Zen-7 Verses from 2007

Our 2008 Zen-7 Retreat will be starting tomorrow. We'll update the blog with the new Zen-7 Dharma Initiation and Closing Verses as they become available.

Meanwhile, here are the verses from 2007 Zen-7 at the Zen Center:
這是2007年太谷禪七法語：


CHUNG TAI ZEN CENTER OF SUNNYVALE
2007 WINTER ZEN-SEVEN RETREAT

Initiation Verses
December 25, 2007

  Zen disciples gather at Sunnyvale
   In a seven day intensive retreat to seek the bodhi mind.
 Zen disciples gather at Sunnyvale
   In a seven day intensive retreat to seek the bodhi mind.
 How can the bodhi mind be sought?
   Throughout time it’s never apart from the now.
 Like the vast Great Void the mind is boundless;
   In the depths of the Valley our original nature hides.
 Sights, sounds, smells, and tastes are all irrelevant;
   Yet in seeing, hearing, feeling and sensing you find a clue.

Good cultivators, for this Zen-Seven Initiation, how does the last verse go?

   Having studied ten thousand scriptures you are still nowhere near;
 Without a single thought, right here you are with the Buddha.

Begin—

 禪子迢迢聚太谷    精進禪七覓菩提
菩提那得容汝覓    亙古至今未曾離
太虛周遍心周遍    谷深無底性無底
色聲香味沒交涉    見聞覺知透消息

諸位知識，即今起七一事，最後一句又怎麼說法？

讀破萬卷未觸邊    一念不生到佛地

起—

---

Completion Verses
January 1, 2008

  The Zen-Seven Retreat at Sunnyvale is now complete,
    Having found the bodhi mind everyone is truly joyful.
How can the bodhi mind be found?
    All is already here, always; no confusion evermore.
The boundless Great Void is but a dust in the mind;
    All the scenery in the Valley leaves no trace.
Seeing, hearing, feeling, and sensing are all irrelevant;
    Yet in sights, sounds, smells, and tastes you find a clue.

Good cultivators, for the completion of this Zen-Seven Retreat, how does the last verse go?

   Mind, matter, existence, and emptiness—what’s the fuss?
 Green bamboos and yellow flowers reveal the Zen way.

Done—

 太谷禪七今圓滿    覓得菩提真歡喜
菩提那得容汝覓    本自現成永不迷
太虛原乃心中塵    谷裏風光無痕跡
見聞覺知沒交涉    色聲香味透消息

諸位知識，即今解七一事，最後一句又怎麼說法？

色心空有渾無礙    翠竹黃花皆禪機

解—