2月18日

上上機
唐 香嚴智閑 ( ?~898 )

一擊忘所知，更不假修持；
動容揚古道，不墮悄然機。
處處無蹤跡，聲色外威儀；
諸方達道者，咸言上上機。

──選自《禪宗頌古聯珠通集》

February 18th

The Highest Explanation
Xiangyan Zhixian ( ? - 898, Tang Dynasty)
English translation: John Balcom

One strike and I forgot all I knew─
No more will I rely on cultivation.
I have touched the Buddha's teaching
And will not fall into skillful explanations.
Nowhere is there found a trace,
Outside one's speech and comportment.
Those who have attained the Way from every direction
Each say they have the highest explanation.

── from Chanzong Songgu Lianzhu Tongji
(Comprehensive Collection of the Chan School’s Verses on
Ancient Precedents that are a String of Jewels)