文／宋．性空妙普（1066～1142）

學道猶如守禁城，晝防六賊夜惺惺。

將軍主帥能行令，不動干戈定太平。

──選自《大明高僧傳》

Poem on Learning the Way

Xingkong Miaopu (1066 - 1142, Song Dynasty)

English translation： Venerable Zhi Yue

Learn the Way as if guarding city walls;

Prevent the six thieves* during the day

and remain alert when night falls.

The general is capable of issuing orders:

Weapons are not to be raised to ensure peace.



── from Daming Gaoseng Zhuan

（Biographies of Eminent Monks of the Ming Dynasty）

* “six thieves” refer to the field of form, field

of sound, field of odor, gustatory field, tactile field, and conceptual field.