Even the poorest thing shines

[Guest guest]

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My daily affairs are quite ordinary;

but I'm in total harmony with them.

I don't hold on to anything, don't reject anything;

nowhere an obstacle or conflict.

Who cares about wealth and honor?

Even the poorest thing shines.

My miraculous power and spiritual activity:

drawing water and carrying wood.

 

- Layman P'ang (c. 740-808)

 

 

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" The Enlightened Heart "

An Anthology of Sacred Poetry

Edited by Stephen Mitchell

Harper & Row, New York , 1989