The mortal repetitions of nature, the hunting and desperation and death, the blooming and withering, charm us only as long as we remain unharmed by them. . . . Throughout the world creatures kill and suffer killing; everywhere there is error, bad luck, sickness, and exhaustion. For the most part this misery goes on out of our sight, which enables us, if we are sufficiently negligent, to dote on the benign displays of leaves, flowers, and moss, and contentedly admire the presumed perfection of things.
— Bhikkhu Nyanasobhano, Longing for Certainty