Tuesday, 21 February 2012

No Attachment to Dust



No Attachment to Dust

Zengetsu was a great Chinese Zen master of the T’ang dynasty. He wrote the following advice for his pupils. Standing the test of time it certainly would hold true today.

-Living in the world yet not forming attachments to the dust of the world is the way of a true Zen student. 


-Virtues are the fruit of self-discipline and do not drop from heaven of themselves as does rain or snow. 


-Modesty is the foundation of all virtues. Let your neighbours discover you before you make yourself known to them. 


- A noble heart never forces itself forward. Its words are as rare gems, seldom displayed and of great value.
-When witnessing the good action of another encourage yourself to follow his example. Hearing of the mistaken action of another, advise yourself not to emulate it. 


- A person may appear a fool and yet not be one. He may only be guarding his wisdom carefully.


-Censure yourself, never another. Do not discuss right and wrong.
-Some things, though right, were considered wrong for generations. Since the value of righteousness may be recognized after centuries, there is no need to crave an immediate appreciation. 


-Even though alone in a dark room, be as if you were facing a noble guest. Express your feelings, but become no more expressive than your true nature. 


- Poverty is your treasure. Never exchange it for an easy life.
-To a sincere student, every day is a fortunate day. Time passes but he never lags behind. Neither glory nor shame can move him. 


-Live with cause and leave results to the great law of the universe. Pass each day in peaceful contemplation. 


The End.

No comments:

Post a Comment