Zen Letters
回六祖
~~~
菩提称是树
明镜称是镜
若心空自觉
虚尘无所住
- 無位禪
Replying to Sixth Ancestor
~~~
Bodhi merely labelled tree
Mirror merely labelled so
With mind’s empty aware-ing
Illusory dust nowhere abides
- Wuwei Chan
Commentary:
Bodhidharma comes from the west, planting seeds of bodhi in lands thirsting for water. Emperor dozed off, then spewed anger. But no heads rolled. For the old bearded monk leaves no trace.
Punching fists into air, swirling hands of space, harmonizing breath of life — Yijin Jing weaves its wonderful magic in the Middle Kingdom. Bald ones smile in grateful joy. Water starts to flow. Young forest grows. How fresh!
Poor old Bodhidharma! Only sandals left. Wordless wisdom transmitted. At last.
Naked clueless Emperor. Nothing’s left. Autumn rainbows in view. At last.
