Zen Thoughts and Zen Poetry (Compiled by the Chinese Zen Painting Institute) 154. [Appreciation of Zen Poetry]

Fire clouds desire to sweep the sky, the jade moon gradually takes form. The impoverished son has yet to return, his head now completely white. (“Records of the Four Families of Huanglong: Heart of Huaitang”)

Late autumn is also a season that evokes nostalgia; the dissimilar yet isomorphic natural scenery and the poet’s life landscape provoke the Zen practitioner’s clear and tranquil reflection. The poetry laments like the jade autumn moon, once again at its full phase, the wandering soul who has lost his family treasures cannot be as pure and complete as the bright moon, still struggling along the path, allowing the years’ wind and frost to turn his hair white. Spring thoughts and autumn sadness, the New Year’s Eve can further stir the longing for home: “On the night when the year is about to end, the person who has not returned is thousands of miles away. Tonight, all are children of other lands, why do they not return?” (“Ancient Zen Masters” Volume 42 “Kewen”)? Within the cold and stern questioning lies a deep expectation.

The moon illuminates Zen; feel free to add and share the joy brought by the art of progress, stepping into the unknown secret realm of your heart.