文／宋．龍門清遠（1067～1120）

刀刀林鳥啼，披衣終夜坐；

撥火悟平生，窮神歸破墮。

事皎人自迷，曲淡誰能和？

念之永不忘，門開少人過。

──選自《嘉泰普燈錄》

Poking the Fire, Awakening to Life

Longmen Qingyuan (1067 - 1120, Song Dynasty)

English translation: Ven. Miao Guang

The chirping of birds cutting through the forest,

Sitting through the night, wrapped in my coat;

While poking fire, I awaken to life,

Exhausting all energy, I refer to Master Pozaoduo.

Matters are clear, only people themselves confused,

Who is able to sing a chorus to a tune that is too soft?

Be mindful of this and never forget it,

The door is open, but only few do pass through it.

── from Jiatai Pudeng Lu

(Record of the Jiatai Era’s Transmission of the Lamp)