8月6日

禪堂
唐 柳宗元 ( 773~819 )

發地結青茅，團團抱虛白。
山花落幽戶，中有忘機客。
涉有本非取，照空不待柝。
萬籟俱緣生，窅然喧中寂。
心境本同如，鳥飛無遺跡。

──選自《禪林象器箋》

【案】在禪堂裡，不是訓練別人，是訓練我們自
己能逆來順受。面臨風雨，我心寧靜；面臨動亂，
我心安然，我心就是道場，我心就是佛國。道場、
佛國，自有自在安詳。

August 6

Inside the Meditation Hall
Liu Zongyuan (773 - 819, Tang Dynasty)
English translation: Miao Guang

Out of green cogongrass, over fertile land,
Surrounded by mountains, an untainted white.
Wild flowers falling over a secluded abode,
Inside which live guests with detached minds.
What concerns existence was never clinging,
Attaining emptiness needs no discriminating.
All sounds arise upon sufficient conditions,
Sadly they fall silent amidst disturbances.
Intrinsically, the mind works in the same way,
Not leaving a trace, like birds that fly away.

── from Chanlin Xiangqijian (Encyclopedia of the Chan Monastery)

NOTE: Our purpose inside the Meditation Hall is not to train others but
ourselves, so that we are able to grin and bear adversity. When faced with
challenges, remain tranquil at heart; when faced with chaos, remain at ease.
My heart is the place for cultivation, my heart is the Buddha land, inside
which there is naturally perfect ease and serenity.