Why do I talk here?
Only because you followers of tao
go galloping around in search of the mind,
and are unable to stop it. On the other hand,
the ancients acted in a leisurely way,
appropriate to circumstances
as they arose.
Since the
mind is non-existent,
wherever you are, you
are emancipated.
the highest good is like water
The great Tao
floods and flows in every direction.
Everything in existence depends on it, and it doesn’t deny them.
It accomplishes its work without naming or making claims for itself.
Everything in existence is clothed and nourished by it,
but it doesn’t strain over anything.
Aimless, ambitionless, it might
be called “small.”
Everything in
existence returns to it,
and still it doesn’t lord over anything.
Thus it might also be called
“great.”
Because it has no desire to
be great, it can achieve
greatness.
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In ancient times, people lived holistic lives. They didn’t overemphasize the intellect, but integrated mind, body, and spirit in all things. This allowed them to become masters of knowledge rather than victims of concepts.
If a new invention appeared, they looked for the troubles it might cause as well as the shortcuts it offered. They valued old ways that had been proven effective, and they valued new ways if they could be proven effective.
If you want to stop being confused, then emulate these ancient folk: join your body, mind, and spirit in all you do. Choose food, clothing, and shelter that accords with nature. Rely on your own body for transportation. Allow your work and your recreation to be one and the same. Do exercise that develops your whole being and not just your body. Listen to music that bridges the three spheres of your being. Choose leaders for their virtue rather than their wealth or power. Serve others and cultivate yourself simultaneously.
Understand that true growth comes from meeting and solving the problems of life in a way that is harmonizing to yourself and to others. If you can follow these simple old ways, you will be continually renewed.
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Hua hu Ching, Wei wu Wei Ching,
You
can now buy
Hua hu Ching as part of a
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book.
When bodhisattvas who live a householder’s life cultivate the practices of home-leavers, it is like a lotus blooming in fire. It will always be hard to tame the will for fame and rank and power and position, not to mention all the myriad starting points of vexation and turmoil associated with the burning house of worldly existence. The only way is for you yourself to realize your fundamental, real, wondrous wholeness and reach the stage of great calm and stability and rest.
It would be best if you managed to cast off everything and be empty and ordinary. Thoroughly experience the absence of conditioned mind, and observe that all phenomena are like dreams and magical illusions. Be empty all the way through, and continue on clearing out your mind according to the time and the situation. Then you will have the same correct foundation as all the great enlightened laymen in buddhist tradition.
According to your own measure of power, you will transform those not yet enlightened so you can enter together into the uncontrived, uncluttered ocean of true nature. Then your life here on this earth will not be a loss.
If you wish
to bring the two matters
of birth and death to conclusion,
and pass directly beyond the triple-world,
you must penetrate the koan “This
very mind is Buddha.”
Tell me:
What is its principle?
How is it that this very mind
is Buddha? And “this very
mind” — just what is
it like?
Investigate it coming. Investigate it going.
Investigate it thoroughly and exhaustively.
All you have to do is keep this koan
constantly in your thoughts.