The Merging of Difference and Unity

The mind of India's great sage
Was quietly confided from west to east.

People's abilities may be dull or sharp,
But in the Path, there are no
Southern or northern ancestors.

The spiritual source is bright and pure.
It flows and branches out imperceptibly.
To grasp at things is basically false,
But to concentrate only on principle
Isn't enlightening either.

The senses and sense-objects in all their aspects
May interact or not.
If so, they affect each other mutually;
If not, they just remain separate.

Colors differ naturally in quality and appearance;
Sounds can be pleasant or sad.
In the darkness, you can't tell up from down,
But in brightness, you can distinguish
Between pure and defiled.

The four elements follow their own nature
As a child follows its mother: fire heats, wind shakes,
Water moistens, and the earth remains firm.
There are colors for the eyes and sound for the ear,
Fragrances for the nose, salt and vinegar for the tongue.

 

But according to the true law,
As leaves spread outward away from the trunk.
Whatever spreads out must come back to the source.
Thus "honorable" and "low-born" are nothing more than words.

In light there is darkness,

but don't meet it as darkness.

In darkness there is light,

but don't see it as light.

Light and darkness are opposites,
Like forward and backward steps.

Each thing has its own function:
It's a question of how it is used.
Phenomena fit together like box and cover,
While principle impacts like an arrow
Meeting its target.

Hearing these words, you should understand
Their source ? don't make up your own rules!
If you can't see the path in front of you,
How will you follow the Way?

Progress isn't measured by near or far,
But if you get lost,
Mountains and rivers will separate you.

I humbly say to students of this profound teaching:
Don't waste any time!