...

Sometimes turn back
And contemplate closely
On an intimate level
Who the one reciting is.

~ T’aego

There is one thing here.
From the beginning it is clear
And bright and divine.
It has never appeared
Nor has it ever disappeared.
Its name cannot be obtained
Nor can its shape be obtained.

~ Sosan (1564-1579)

In the green creek spring water is clear
At Cold Mountain, the moon’s corona is white.
Silence your understanding, and
The spirit of itself is enlightened.
View all things as the Void and,
This world is even more still

~ Han Shan (c 730)

To be free from the passions
And to be calm,
This is the most excellent Way.

Sutra of Forty Two Chapters

Despite the obstacles,
I pursued the great monk
The misty mountains a million layers high
He pointed to the road back home
One round moon, lantern of the sky.

~ Han Shan (c 730)

If you endeavor to embrace
The Way through much learning,
The Way will not be understood.
If you observe the Way with
Simplicity of heart, great indeed is this Way.

Sutra of Forty Two Chapters

Ahead, the green creek sparkles as it flows
Toward the cliff, a huge rock
With a good edge for sitting
My heart is like a like a lone cloud,
With nothing to depend on
So far away from the world’s affairs
What need is there to search for anything?

~ Han Shan (~730)

Those who are pure in heart
And single in purpose are able
To understand the most supreme Way.
It is like polishing a mirror,
Which becomes bright
When the dust is removed.
Remove your passions,
And have no hankering,
And all will be revealed to you.

Sutra of Forty Two Chapters

I’m happy with the everyday way
Like the mist and vines in these rockstrewn ravines
This wilderness is so free and vast
My old friends, the white clouds, drift idly off

There is a road, but it doesn’t reach the world
Mindless, who can be disturbed by thoughts
At night I sit alone on a stone bed
While the round moon climbs the face of Cold Mountain

~ Han Shan (~ 730)

Good is to practice the Way
And to follow truth.
Great is the heart that
Is in accord with the Way.

Sutra of Forty Two Chapters

Those who have strong passions are never able to perceive the Way.
It is like stirring up clear water with your hands;
you may come wishing to find a reflection of your face,
but you'll never see clearly in disturbed waters.
A mind troubled and vexed with the passions is never able to see the Way.

Sutra of Forty Two Chapters

If you want to learn the Principles,
Don’t study fine bound books.
The True Pearl’s in a hemp sack
The Buddha nature rests in huts.
Many grasp the sack
But few open it.

Shih Te (~ 730)

This looks like the @rookie54 thread. 😉

-VR

@Very-Rusty said
This looks like the @rookie54 thread. 😉

-VR

@Ghost-of-a-Duke said
Just to clarify, do you actively go around looking for threads to ruin?