verse 6)
’Cause if I let ’em hurt me, they hurt themselves more,
If I let ‘em hurt me, they hurt themselves more,
That’s just how karma settles the score.

(Chorus)
See, patience ain’t about just takin’ the hit,
No, patience ain’t about just takin’ the hit,
It’s lovin’ so deep but you still don’t quit.

(Verse 7)
Three kinds of patience, that’s what I found,
Yeah, three kinds of patience Buddha laid down,
Face your own pain, handle folks’ mean sound,
And know ain’t nothin’ permanent on this ground.

(Verse 8)
When you realize there ain’t no “you” to defend,
When you realize there ain’t no “you” to defend,
That’s when the sufferin’ finally ends.

(Final Chorus)
‘Cause patience ain’t about just takin’ the hit,
No, patience ain’t about just takin’ the hit,
It’s fire in your belly sayin’ “I won’t quit,”
It’s wisdom in your heart knowin’ when to split,
It’s lovin’ the world while you still protect it.

(Outro)
So when them swords come swingin’, when them stones start flyin’,
When them swords come swingin’, when them stones start flyin’,
I’m walkin’ away strong—ain’t no use in cryin’,
Got a patient heart, yeah, and that ain’t no lyin’.

[Harmonica wail]

The Patient Heart Blues

A blues anthem for anyone who's ever felt broken beyond repair.

This song tells the story of Maya Chen—a disbarred lawyer serving time for embezzlement—and Rosa, the older woman who taught her a simple Buddhist chant in their shared cell block. What starts as desperate skepticism becomes a practice of transformation: Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

Through gritty fingerpicked guitar, raw vocals, and layered harmonies that build from one voice to a chorus of women, "Cell Block Chant" explores what "protection" really means. Not a shield from hardship, but the strength to stand in the storm. Not magic, but the daily work of turning poison into medicine. Not receiving salvation, but discovering you had the power all along—and using it to help the next person who needs it.

The song moves from the isolation of Cell Block D to a circle of voices, from shame to purpose, from one cracked mirror to an unbreakable reflection. It's about what happens when you help someone else wake up: you wake up more.

This isn't prosperity gospel. This is survival blues. This is the sound of resurrection through giving what you were given.

Musically rooted in deep blues, folk, and gospel traditions—think early Mavis Staples meeting Brandi Carlile in a prison yard—with handclaps, foot stomps, harmonica, and a Buddhist chant that sounds like it's always belonged in American roots music.

For everyone who's been told they're irredeemable. For everyone who found strength in their scars. For everyone who learned that protecting others is how you protect yourself.

"It ain't magic, it ain't mercy—it's a mirror in the morning, showing you who you're gonna be."

CONTENT NOTE: This song deals with themes of incarceration, shame, addiction, and transformation. It's meant to honor the resilience of people navigating these realities.

ABOUT THE CHANT: Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is a practice from Nichiren Buddhism meaning "I take refuge in the mystic law of cause and effect." It's used here with deep respect for its tradition and the real people who've found strength through it.

Featured: Acoustic guitar (DADGAD), upright bass, vintage drums, electric guitar, Hammond B3, harmonica, layered vocals, handclaps, foot stomps

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Cell Block Chant

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Welcome to the musical world of The William Altig Choir, where ancient wisdom meets contemporary sound.

Inspired by the teachings of the Lotus Sutra and infused with deep spiritual themes, my music blends the rich traditions of blues and folk with modern elements, creating a unique fusion that resonates with both the heart and soul.

I've been captivated by the Lotus Sutra's messages of compassion, wisdom, and transformation since my youth. It's a journey of self-discovery that has found its voice in my music. Each song is a reflection of my own spiritual awakening and a celebration of universal truths.

My style is characterized by emotive storytelling, powerful lyrics, and a commitment to exploring the depths of human experience. Featuring contemplative blues, acoustic slide guitar, saxophone melodies, and the harmonies of a gospel choir, my music reflects a quest for enlightenment and a better understanding of the self.

Join me on this musical journey. Together, we can explore the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, finding solace, hope, and a deeper connection to the world around us.

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A Kindness Built to Last

The William Altig Choir

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