Humans born in to this floating world
quicky become like the readside dust
at dawn small childern
by sunset already grown whit-haired
without inner understanding
they struggle without cease
I ask the children of the universe
for what reason do you pass this way
-
I see people endlessly striving
alll wrapped up in themselves like silkworms
entirely motivated by a love for money
they allow themselves no leisure
as time passes they lose their own self-nature
year after year they become more foolish
one day will travel to the yellow springs
where they can't take any of their precious possessions
now others will enjoy the fruits of their efforts
while even their name are forgotten
there are so many people like this
Ah, I can't bear even talk about it.
extracted from The Art of ZEN by Stephen Addiss 1989
quicky become like the readside dust
at dawn small childern
by sunset already grown whit-haired
without inner understanding
they struggle without cease
I ask the children of the universe
for what reason do you pass this way
-
I see people endlessly striving
alll wrapped up in themselves like silkworms
entirely motivated by a love for money
they allow themselves no leisure
as time passes they lose their own self-nature
year after year they become more foolish
one day will travel to the yellow springs
where they can't take any of their precious possessions
now others will enjoy the fruits of their efforts
while even their name are forgotten
there are so many people like this
Ah, I can't bear even talk about it.
extracted from The Art of ZEN by Stephen Addiss 1989