11月6日

撥火悟平生
宋 龍門清遠 ( 1067~1120 )

刀刀林鳥啼，披衣終夜坐；
撥火悟平生，窮神歸破墮。
事皎人自迷，曲淡誰能和？
念之永不忘，門開少人過。

──選自《嘉泰普燈錄》

November 6

Poking the Fire, Awakening to Life
Longmen Qingyuan (1067 - 1120, Song Dynasty)
English translation: Miao Guang

The chirping of birds cutting through the forest,
Sitting through the night, wrapped in my coat;
While poking fire, I awaken to life,
Exhausting all energy, I refer to Master Pozaoduo.

Matters are clear, only people themselves confused,
Who is able to sing a chorus to a tune that is too soft?
Be mindful of this and never forget it,
The door is open, but only few do pass through it.

── from Jiatai Pudeng Lu (Record of the Jiatai Era's Transmission of the Lamp)