The poem describes Buddhist monks as soldiers marching to spread Buddha's teachings. It discusses hearing their footsteps and seeing their banners as they march through important Buddhist sites like Lumbini, Bodhgaya, and Sarnath. However, rather than fighting for an earthly king, they battle illusion and darkness with righteousness, wisdom, and the Buddha's teachings in order to help mankind progress. The soldiers aim to spread Buddha's message of truth and love throughout the world.

1. Buddha's Soldiers - A Buddhist Hymn

2. Have you heard the sound of footsteps As of soldiers marching on? Lumbini

3. Have you seen their banners waving? Have you heard their battle song? Lumbini

4. Lumbini Have you watched their blazing torches Lighting up their columns long?

5. Have you heard the sound of footsteps As of soldiers marching on? Bodhgaya

6. Yes, we heard their footsteps thunder In the watches of the night Bodhgaya

7. And we saw their banners waving By their torches' flaring light Bodhgaya

8. And the stirring songs they shouted Filled our hearts with strange delight Sarnath

9. Yes, we heard their footsteps thunder In the watches of the night Sarnath

10. Sarnath It was sad to see them marching To some battlefield of pain,

11. There to leave their youthful bodies ‘ Mid the fallen and the slain Kusinara

12. That some earthly king or monarch On his golden throne might reign Kusinara

13. It was sad to see them marching To some battlefield of pain Kusinara

14. Nay, these are the Buddha's soldiers And the foe they seek to slay

15. Is illusion's self that hinders Mankind's progress day by day Kapilavastu

16. Savatthi Righteousness the sword they carry Wisdom's torch that lights their way

17. Nay, these are the Buddha’s soldiers And the foe they seek to slay Savatthi

18. For no earthly king or monarch Do they march to meet the fight Vesali

19. But to spread the Buddha's Teaching In the darkness of our night Rajgir

20. And to crown the Truth triumphant In the splendor of Love's Light Rajgir

21. For no earthly king or monarch Do they march to meet the fight Nalanda

22. Bodhgaya The End Know Dhamma Make Dhamma known