Teachings From Ancient Vietnamese Zen Masters – 38
13 Swallow Flying
In the sky, the swallow flies;
underwater its image shines.
The swallow has no intention to leave any trace;
the water, no purpose to keep any image.
HUONG HAI (1628 – 1715)
(COMMENT: When King Le Du Tong asked for a summary of Buddhist
teachings, Zen master Huong Hai said this four-line poem. Watch the
world, and see all things reflected in your mind. Follow the Buddha’s
words, “Nothing should be clung to.” Also don’t cling to the happiness
you are feeling now, even don’t cling to this peaceful meditation you
might get addicted to, even don’t cling to any feel-good method or
whatsoever. Don’t cling to anything in this suffering world. Even the
blissfulness you feel now in meditation will bind you in this suffering
realm, if you cling to it; mostly, that blissfulness is not the Nirvana yet.)
