Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

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[2] Doesn't anyone see by Shih-te (Pickup) (780? - 850?) Timeline English version by Red Pine (Bill Porter) Original Language Chinese Buddhist : Zen / Chan Taoist 9th Century Doesn't anyone see the turmoil in the Three Worlds is due to endless delusion once thoughts stop the mind becomes clear nothing comes or goes neither birth nor death     -- from The Collected Songs of Cold Mountain, Translated by Red Pine Amazon.com	Themes   Birth, Rebirth   Death   Womb     Recommended Books The Collected Songs of Cold Mountain, Translated by Red Pine The Poetry of Zen: (Shambhala Library), Edited by Sam Hamill / Edited by J. P. Seaton
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Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

Contrary to the fundamental, though unspoken assumption of Western rationalism, it is not through increased thought or even increasingly refined thought that one perceives more clearly.

All thought, no matter how erudite, elegant, or elevated, is ultimately a projection upon reality, preventing you from perceiving things as they are. Thoughts become barriers with varying degrees of opacity, allowing us to see reality only through their filtering.

In this simple poem, Shih-te points out that it is only through mental silence that one can transcend delusion and see clearly.

When this is done, when the agitationsof the mind stop, there is no more coming and going. Life and death, beginnings and endings have no pull; there is only the full, radiant Present.

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2009 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.