Disclaimer: I am very much a novice at this. It is likely I've made mistakes in this translation. Insight and corrections are always welcome in the comments. That being said I compared my translation to Cleary's and Chatgpt to make sure I'm not completely off course.
The Chinese:
大顛和尚示眾云。夫學道人須識自家本心。將心相示。方可見道。多見時輩只認揚眉瞬目一語一默。驀頭印可以為心要。此實未了。吾今為汝諸人分明說出。各須聽受。但除却一切妄運想念現量即汝真心。此心與塵境及守認靜默時全無交涉。即心是佛。不待修治。何以故。應機隨照泠泠自用。窮其用處了不可得。喚作妙用乃是本心。大須護持。不可容易。
My translation:
Those who study the Way must grasp one's own Self1. When Self is grasped the Way is clear. People these days mistakenly recognize raising the eyebrows, winking an eye, other silent signs, and remaining silent as the essentials of the Self. This is not yet finished. Today I will clearly explain for all of you. Listen and receive it. Only get rid of absurd discriminations2 and you will be near the Self. This Self has nothing to do with the dusts of the world3 or with observing long periods of silence4 . The Self is Aware5 . It does not require study or control. Why is this? Responding to conditions as they arise, one's own clear light cannot be used up. This marvelous function is the Self. You should protect and maintain this, but it is not easy.
Foot Notes:
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Heart-mind. In the Zen context it is synonomus with Buddha-Nature or Self.
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The words I have put as "absurd discrimination" are literally "absurd movement thinking idea measurement". I think my version captures the general message.
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Dust of the world often references the "normal" or "mundane" world of ordinary people's everyday concerns.
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Literally "observe, recognize silent long period of time not have relationship involve".
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Something like "Heart-mind be Buddha". Buddha means awakened, enlightened one, aware of. I felt that leaving it untranslated would have been missing out on nuance here.
Submitted April 02, 2023 at 07:46AM by koancomentator https://ift.tt/bQjJR57
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