Home
Meditations
& Events Schedule
Teaching
Schedule
Essays & Articles
Dharma Talks
Sangha
Reflections
Dharma Books
SANDOKAI
Harmony of Difference and Sameness
The mind of the great sage
of India
is intimately transmitted from west to east.
While human faculties are sharp or dull, the Way has no northern or southern ancestors.
The spiritual
source shines clear in the light;
the branching streams flow on in the dark.
Grasping at things is surely delusion; according with sameness is still not enlightenment.
All the objects of the senses
interact and yet do not.
Interacting
brings involvement.
Otherwise, each keeps its place
Sights vary in
quality and form,
sounds differ as pleasing or harsh.
Refined and
common speech come together in the dark,
clear and murky phrases are distinguished
in the light.
The four elements return to their natures
just as a
child turns to its mother;
Fire heats, wind moves,
water wets, earth
is solid.
Eye and sights, ear and sounds,
nose and smells, tongue
and tastes;
Thus with each and every thing,
depending on these roots,
the leaves spread forth.
Trunk and branches share the essence;
revered
and common, each has its speech.
In the light there is darkness,
but
don't take it as darkness;
In the dark there is light,
but don't see
it as light.
Light and dark oppose one another
like the front and
back foot in walking.
Each of the myriad things has its merit,
expressed
according to function and place.
Phenomena exist; box and lid fit.
principle responds; arrowpoints meet.
Hearing the words, understand the
meaning;
don't set up standards of your own.
If you don't understand
the Way right before you,
how will you know the path as you walk?
Progress
is not a matter of far or near,
but if you are confused, mountains and rivers
block your way.
I respectfully urge you who study the mystery,
do
not pass your days and nights in vain.
By
Shitou Xiqian (Sekito Kisen; 700-790)