Infinite Circle--Teachings in Zen by Bernie Glassman

[Guest guest]

The Identity of Relative and Absolute

 

by SHIH-T'OU HSI-CH'IEN

 

 

The mind of the Great Sage of India

Is intimately conveyed west and east.

Among human beings are wise ones and fools,

In the Way there is no teacher of north and south.

The subtle Source is clear and bright:

The branching streams flow in the dark.

To be attached to things is primordial illusion;

To encounter the absolute is not yet enlightenment.

All spheres every sense and field, intermingle even as

they shine alone,

Interacting even as they merge

Yet keeping their places in expressions of their own.

Forms differ primarily in shape and character

And sounds in harsh or soothing tones.

The dark makes all words one;

The brightness distinguishes good and bad phrases.

The four elements return to their true nature

As a child to its mother.

Fire is hot water is wet,

Wind moves and the earth is dense.

Eye and form, ear and sound, nose and smell

Tongue and taste, the sweet and sour:

Each independent of the other

Like leaves that come from the same root.

And though leaves and root must go back to the Source

Both root and leaves have their own uses.

Darkness is light;

Do not see it as light.

Light and darkness are not one, not two

Like the foot before and the foot behind in walking.

Each thing has its own being

Which is not different from its place and function.

The relative fits the absolute

As a box and its lid.

The absolute meets the relative

Like two arrows that meet in midair.

Hearing this simply perceive the Source,

Make no criterion.

If you do not see the Way,

You do not see it even as you walk on it.

When you walk the Way you draw no nearer,

Progress no farther.

Who fails to see this

Is mountains and rivers away.

Listen, those who would pierce this subtle matter:

Do not waste your time by night or day!

 

 

 

" The sun gives light as soon as he rises "

 

Benjamin Franklin

 

 

 

 

Have a Blessed Day,

Love and Peace,

Anna