The Harmony of Difference & Unity: Pt. IV

The Harmony of Difference & Equality

Brightness and darkness correspond,

Like one step following another.

All things have their own function

Depending on their use and location.

Phenomena stores, seals, covers, combines.

Principle yields to the arrow, the sword's edge, the stick.

Received teachings must be reconciled with basic principle;

Do not establish your own rules.

Using your eyes, the path is lost.

Using your feet, how can you know the road?

Moving forward there is no near or far;

Confusion creates mountains and rivers of obstructions.

I implore those who investigate the mysterious:

Do not waste your time!

Trans: Ming Yee Wang & Pei-gwang Dowiat

Light and dark are relative to one another

Like forward and backward steps.

All things have their function -

It is a matter of use in the appropriate situation.

Phenomena exist like box and cover joining;

Principle accords like arrow points meeting.

Hearing the words, you should understand the source;

Don't make up standards on your own.

If you don't understand the path as it meets your eyes,

How can you know the way as you walk?

Progress is not a matter of far or near,

But if you are confused, mountains and rivers block the way.

I humbly say to those who study the mystery,

Don't waste time.

Trans: Thomas Cleary

Light and dark are mutual polarities,

for example, like front and back steps.

The ten thousand things naturally have their function,

and are regarded in the use and placement of words.

Phenomena exist like the joining of a box and lid.

Principle responds like the support of the sharp point of an arrow.

In receiving words you should meet the ancestors,

and not establish rules by yourself.

If your contacting eye does not meet the Way,

how do you know the path by using your feet?

Progress is not near or far;

bewilderment causes the distance from mountains and rivers.

Sincerely, I say to people who meet the profound depths,

from brightness and shadow, there are none crossed over in vain.

Trans: Gregory Wonderwheel

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By Shitou 'Slippery Path' Xiqian

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What is the communities assessment of these translations in terms of the obv. stuff like word choice, readability, clarity in terms of making the numerous connections to other Zen references easier?

How might a poor translation or one that is forged primarily by the author's religious biases affect discussion of said text?

These are basic questions anyone who has done the assigned reading can answer.

Now for the test:

Meeting the path as it meets your eye...how is that practiced?

Submitted September 29, 2020 at 07:28AM by ThatKir https://ift.tt/30iwECX