Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Poem by Yichao

to Layman Red Pine
when your mind dwells nowhere
no corrupting thoughts arise
when you don't cling go the world
suffering and joy have no place to grow
every thought that you think
becomes the cause of life and death
understand impermanence
and find your ever-present body
- Yichao, attendant of Xuyun (the last great Chan master of 20th century China)
2006. quoted in Zen Baggage: A Pilgrimage to China. Bill Porter 2009 Counterpoint Press.

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