Song of the Grass Roof Hermitage

My blogger friend Gay Judson at Sister Creek Pottery sent me this lovely email yesterday. Thanks Gay, reminds me of the book Four Huts that you sent me, which I got out to read again this morning. Happy day everyone....

Song of the grass-roof hermitage
by Sekito
I’ve built a grass hut where there’s nothing of value. After eating, I relax and enjoy a nap. When it was completed, fresh weed appeared. Now it’s been lived in – covered by weeds.
The person in the hut lives here calmly, Not stuck to inside, outside, or in between.
Places worldly people live, he doesn’t live. Realms worldly people love, he doesn’t love.
Though the hut is small, it includes the entire world. In ten square feet, an old man illumines forms and their nature.
A Great Vehicle bodhisattva trusts without doubt. The middling or lowly can’t help wondering ; Will this hut perish or not ? Perishable or not, the original master is present, Not dwelling south or north, east or west,
Firmly based on steadiness, it can’t be surpassed.
A shining window below the green pines, Jades palaces or vermilion towers can’t compare with it.
Just sitting with head covered all things are at rest. Thus, this mountain monk doesn’t understand at all. Living here he no longer works to get free. Who would proudly arrange seats, trying to entice guests ?
Turn around the light to shine within, then just return. The vast inconceivable source can’t be faced or turned away from. Meet the ancestral teachers, be familiar with their instruction.
Bind grasses to built a hut, and don’t give up. Let go of hundreds of years and relax completely. Open your hands and walk, innocent.