New Mazu Translation: NEVER HAVE I EVER

A monk asked Mazu, "How can I become one with the Way?"

Mazu said, "I've never been one with the Way."

僧問､如何得合道。祖曰、我早不合道。

.

Welcome! ewk comment: The older translation that I'm familiar with has Mazu saying, "I am already not in harmony with the Way". Or something.

This has a pretty different vibe to it, imo. What do you think?

What's the Chinese say?

I was going to go with google translate because I'm lazy, but got this:

I'm out of line.

Okay, so mdbg:

"from long ago" "not conforming".

I don't know why they don't just translate it that way.

Submitted February 15, 2022 at 06:19AM by ewk https://ift.tt/y5mcTHE