Letting Your Own Light Shine

The ultimate teaching of Dogen and of Aśvaghoṣa
and of Gautama Buddha, says me,

Is just to sit in lotus

And learn the backward step

Of letting one's own light shine.

(photo from photodharma.net)






arhattvam-āsādya sa sat-kriyārho
nirutsuko niṣpraṇayo nirāśaḥ /
vibhīr-viśug-vītamado virāgaḥ
sa eva dhṛtyānya ivābabhāse // 17.61 //



Having attained to the seat of arhathood,
he was worthy of being served.

Without ambition, without partiality,
without expectation;

Without fear, sorrow, pride, or passion;

Being nothing but himself,
he seemed in his constancy to be different.