Search this Site
Discussion Forum
The Three Jewels
The Buddha
The Dharma (teachings)
The Sangha (community)
A Taste of Zen

Buddhism in Japan
Zen FAQ-sheet
Zen Bodhisattva Vow
Zen Poems and Haiku
Zen Stories
Song of the Mind
Zen Computer Fun

Philosophy

Three Vehicles
The Four Noble Truths
Karma
Death & Rebirth
The Mind
Four Immeasurables
Compassion & Bodhicitta
Wisdom of Emptiness
Spiritual Teacher
Going for Refuge
FAQ- sheet

Practice & Meditation
Everyday Behaviour
What is Meditation
How to Meditate
58 Meditations
Tantric Preliminaries
Tantric Practice
Problematic Emotions

Introduction
Anger
Attachment
Guilt
Lack of Self-Confidence
Depression
Fear
Other Delusions
Summary

Symbolism

In General Buddhism
In Tantra
5 Dhyani Buddhas
In Tibetan Buddhism
In the Kalachakra Tantra

Stories, Quotes & Fun

Stories from the Heart
Buddhist Stories
Buddhist Quotes

Quotes of Wisdom
Poetry
Funny Pages...

My Main Teachers
The Dalai Lama
Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche
Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Resources
Teachings&Articles
Sutras & Practices

Vows & Prayers...

History of Buddhism...
Recommended Books
A to Z Glossary
Number Glossary
Contact me
Tibetan Buddhism
Buddhism in Tibet
Tibetan Calendar
Tibetan Astrology

Tibetan Symbolism
Navigation
Web Links
Search this Site
Home
  
Dharma Wheel by Bob Jacobson

A View on Buddhism

Zen - Japanese development of Chinese Ch'an

Song of the Mind

by Niutou Farong (594-657)

I found this very typical Zen text in the Daily Zen Journal, hope you enjoy it, the slower you go through it, the better it may prove to be; every single line can fill a meditation session.

The nature of the mind is non-arising,
What need is there of knowledge and views?
Originally there is not a single dharma;
Why discuss inspiration and training?

Coming and going without beginning;
Sought for, it is not seen.
No need to do anything;
It is bright, still, self-apparent.

The past is like empty space;
Know anything and the
Basic principle is lost,
Casting a clear light on the world,
Illuminating, yet obscured.

If one-mindedness is impeded,
All dharmas are misunderstood.
Coming and going thus,
Is there need for thorough investigation?

Arising without the mark of arising,
Arising and illumination are the same.
Desiring to purify the mind,
There is no mind for effort.

Spontaneous wisdom
Throughout time and space
Nothing is illuminated;
This is most profound.
Knowing dharmas is non-knowing;
Non-knowing is knowing the essential.

Using the mind to maintain quietude,
Birth and death forgotten;
This is original nature.

The highest principle cannot be explained;
It is neither free nor bound.
Lively and attuned to everything,
It is always right before you.

There is nothing in front of you;
Nothing, yet everything is as usual.
Do not belabor wisdom to examine it;
Substance itself is empty and obscure.

Thoughts arise and pass away,
The preceding no different from the succeeding.
If the succeeding thought does not arise,
The preceding thought cuts itself off.

In past, present, and future,
There is nothing;
No mind, no buddha.
Sentient beings are without mind;
Out of no-mind they manifest.

Distinguishing between profane and sacred,
Their vexations flourish.
Splitting hairs deviates from the eternal.
Seeking the real, you give up the true.

Discarding both is the cure,
Transparent, bright, pure.
No need for hard work or skill;
Keep to the actions of an infant.

Clearly knowing,
The net of views increases
Stillness without seeing,
Not moving in a dark room.

Wakeful without wandering,
The mind is tranquil yet bright.
All phenomena are real and eternal,
Profuse, yet of a single form.

Going, coming, sitting, standing,
Don't attach to anything.
Affirming no direction,
Can there be leaving or entering?

There is neither unifying nor dispersing,
Neither slow nor quick.
Brightness and tranquility are
Just as they are.
They cannot be explained in words.

Mind is without alienation;
No need to terminate lust.
Nature being empty, lust will
Depart by itself.
Allow the mind to float and sink.

Neither clear nor clouded,
Neither shallow nor deep.
Originally it was not ancient;
At present it is not modern.

Now it is non-abiding;
Now it is original mind.
Originally it did not exist;
"Origin" is the present moment.

Bodhi has always existed;
No need to preserve it.
Vexation has never existed,
No need to eliminate it.

Natural wisdom is self-illuminating;
All dharmas return to thusness.
There is no returning, no receiving;
Stop contemplating, forget keeping.


Wisdom from the Zen Classic Xin Ming"
Translated by Master Sheng Yen

Previous Page | ^Top of Page

Last rebirth of this page: November 24, 2006