Zen Buddhism and Martial Arts
Home » Literature Archives » Answering Layman Long Cheng Che
Author of this poem:
Zen Master Hsu Yun
ANSWERING LAYMAN LONG CHENG CHE
WHO IN ACCORDANCE WITH INSTRUCTIONS FROM VENERABLE YIN GUANG
TO REPAIR THE BARN OF LAO MOUNTAIN ASKED ME TO GO AND LIVE THERE
For a long time I've foolishly wanted
To be "an old man of the mountain."
Heaven finally heard my wish
And was moved to let it come true.
But "finally" is too late.
I'm in the closing act of my years.
For this performance, I've got to defer to a younger actor.
My dear companion! We've rummaged through riverbanks
And combed the beaches of seas.
Yet from one page of Master Yin's letter
You've managed to create an ever-bubbling spring.
A tiny stream of precious hope that will flow on forever.
