Zen Buddhism and Martial Arts
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Author of this poem:
Zen Master Hsu Yun
THE TEMPLE'S GUEST ROOM
A guest is entertained in Cunxiang Room.
The meal is meager and we serve water instead of tea.
He doesn't grumble, but he doesn't talk a lot.
He doesn't have much to tell that we don't already know.
There's a constancy about the world's changing news.
But up here, mountain trees support so many rattan vines.
And water wells never fail to slake our thirst.
Time passes so quickly in this secluded place
We barely have enough time to gain enlightenment.
What did he think, this guest who casts aside the Buddha's words?
Did he think that what we had to offer him
Came from the monastery's pantry?
