Teachings From Ancient Vietnamese Zen Masters – 106
There is neither sinfulness nor blessedness.
Don’t mistake wish-fulfilling gem for white jewel.
Gems could have scratches; Jewels, defects.
The mind nature is neither rosy nor green, neither gained nor lost.
Seven times seven is forty-nine.
The six perfections and the ten thousand conducts are waves on the
ocean;
The three poisons and the nine kinds of sentient beings, suns in the
sky.
Be still, be still, be still; Go down, go down, go down.
The essence of all phenomena is the Buddha mind.
The Buddha mind and your mind are one.
Such is, naturally, the profound meaning since endless time.
Walk in Zen, sit in Zen, then you will see the lotus blooming in fire.
When your will becomes weak, just strengthen it.
When your place is peaceful and suitable, just stay there.
Ah ah ah! Oh oh oh!
Sunken or floating, bubbles on the ocean are all empty.
All deeds are impermanent; All phenomena are void.
Where can you find the sacred bones of your late master?
Be mindful, be mindful, be awake; Be awake, be mindful, be mindful.
Keep four corners in contact with the ground; don’t let things tilt. If
someone here trusts like that, he can start walking from the crown of
Vairocana Buddha.
Shout!
TUE TRUNG THUONG SI (1230 – 1291)
(COMMENT: This poem says a lot. Any comment here would hurt its
poetic beauty.)
