Rough or Detail

Yutang Lin

Rough or detail in one's handling of matters
　　　　Certainly has to do with individual propensity
However, as views migrate with age and experiences
　　　　Degrees of refinement may be adjusted

Viewing the whole picture
　　　　Difficult not to overlook details
To ascertain reliability
　　　　Need to be careful at crucial joints

To save time and efforts
　　　　One proceeds with thick branches and large leaves
All the time choosing fine points and picking needles
　　　　Hard to step out wide and far

Sketching without missing the fine lines
　　　　It took original sensibility
Refined and yet capable of letting go details
　　　　Thanks to an open panorama

Buddha taught us to practice loose and tight like tuning a zither
In daily life of a practitioner
　　　　Where to overlook and where to be attentive
Are to be groped and figured out gradually
So as to save time and concentrate on Dharma practices and activities
Without being hindered and confined by appearances and formality

Written in Chinese on December 23, 2007
Translated on December 24, 2007
El Cerrito, California

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