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Dreams of illusions, flowers of fantasy
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sixty-seven years,
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a white bird disappears in the fog
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the waters of autumn merge with the sky.
- Hongzhi s death poem
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All things originate from the mind. When the whole mind is silent, all appearances end. Which is other, which is self? Because at this time there is no sign of differentiation, not even a single atom can be established. When not a single thought is born, you penetrate through before the womb and after the skin bag; one point of inconceivable illumination, whole and undifferentiated, without corners, edge or traces, this cannot be dimmed; what cannot be dimmed is called inherent knowledge. But the point of inherent knowledge is called the fundamental endowment–after all there is nothing whatever gotten beyond one’s lot. Empty, open, subtly aware without any images, really hearing without echoes. Thus it is said, „It is not within reach of eye and ear.” This is the ultimate point of reaching mystic accord. Light emanates from there and the universe is reflected everywhere in this everything is it.
When you realize all things are empty, then you are free in all states of mind and penetrate beyond through every atom of dust. The primordial beam of light pervades everywhere, and then transforms if according to the energies and situations, everything it meets is the source-subtly illumining all things, empty and without partner, the wind in the pines, the moon in the water-clear harmony, with no wandering mind, no sticking to appearances. The essence lies in being empty inside and having free space, responding outwardly with out getting mixed up, like spring bearing flowers, like a mirror reflecting images; in the midst of floods of tumult you will naturally stand serene above it all.
Where your state is thoroughly peaceful and your livelihood is cool and serene, then you will see the emptiness of the ages; there is nothing to be troubled with, nothing that can obstruct. Empty, absolute and radiant, clear, complete and shining–it clearly exists for all ages, never dimmed. If you know the thing here with a nod of the head, you do not follow birth and death or abide in annihilation or eternity.“
Source: From a collection of Zen Master Hongzhi – Translated by Thomas Cleary