With “While You’re Still Here,” Bodhi-Bowl turns an ancient line from the Mangala Sutta into a tender, modern reflection on love that doesn’t wait. Inspired by the verse that names cherishing one’s wife and children as the highest blessing, the song sidesteps grand gestures and instead lingers in the ordinary light of phone calls, shared voices, and showing up fully before time slips past. Gentle, sincere, and quietly devotional, it’s a reminder that awareness isn’t abstract—it lives in holding close the people who make a life feel like home.

Buddha’s message is not about telling everyone to become a monk. In the Mangala Sutta, a seemingly simple verse—“the cherishing of wife and children is the highest blessing”—opens up rich space for reflection on how this can be lived and practised. It reminds us that the Dhamma is deeply relevant to lay life, and it offers meaningful opportunities for lay practitioners to share their lived wisdom during Dharma discussions.

Bodhi-Bowl

Lyrics

[Verse 1]

Saw your name light up my phone today

This time I won’t let it fade away

’Cause tomorrow’s a promise we can’t keep

So I’m choosing now, before it slips from me

My life feels full when I hear your voice

Blessed days with the kids around

Simple truths I forget sometimes

When I’m lost in the noise and sound

[Pre-Chorus]

We always say, “Another time”

Like love can wait in line

But it needs a little tending

Just to keep the dark outside

[Chorus]

So I’ll love you while you’re still here

Say the words I used to hide

Hold you close in ordinary light

With my heart open wide

This blessed life needs awareness

To be present, to be true

I won’t wait, I won’t take for granted

All the time I have with you

While we’re still here, still here…

[Verse 2]

Every call’s a gift, I see it now

Why save our best for later somehow

The ones who share my heartbeat

Are the reason that I stand

My shelter and my harbor

When I don’t know where I am

[Pre-Chorus 2]

Nothing here is guaranteed

So this is my belief

I’ll show up with my whole heart

For every moment we receive

[Chorus]

So I’ll love you while you’re still here

Say the words I used to hide

Hold you close in ordinary light

With my heart open wide

This blessed life needs awareness

To be present, to be true

I won’t wait, I won’t take for granted

All the time I have with you

While we’re still here

[Bridge]

No perfect time, no someday

Just this breath, just this day

[Final Chorus]

I’ll love you while you’re still here

Not a second left unsaid

This blessed life is happening now

Before it turns to what we had

So I’ll stay, I’ll stay aware

Choose love, choose you

While we’re still here

[Mantra Outro]

Putta darassa saṅgaho

Hold them close, don’t let them go

Putta darassa saṅgaho

This is love, this is home

Putta darassa saṅgaho

Still here… still here…

To access the song, click on My Buddhist Songs.

May all be well and happy.