Though countless stars illumine the night
And the moon brightly ornaments the earth,
Only the sun provides light for the day
And gives meaning to the terms “east” and “west.”

The man who accomplishes completely
One single act
Excels all sentient beings.
The moon when full illumines the earth ­
The multitude of stars have not this power.

—Nagarjuna (150-250 A.D.), as quoted in the most recent newsletter from Lama Surya Das.