Dharma Cell of Formality

Yutang Lin

Teachings bounded by formality could imprison the innocent.
Sacred and secular, pure and polluted, all play antagonism.
Retreat and worldly life seem heaven and abyss apart;
All in oneness when mind to clarity and openness returns.

Comment:

Bounded by formality, teachings would become antagonistic. Sacred and secular, pure and polluted, they all become opposing extremes. Retreat and worldly life seem incompatible. Following such teachings in practice, to retreat is no different from being trapped in a Dharma cell. In fact, all Dharma teachings should be understood as mere pedagogical devices. They are employed to help people regain original clarity and openness of mind. Once the mind returns to clarity and openness, there is no more antagonism. All things are originally in oneness.

Written in Chinese and translated on August 24, 2000
El Cerrito, California

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