Turning around

Yutang Lin

Turning an object around to see its facets
When it cannot be turned around
From above and below, and all sides around
One turns around it to obtain a view of all its facets

Looking back from now
One learns the biases of previous views
Planning ahead
One should realize that changes are hard to predict

Layer over layer of views, with biases here and there
Like thick fog blocking sight, real situation unseen
Clear thoughts and stop thinking, pull oneself out of the arena
In prevalence of blank clarity, only then can one see through illusion

Among worldly affairs and human relationships
　　　　Full of antagonism and calculations
Turning thoughts around toward Buddhahood
　　　　How could it be like these
Aspiring toward attainment of full enlightenment
　　　　Regard all others as sentient beings
Serve all with compassion, mercy, joy and renunciation
　　　　Never rest till their salvation attained
Thus, worldly affairs dissipated like melting ice
　　　　And all endeavors center around Dharma activities

In life one should know to turn around
As one turns around one is truly alive

Written in Chinese and translated on April 21, 2008
El Cerrito, California

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