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The mind is like a reflection in a mirror:

P'ang Yun (Layman P'ang), P'ang Yun (Layman P'ang) poetry, Buddhist, Buddhist poetry, Zen / Chan poetry, [TRADITION SUB2] poetry,  poetry by P'ang Yun (Layman P'ang)
(740? - 808) Timeline

English version by
Stephen Mitchell

Original Language
Chinese

Buddhist : Zen / Chan
8th Century

The mind is like a reflection in a mirror:
Though it is insubstantial, it is not nonexistent.
What is, we have no control over;
And what isn't, is ephemeral
Aren't the esteemed sages
Just regular people who've resolved the matter?

There are changes upon changes.
Once the five components are clearly seen,
The diverse things in the world are joined into one.
How can there be two formless dharma bodies?
Once compulsive desires are eliminated and insight comes,
There are no thoughts about where the promised land may lie.

The will to survive must be killed off.
Once it is killed off, there will be peace of mind.
When the mind integrates this,
An iron ship has been made to float.

 

 

-- from The Sayings of Layman P'ang: A Zen Classic, Translated by James Green

Amazon.com

 

Themes

  Death
  Sexual Union
 
 
 


Recommended Books


The Enlightened Heart: An Anthology of Sacred Poetry, by Stephen Mitchell
The Sayings of Layman P'ang: A Zen Classic, Translated by James Green

 

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Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2011 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.