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Poems from Stonehouse

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>From a favorite or mine, the 14th century Chinese hermit poet

Stonehouse (Translated by Red Pine)

 

Book One: Monatain Poems

 

92

True emptiness is silent but always present

masked by delusion for reasons unknown

our true nature never leaves unreal existence

flowers bloom and fall when the spring wind blows

 

110

Work with no mind and all work stops

no more passion or sorrow

but don't think no mind means you're done

the thought of no-mind still remains

 

157

I meditate alone in the quiet and dark

where nothing comes to mind

I sweep the steps when the west wind is done

I make a path for the moonlight

 

159

Good and bad fortune never lose the way

success and failure both depend on karma

realize both are empty at heart

and what doesn't change is real

 

177

If you don't read sutras when you're young

you won't know what they mean when you're old

you won't know a million doors

are in your infinitesimal mind

indulging all day in love and hate

how often will you think about life and death

one day old age will surprise you

and remorse will be too late

 

Book Two: Gathas

 

For abbot Chin

 

I write down these lines

to help you on the Path

try this mountain life of mine

pass your days in karma's wake

don't be like the monks who wander

east and west and north and south

in your ordinary actions

be alert don't relax

see though the one who sees

then your task is done

 

>From Below High Cliffs — ten poems

 

6

Below high cliffs

serene in solitude

not visited by time

the mind creates the world

the window holds a setting moon

the stove contains a dying fire

pity the sleeping man

startled from his butterfly's dream

 

 

 

--

We are Not two,

Richard

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