Master Hakuin's

YASENKANNA

Here are 2 translations by Norman Waddell and Trevor Leggett o one or t!o versions o a te"t #robably #ublis$ed during Hakuin's li e% An ot$er version o t$e same te"t !as #ublis$ed #ost$umously and translated by t$e same #ersons% &t in'ludes a #re a'e by (Hunger and Cold, the Master of Poverty Hermitage. & you are interested in t$e T$era#euti' met$ods des'ribed by Hakuin) you s$ould also study $is Orategama.

Master Hakuin's Yasen Kanna 2 translations compiled by Frederic Lecut in 2011

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Master HAK*&N's YASEN KANNA

Norman Waddell's translation (in Wild Ivy) Idle Tal on a Night !oat Trevor Legett's translation (in Second Zen reader) "#S$N%#NN# !y &a 'in I Ching ref.

Long ago) Wu +$'i,'$'u told master S$i$,t'ai- &n order to re ine t$e eli"ir) it is ne'essary to gat$er t$e vital energy% To gat$er t$e vital energy) it is ne'essary to o'us t$e mind% W$en t$e mind o'uses in t$e o'ean o vital energy or ield o eli"ir lo'ated one in'$ belo! t$e navel) t$e vital energy gat$ers t$ere% W$en t$e vital energy gat$ers in t$e eli"ir ield) t$e eli"ir is #rodu'ed% W$en t$e eli"ir is #rodu'ed) t$e #$ysi'al rame is strong and irm% W$en t$e #$ysi'al rame is strong and irm) t$e s#irit is ull and re#lete% W$en t$e s#irit is ull and re#lete) long li e is assured% T$ese are !ords o true !isdom% T$e layman 'ame again t$e ne"t morning and re#eated t$e re.uest $e $ad made t$e #revious day% /0ery !ell/ & said) /& !ill e"#lain to you t$e essentials o &ntros#e'tive Meditation%/ 1n t$e day & irst 'ommitted mysel to a li e o WHEN as a beginner & entered on t$e Way) & 2en #ra'ti'e) & #ledged to summon all t$e ait$ vo!ed to #ra'ti'e !it$ $eroi' ait$ and and 'ourage at my 'ommand and dedi'ate indomitable s#irit% mysel !it$ stead ast resolve to t$e #ursuit o t$e 3udd$a Way) & embarked on a regimen o rigorous austerities) !$i'$ & 'ontinued or several years) #us$ing mysel relentlessly% T$en one nig$t) everyt$ing suddenly ell a!ay) and & 'rossed t$e t$res$old into enlig$tenment% All t$e doubts and un'ertainties t$at $ad burdened me all t$ose years suddenly vanis$ed) roots and all , 4ust melted like i'e% A ter a mere t$ree years o strenuous e ort) suddenly one nig$t t$e moment 'ame) !$en all my old doubts melted a!ay do!n to t$eir very roots%

5ee# , rooted karma t$at $ad bound me or T$e age,old Karma,root o endless kal#as to t$e 'y'le o birt$,and,deat$ !as erased utterly% vanis$ed like oam on t$e !ater%

birt$,and,deat$

&t's true & t$oug$t to mysel - t$e Way is not ar & t$oug$t to mysel - 'T$e !ay is never

Master Hakuin's Yasen Kanna 2 translations compiled by Frederic Lecut in 2011

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rom man% T$ose stories abut t$e an'ient masters taking t!enty or even t$irty years to attain it , someone must $ave made t$em all u#% 6or t$e ne"t several mont$s) & !as !alt7ing on air) lagging my arms and stam#ing my eet in a kind o !itless ra#ture%

distant% Strange t$at t$e an'ients s#oke o t!enty or t$irty years)/ !$ereas &%%%/ A ter some mont$s lost in dan'ing 4oy) & looked at my li e%

A ter!ards) $o!ever) as & began re le'ting u#on T$e s#$eres o a'tivity and stillness !ere not y everyday be$avior) & 'ould see t$at t$e t!o at all in $armony8 & ound & !as not ree to as#e'ts o my li e , t$e a'tive and t$e eit$er take u# a t$ing or% leave it% meditative , !ere totally out o balan'e% No matter !$at & !as doing) & never elt ree or 'om#letely at ease% & reali7ed & !ould $ave to rekindle a earless resolve and on'e again t$ro! mysel li e and limb toget$er into t$e 5$arma struggle% Wit$ my teet$ 'len'$ed tig$tly and eyes o'used straig$t a$ead) & began devoting mysel single, mindedly to my #ra'ti'e) orsaking ood and slee# altoget$er% & t$oug$t- 'Let me boldly #lunge again into s#iritual #ra'ti'e and on'e more t$ro! a!ay my li e in it%' Teet$ 'len'$ed and eyes a glare) & soug$t to ree mysel rom ood and slee#%

3e ore t$e mont$ !as out) my $eart ire began 3e ore a mont$ $ad #assed t$e $eart, ire to raise against t$e natural 'ourse) #ar'$ing my mounted to my $ead) my lungs !ere burning lungs o t$eir essential luids% My eet and legs but my legs elt as i ree7ing in i'e and sno!% !ere al!ays i'e,'old- t$ey elt as t$oug$ t$ey !ere immersed in tubs o sno!% T$ere !as a 'onstant bu77ing in my ears) as i & &n my ears !as a rus$ing sound as o !as !alking beside a raging mountain torrent% stream in a valley% a

& be'ame abnormally !eak and timid) s$rinking My 'ourage ailed and & !as in an attitude o and ear ul in !$atever & did% 'onstant ear% & elt totally drained) #$ysi'ally and mentally & elt s#iritually e"$austed) nig$t and day e"$austed% Strange vision a##eared to me seeing dreams)my arm#its al!ays !et !it$ during !aking and slee#ing $ours alike% s!eat and my eyes ull o tears% My arm#its !ere al!ays !et !it$ #ers#iration% My eyes !ere !atered 'onstantly% & traveled ar and !ide) visiting !ise 2en & 'ast about in every dire'tion) 'onsulting tea'$ers) seeking out noted #$ysi'ians% 3ut amous tea'$ers and do'tors) but all t$eir none o t$e remedies t$ey o ered broug$t any devi'es availed not$ing at all% relie %

(#ST$) &#%*"+ T$en & $a##ened to meet someone !$o told me about a $ermit named Master Hakuy9) !$o lived inside a 'ave $ig$ in t$e mountains o t$e S$iraka!a distri't o Kyoto% Someone told me- '&n t$e mountains o t$e #la'e 'alled W$ite,:iver) beyond t$e 'a#ital) t$ere is one !$o d!ells in t$e $eig$ts) kno!n to t$e #eo#le as Master Hakuyu%
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Master Hakuin's Yasen Kanna 2 translations compiled by Frederic Lecut in 2011

He !as re#uted to be t$ree $undred and He is believed to be over t!o $undred years seventy years old% old) His 'ave d!elling !as t!o or t$ree leagues rom any $uman $abitation% He didn't like seeing #eo#le) and !$enever someone a##roa'$ed) $e !ould run o and $ide% and $e lives t$ere several miles rom $uman $abitation% He does not like to see #eo#le) and i t$ey go $e !ill run a!ay and 'on'eal $imsel %

6rom t$e look o $im) it !as $ard to tell Men do not kno! !$et$er to t$ink $im a !$et$er $e !as a man o great !isdom or sage or a madman) but t$e villagers believe merely a ool) but t$e #eo#le in t$e surrounding $im to be a Sennin) one o t$e mountain villages venerated $im as a sage% immortals% :umor $ad it $e $ad been t$e tea'$er o T$ey say $e !as on'e t$e tea'$er o &s$ika!a &s$ika!a ;<7an and t$at $e !as !ell versed in ;o7an) dee#ly versed in t$e s'ien'e o t$e astrology and dee#ly learned in t$e medi'al arts stars and t$e lore o medi'ine% as !ell% =eo#le !$o $ad a##roa'$ed $im and re.uested $is tea'$ing in t$e #ro#er manner) observing t$e #ro#rieties) $ad on rare o''asions been kno!n to eli'it a remark or t!o o enigmati' im#ort rom $im% A ter leaving and giving t$e !ords dee#er t$oug$t) t$e #eo#le !ould generally dis'over t$em to be very bene i'ial% &n t$e middle o t$e irst mont$ o t$e sevent$ year o t$e H<ei era >?@?AB) & s$ouldered my travel #a'k) sli##ed .uietly out o t$e tem#le in eastern Mino !$ere & !as staying) and $eaded or Kyoto% 1n rea'$ing t$e 'a#ital) & bent my ste#s nort$!ard) 'rossing over t$e $ills o t$e 3la'k 0alley >KurodaniB and making my !ay to t$e smaller $amlet at W$ite :iver >S$iraka!aB% & dro##ed my #a'k o at a tea$ouse and !ent to make in.uiries about Master Hakuy9's 'ave% 1ne o t$e villagers #ointed $is ingers to!ard a t$in t$read o rus$ing !ater $ig$ above on t$e $ills% 1''asionally to a seeker !$o !ent in true reveren'e $e $as vou'$sa ed a !ord) !$i'$ !$en #ondered a ter!ards !as o great bene it)

So in t$e middle o ;anuary ?@?A) & .uietly #ut toget$er some traveling tilings) le t Mino and 'rossed 3la'k,0alley) inally 'oming to t$e village o W$ite,:iver%

=utting do!n my bundle in a teas$o#) & asked t$e !$ereabouts o t$e $ermitage o Hakuyu% A villager dire'ted me to a mountain stream in t$e ar distan'e%

*sing t$e sound o t$e !ater as my guide) & & ollo!ed t$e rus$ing !ater) !$i'$ took me stru'k u# into t$e mountains) $iking on until & to a remote mountain valley% 'ame to t$e stream% & made my !ay along t$e bank or anot$er 6ollo!ing straig$t u# or a 'ou#le o miles) & league or so until t$e stream and t$e trail bot$ ound t$at it suddenly disa##eared% #etered out% T$ere !as not so mu'$ as a !ood'utter's trail T$ere !as no #at$ and & !as at a loss8 to indi'ate t$e !ay% At t$is #oint) & lost my unable to go on) & stood in dismay%
Master Hakuin's Yasen Kanna 2 translations compiled by Frederic Lecut in 2011 Page !

bearings 'om#letely and !as unable to #ro'eed anot$er ste#% Not kno!ing !$at else to do) & sat in a nearby Hel#lessly & sat do!n on a stone to one side) ro'k) 'losed y eyes) #la'ed my #alms be ore me and !it$ 'losed eyes and 4oined #alms in Cass$o) and began '$anting a sutra% re#eated a Sutra% =resently ) as i by magi') & $eard in t$e distan'e t$e aint sounds o someone '$o##ing at a tree% A ter #us$ing my !ay dee#er t$roug$ t$e orest trees in t$e dire'tion o t$e sound) & s#otted a !ood'utter% He dire'ted my ga7e ar above to a distant site among t$e s!irling 'louds and mist at t$e 'rest o t$e mountains% & 'ould 4ust make out a small yello!is$ #at'$) not more t$an an in'$ s.uare) a##earing and disa##earing in t$e eddying mountain va#ors% He told me it !as a brus$!ork blind t$at $ung over t$e entran'e to Master Hakuy9's 'ave% Hit'$ing t$e bottom o my robe u# into my sas$) & began t$e inal as'ent to Hakuy9's d!elling% +lambering over 4agged ro'ks) #us$ing t$roug$ $eavy vines and 'linging underbrus$) t$e sno! and rost gna!ed into my stra! sandals) t$e dam# 'louds t$rust against my robe% &t !as very $ard going) and by t$e time & rea'$ed t$e s#ot !$ere & $ad seen t$e blind) & !as 'overed !it$ a t$i'k) oily s!eat% As i by a mira'le t$ere 'ame to my ears a distant sound o blo!s o an a"e8 #ursuing t$e sound dee#ly into t$e trees) & 'ame u#on a !ood'utter%

T$e old man #ointed to!ards t$e ar,o mountain mists) and & made out a tiny #at'$ o yello!is$ !$ite) no! 'on'ealed and no! revealed by t$e movement o t$e $a7eD't$at is t$e reed 'urtain !$i'$ $angs be ore t$e mout$ o t$e 'ave o Master Hakuyu'% At on'e & tu'ked in my 'lot$es and began to 'limb) no! over stee# ro'ks) no! #us$ing t$roug$ mountain grasses8 my sandals soaked !it$ sno! arid i'e !ere ree7ing) and my 'lot$es !et t$roug$ !it$ mist and de!% As & toiled on t$e s!eat #oured do!n) but gradually & 'ame u# to t$e #la'e o t$e reed 'urtain%

& no! stood at t$e entran'e o t$e 'ave% &t 'ommanded a #ros#e't o unsur#assed beauty) 'om#letely above t$e vulgar dust o t$e !orld% My $eart trembling !it$ ear) my skin #ri'kling !it$ goose les$) & leaned against some ro'ks or a !$ile and 'ounted out several $undred breat$s%

T$e e".uisite #urity o t$e lands'a#e made me eel & $ad le t t$e !orld o men) A dread s$ook my $eart and soul) and & !as s$ivering as i stri##ed naked% & seated mysel on a ro'k or a !$ile and 'ounted my breat$ u# to some $undreds%

A ter s$aking o t$e dirt and dust and T$en & straig$tened and tidied my dress and straig$tening my robe to make mysel !ent or!ard !it$ reverent a!e% #resentable) & bo!ed do!n) $esitantly #us$ed t$e blind aside) and #eered into t$e 'ave & 'ould make out t$e igure o Master Hakuy9 in t$e darkness% He !as sitting #er e'tly ere't) $is eyes s$ut% A !onder ul $ead o bla'k $air le'ked !it$ bits o !$ite rea'$ed do!n over $is knees% $e $ad a ine) yout$ ul 'om#le"ion) =eering t$roug$ t$e reed 'urtain) & dimly made out t$e orm o Master Hakuyu) seated in meditation #osture !it$ $is eyes 'losed% His $air streaked !it$ !$ite ell to $is knees) $is beauti ul 'om#le"ion !as ull and 'lear% A

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ruddy in $ue like a +$inese date% He !as seated on a so t mat made o grasses and !ore a large 4a'ket o 'oarsely !oven 'lot$% T$e interior o t$e 'ave !as small) not more t$an ive eet s.uare) and e"'e#t or a small desk) t$ere !as no sign o $ouse$old arti'les or ot$er urnis$ings o any kind% 1n t$e to# o t$e desk) & 'ould see t$ree s'rolls o !riting , The Doctrine of the mean, Lao Tzu) and t$e Diamond Sutra.

.uilted 'lot$ !as t$ro!n round $im and $is seat !as a bed o so t grass% T$e 'ave !as small) barely si" oot s.uare% T$ere !ere no #rovisions o any kind) but on a lo! table t$ree books- t$e 5o'trine o t$e Mean) t$e 'lassi' o Lao T7u) and t$e 5iamond Sutra%

& introdu'ed mysel as #olitely as & 'ould) A ter making many salutations) & .uietly e"#lained t$e sym#toms and 'auses o my related t$e 'ourse o my illness and asked or illness in some detail% and a##ealed to t$e $el#% master or $is $el#%

C*)$ A ter a !$ile) Hakuy9 o#ened $is eyes and gave me a good $ard look% T$en) s#eaking slo!ly and deliberately) $e e"#lained t$at $e !as only a useless) !orn,out old man , /More dead t$an alive%/ He d!elled among t$ese mountains living on su'$ nuts and !ild mountain ruits as $e 'ould gat$er% He #assed t$e nig$ts toget$er !it$ t$e mountain deer and ot$er !ild 'reatures% &n a little $e o#ened $is eyes and looked at me keenly% He said slo!ly- '& am 4ust an ordinary man living out t$e rest o li e in t$e mountains% & gat$er '$estnuts or ood and slee# in 'om#any !it$ t$e tame deer%

He #ro essed to be 'om#letely ignorant o W$at do & kno! about anyt$ing elseE & am anyt$ing else and said $e !as a'utely only sorry t$at t$e 4ourney in e"#e'tation o a embarrassed t$at su'$ an im#ortant 3udd$ist $oly man s$ould $ave been in vain% % % %' #riest $ad made a long tri# e"#ressly to see $im% 3ut & #ersisted) begging re#eatedly or $is $el#% At last) $e rea'$ed out !it$ an easy) almost o $and gesture and gras#ed my $and% He #ro'eeded to e"amine my ive bodily organs) taking my #ulse at nin vital #oints% His ingernails & noti'ed) !$ere almost an in'$ long% & again and again re#eated my reveren'es and my re.uest% T$en $e .uietly took my $and) made a 'are ul e"amination o my 'ondition and ins#e'ted t$e bodily o#enings%

6urro!ing $is bro!) $e said !it$ a voi'e tinged His long,nailed ingers smoot$ed $is ore$ead !it$ #ity) /Not mu'$ 'an be done% You $ave in a gesture o sym#at$y- 'Your 'ondition is develo#ed a serious illness% #itiable% 3y #us$ing yoursel too $ard) you orgot t$e 'ardinal rule o religious training% You are su ering rom meditation si'kness) !$i'$ is e"tremely di i'ult to 'ure by medi'al means% 3y 'ontem#lating on trut$ too strenuously) you $ave lost t$e r$yt$m o s#iritual advan'e) and t$at $as inally broug$t on a grievous malady% And it is somet$ing very $ard to 'ure) t$is 2en illness o yours%
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Master Hakuin's Yasen Kanna 2 translations compiled by Frederic Lecut in 2011

& you attem#t to t$reat it by using a'u#un'ture) mo"a'autery or medi'ines) you !ill ind t$ey $ave no e e't , not even i t$ey !ere administered by a ='ien +$'iao) Ts'ang Kung) or Hua T'o% You 'ame to t$is grievous #ass as a result o meditation% You !ill never regain your $ealt$ unless you are able to master t$e te'$ni.ues o &ntros#e'tive Meditation%

T$oug$ t$e sages o medi'ine ro!n over your 'ase and #ut ort$ all t$eir skill !it$ needle and 'autery and drugs) yet !ould t$ey be $el#less% You $ave been broken by your 'ontem#lation on trut$ ()i, an)) and unless you devote yoursel to inner 'ontem#lation (Nai, an) you 'an never re'over%

;ust as t$e old saying goes ) /W$en a #erson T$ere is a saying t$at you rise by means o alls to eart$) it is rom t$e eart$ t$at $e must t$at same ground on !$i'$ you ell) and t$e raise $imsel u#/% Naikan met$od is an e"am#le o t$at #rin'i#le%' /=lease)/ & said) /tea'$ me t$e se'ret te'$ni.ue & said- '3e gra'ious enoug$ to tell me t$e o &ntros#e'tive Meditation) & !ant to begin se'ret o t$e Naikan) and & !ill #ra'ti'e it in #ra'ti'ing it) and learn $o! it's done%/ t$e tem#le%/ Wit$ a demeanor t$at !as no! solemn and ma4esti') Master Hakuy9 so tly and .uietly re#lied) /A$) you are determined to ind an ans!er to your #roblem) aren't you) young manE All rig$t) & su##ose & 'an tell you a e! t$ings about &ntros#e'tive Meditation t$at & learned many years ago% &t is a se'ret met$od or sustaining li e kno!n to very e! #eo#le% =ra'ti'ed diligently) it is sure to yield remarkable results% &t !ill enable you to look or!ard to a long li e as !ell% /T$e Creat Way is divided into t$e t!o instruments o yin and yang% +ombining) t$ey #rodu'e $uman beings and all ot$er t$ings% A #rimal inborn energy 'ir'ulates silently t$roug$ t$e body) moving along '$annels or 'onduits rom one to anot$er o t$e ive great organs% 5e ensive energy and nutritive blood) !$i'$ 'ir'ulate toget$er) as'end and des'end t$roug$out t$e body) making i ty 'om#lete 'ir'ulations in ea'$ t!enty, our,$our #eriod% His a'e be'ame solemn) $is a##earan'e '$anged and $e began to s#eak slo!ly- 'So% You are a real seeker% S$all & #ass on to you a little o !$at & $eard long agoE &t is t$e se'ret o re#lenis$ing li e) and t$ose !$o kno! it are e!% & you #ra'ti'e it !it$out alling a!ay) you !ill surely see a marvelous e e't in yoursel ) and it may !ell be t$at you !ill never 'lose your eyes in deat$%

/T$e great Way FTaoG dividing itsel ) t$ere are t$e t!o #rin'i#les Yin and Yang) by !$ose mingling in $armony are born men and t$ings% &n man t$e #rimal Ki,energy moves silently in t$e 'entre) and t$e ive organs range t$emselves and t$e #ulse moves% T$e su##orting Ki,energy and t$e nouris$ing blood move in a 'ir'ulation) rising and alling) about i ty 'y'les in t$e 'ourse o one day and nig$t%

/T$e lungs) mani esting t$e metal #rin'i#le) are T$e lungs) under t$e metal sign) are eminine a emale organ lo'ated above t$e dia#$ragm% and loat above t$e dia#$ragm8 T$e liver) mani esting t$e' !ood #rin'i#le) is a t$e liver) under t$e !ood sign) is mas'uline male organ lo'ated beneat$ t$e dia#$ragm% and is sunk belo! t$e dia#$ragm% T$e $eart) mani esting t$e ire #rin'i#le) is t$e T$e $eartD ire is t$e sun) t$e great Yang)

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ma4or yang organ8 it is lo'ated in t$e u##er !it$ its #la'e above) body% T$e kidneys) mani esting t$e !ater #rin'i#le) and t$e kidneysD!ater are t$e great Yin) are t$e ma4or yin organ8 t$ey are lo'ated in t$e o''u#ying t$e lo!er #la'e% &n t$e ive organs lo!er body% +ontained !it$in t$e ive internal are seven divinities) t$e s#leen and t$e organs are seven marvelous #o!ers) !it$ t$e kidneys $aving ea'$ t!o% s#leen and kidneys $aving t!o ea'$% /T$e e"$aled breat$ issues rom t$e $eart and T$e outbreat$ goes rom t$e $eart and lungs) t$e lungs8 t$e in$aled breat$ enters t$roug$ t$e inbreat$ 'omes to t$e kidneys and liver% t$e kidneys and liver% Wit$ ea'$ e"$alation o breat$) t$e de ensive energy and nutritive blood move, or!ard t$ree in'$es in t$eir 'onduits8 t$ey also advan'e t$ree in'$es !it$ ea'$ in$alation o breat$% Every t!enty, our $ours) t$e de ensive energy and nutritive blood make i ty 'om#lete 'ir'ulations o t$e body% Wit$ ea'$ outbreat$ t$e #ulse 'urrent advan'es t$ree in'$es) and at ea'$ inbreat$ anot$er t$ree% &n a day and nig$t t$ere are ?H)IAA breat$s and t$e #ulse makes t$e 'ir'uit o t$e body i ty times%

/6ire is by nature lig$t and unsteady and al!ays 6ire is lig$t and buoyant) ever in'lined to !ants to mount u#!ard) !$ereas !ater is by as'end8 !ater is $eavy and al!ays tends nature $eavy and settled and al!ays !ants to do!n!ards% sink do!n!ard% & a #erson ignorant o t$is #rin'i#le strives too '& you do not kno! t$ese t$ings) your e orts $ard in $is meditative #ra'ti'es) t$e ire in $is at 'ontem#lation lose t$e r$yt$m and t$e !ill $eart !ill rus$ violently u#!ard) s'or'$ing $is be'omes over,e"tended8 t$en t$e $eart, ire lungs and im#airing t$eir un'tion% bla7ing u# strikes t$e metal o t$e lungs !$i'$ is s'or'$ed and im#aired% /Sin'e a mot$er,and,'$ild relations$i# obtains As t$e metal mot$er FlungsG su ers) t$e bet!een t$e lungs) re#resenting t$e metal !ater '$ild FkidneysG de'ays and dies% =arent #rin'i#le) and t$e kidneys) re#resenting t$g and '$ild are in4ured) all ive organs are !ater #rin'i#le) !$en t$e lungs are a li'ted and a li'ted and t$e si" au"iliaries/ o##ressed% distressed) t$e kidneys are also !eakened and debilitated% 5ebilitation o t$e lungs and kidneys sa#s and en eebles t$e ot$er organs and disru#ts t$e #ro#er balan'e !it$in t$e si" vis'era% T$is results in an imbalan'e in t$e un'tion o t$e body's our 'onstituent,elements Feart$) !ater) ire) !indG) some o !$i'$ gro! too strong and some too !eak% T$is leads) in turn) to a great variety o ailments and disorders in ea'$ o t$e our elements% Medi'ines $ave no e e't in treating t$em% =$ysi'ians 'an only look on !it$ olded arms%/ T$e elements losing t$eir $armony #rodu'e a $undred and one diseases% Against t$is 'ondition all remedies lose t$eir #o!er) and t$oug$ every art o medi'ine be enlisted) in t$e end t$ey 'an 'laim no su''ess%

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S*ST#ININ- LI.$ >Master Hakuy9 'ontinuedB /Sustaining li e is mu'$ like #rote'ting a 'ountry% W$ereas a !ise lord )and sage ruler al!ays t$inks o t$e 'ommon #eo#le under $im) a oolis$ lord and medio're ruler 'on'erns $imsel e"'lusively !it$ t$e #astimes o t$e u##er 'lasses% W$en a ruler be'omes engrossed in $is o!n sel interests) $is nine ministers vaunt t$eir #o!er and aut$ority) t$e o i'ials under t$em seek s#e'ial avors) and none o t$em gives a t$oug$t to t$e #overty and su ering o t$e #eo#le belo! t$em% T$e 'ountryside is illed !it$ #ale) gaunt a'es8 amine stalks t$e land) leaving t$e streets o t$e to!ns and 'ities littered !it$ 'or#ses% T$e !ise and t$e good retreat into $iding) t$e 'ommon #eo#le burn !it$ resentment and anger) t$e #rovin'ial lords gro! rebellious) and t$e enemies on t$e borders rise to t$e atta'k T$e #eo#le are #lunged into an agony o grie and su ering until) inally) t$e nation itsel 'eases to e"ist% /1n t$e ot$er $and) !$en t$e ruler turns $is attention belo!) o'using on t$e 'ommon #eo#le) $is ministers and o i'ials #er orm t$eir duties sim#ly and rugally) t$e $ards$i#s and su ering o t$e 'ommon #eo#le al!ays in t$eir t$oug$tsAs a result) t$e armers #rodu'e an abundan'e o ood) t$eir !ives an abundan'e o 'lot$% T$e good and t$e !ise gat$er to t$e ruler to render $im servi'e) t$e #rovin'ial lords are res#e't ul and submissive) t$e 'ommon #eo#le #ros#er) and t$e 'ountry gro!s strong% Ea'$ #erson is obedient to $is su#erior) no enemies t$reaten t$e borders) and t$e sounds o battle are no longer $eard in t$e land% T$e names o t$e !ea#ons o !ar t$emselves 'ome to be orgotten% /&t is t$e same !it$ t$e $uman body% T$e #erson !$o $as arrived at attainment al!ays kee#s t$e $eart's vital energy belo!) illing t$e lo!er body% W$en t$e lo!er body is illed !it$ t$e $eart's vital energy) t$ere is no!$ere !it$in or t$e seven mis ortunes to o#erate and no!$ere !it$out or t$e our evils to gain an entran'e% T$e de ensive energy and nutritive blood are re#lete) t$e $eart and mind vigorous ':e#lenis$ing t$e li e is in a't like looking a ter a kingdom% T$e brig$t lord) t$e sage ruler) al!ays 'on'entrates $is $eart on t$ose belo!8 t$e dull lord) t$e ordinary ruler) is al!ays letting $is $eart go u#!ard as it !ills% And !$en it lies u# at its o!n !ill) t$e great nobles be'ome overbearing and t$e minor o i'ials rely on s#e'ial avors) and no one o t$em ever looks do!n at t$e misery o t$e masses% &n t$e 'ountry t$e #easants are ema'iated) t$e land starves) t$e #eo#le die% Wisdom and virtue $ide t$emselves and t$e masses are ull o resentment and $ate% T$e nobles be'ome inde#endent and rebellious) and stri e arises !it$ barbarian enemies% T$e #eo#le are redu'ed to t$e last e"tremity8 t$e li e,#ulse o t$e 'ountry be'omes sluggis$ and inally e"tin't%

'3ut !$en t$e ruler 'on'entrates $is $eart do!n!ards) t$e great nobles '$e'k t$eir ostentation) t$e minor o i'ials 'arry out t$eir duties) and t$e labor o t$e #eo#le never goes unre!arded% T$e armers $ave abundant 'ro#s and t$eir !omen 'lot$es8 many !ise men are attra'ted into servi'e !it$ t$e ruler) t$e retainers are res#e't ul and obedient) t$e #eo#le #ros#erous and t$e 'ountry strong% None !it$in 'ons#ires to de eat t$e la!) and no enemy atta'ks t$e rontiers% T$e 'ountry does not $ear t$e sound o !ar and t$e #eo#le need kno! not$ing o !ea#ons%

'&t is 4ust so !it$ t$e $uman body% T$e #er e't man al!ays kee#s t$e lo!er regions illed !it$ $is $eart,energy8 !$en t$e $eart energy is t$us made ull do!n!ards) t$e seven ills ind no #la'e !it$in and assaults rom !it$out ind no !eak #oint% T$e body is vigorous and robust and t$e $eart,s#irit sound% So t$e mout$ never kno!s t$e taste o medi'ines) s!eet or bitter) t$e body never
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Master Hakuin's Yasen Kanna 2 translations compiled by Frederic Lecut in 2011

and $ealt$y% T$e li#s never kno! t$e bitterness $as to undergo t$e #ains o o medi'al #otions8 t$e body never eels t$e needle% dis, 'om ort o t$e a'u#un'ture needle or mo"a treatments% /An average or medio're #erson al!ays allo!s t$e $eart's vital energy to rise u# un'$e'ked so it does t$roug$out t$e u##er body% W$en t$e $eart's vital energy is allo!ed to rise un'$e'ked) t$e $eat emanating rom t$e $eart on t$e le t side damages t$e lungs on t$e rig$t% T$is #uts a strain on t$e ive senses) diminis$ing t$eir !orking) and 'auses $arm ul disturban'es in t$e si" roots%

'autery and

3ut t$e ordinary man takes t$e $eart,energy al!ays reely u#!ards) and !$en it t$us mounts as it likes) t$e F$eartG ire on t$e le t over'omes t$e FlungG metal on t$e rig$t) t$e senses d!indle and ail and t$e si" au"iliaries are o##ressed and lose t$eir $armony%

/3e'ause o t$is) +$uang T7u said) 'T$e True So it is t$at S$itsuen says- /T$e true man =erson breat$es rom $is $eels% T$e ordinary breat$es $is breat$ rom t$e $eels) t$e #erson breat$es rom $is t$roat%' ordinary man breat$es $is breat$ rom) t$e t$roat%/ /Hsii +$un said) 'W$en t$e vital energy is in t$e Kyos$un says- /W$en t$e Ki is in t$e lo!er lo!er $eater) t$e breat$s are long) !$en t$e region) t$e breat$ is long8 !$en it is in t$e vital energy is in t$e u##er $eater) t$e breat$s u##er region) t$e breat$ is 'ontra'ted%/ are s$ort%' /Master S$ang Yang said) 'T$ere is a single genuine vital energy in man% &ts des'ent into t$e lo!er $eater signi ies t$e return o t$e single yang% & a #erson !ants to e"#erien'e t$e o''asion !$en t$e yin rea'$es 'om#letion and yields to returning yang) $is #roo !ill be ound in t$e !armt$ t$at is generated !$en t$e vital energy is 'on'entrated in t$e lo!er body%' ;oyos$i says- /&n man t$e energy is verily one alone% W$en it goes do!n to t$e Tanden) t$e Yang rea'ts) and t$e beginning o t$e rea'tion in t$e orm o Yang 'an be 'on irmed by a eeling o !armt$%/

/T$e golden rule in t$e art o sustaining li e is T$e general rule or re#lenis$ing t$e li e is al!ays to kee# t$e u##er body 'ool and t$e t$at t$e u##er regions s$ould be al!ays 'ool lo!er body !arm% and t$e lo!er regions !arm% /T$ere are t!elve 'onduits along !$i'$ t$e /T$e #ulses o t$e body are t!elve,bran'$ed) de ensive energy and nutritive blood 'ir'ulate 'orres#onding to t$e t!elve mont$s o t$e t$roug$ t$e body% T$ese 'onduits 'orres#ond to year and t$e t!elve #eriods o t$e day% t$e t!elve $orary signs or stems) to t$e t!elve mont$s o t$e year) and to t$e t!elve $ours o t$e day%

T$ey also 'orres#ond to t$e various So also t$e 3ook o +$ange $as its si" #ermutations t$e $e"agrams or divination signs seasons)!$ose 'y'le o '$ange makes u# t$e in t$e 3ook o +$anges undergo in t$e 'ourse o year% t$eir yearly 'y'le%

Master Hakuin's Yasen Kanna 2 translations compiled by Frederic Lecut in 2011

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/6ive yin lines above and one yang line belo!, t$e $e"agram kno!n as 'Cround T$under :eturns' 'orres#onds seasonally to t$e !inter solsti'e% &t is #er$a#s t$is +$uang T7u re ers to !$en $e s#eaks o 't$e True =erson breat$ing rom $is $eels%' /T$ree yang lines belo! and t$ree yin lines above,t$e $e"agram 'Eart$ and Heaven at =ea'e' 'orres#onds seasonally to t$e irst mont$) !$en t$e ten t$ousand t$ings are #regnant !it$ t$e vital energy o generation and t$e myriad buds and lo!ers) re'eiving t$e bene i'ial moisture) burst into blossom% &t is t$e 'on iguration o t$e True =erson) !$ose lo!er body is illed !it$ #rimal energy% W$en a #erson a'$ieves t$is stage) $is de ensive energy and nutritive blood are re#lenis$ed and $is s#irit is ull o vigor and 'ourage%

&n t$is system) !$en ive Yins are above and one Yang is $eld belo!) t$e omen is T$under in t$e eart$ returning% T$e re eren'e is to t$e de#t$ o !inter) and t$is is !$at is meant by t$e true man's breat$ing rom t$e $eels%

He" J2K

W$en t$ree Yangs are in t$e lo!er #osition and t$ree Yins above) it is Eart$ and Heaven in $armony) t$e season o t$e ne! year !$en everyt$ing is imbued !it$ li e,bearing energy and t$e #lants re'eive t$e abundan'e or t$e s#ring blossoming% T$is re#resents t$e #er e't man's taking8 do!n $is energy to ill t$e lo!er regions) and !$en a man attains it $e is illed !it$ $eroi' vigour%

/6ive yin lines belo! and one yang line above , 3ut !$en ive Yins are belo! and one Yang t$e $e"agram kno!n as 'S#litting A#art' remains above) it is Mountain and Eart$ ,'orres#onds seasonally to t$e nint$ mont$% stri##ed) t$e season o Se#tember% W$en t$e $eavens are at t$is #oint) oliage in t$e garden and orest drains o 'olor) lo!ers droo# and !it$er% &t is t$e 'on iguration o t$e 'ordinary man breat$ing rom $is t$roat%' W$en a #erson rea'$es t$is stage) $e is t$in and $aggard in a##earan'e8 $is teet$ gro! loose and all% ''3e'ause o t$is) t$e Treatise on Prolonging Life W$en it mani ests in nature) orest and states- 'W$en all si" yang lines are e"$austed garden lose t$eir 'olors and all t$e #lants and man is !$olly yin) deat$ may easily o''ur%' ade and all% T$e ordinary man's breat$ing rom t$e t$roat is a symbol o it% &n t$e $uman body it is a drying and sti ening o t$e rame) !it$ t$e teet$ be'oming loose and alling% 1 t$is 'ondition t$e books on #rolonging li e say t$at t$e si" Yangs are all e"$austedDin ot$er !ords t$e man !$o is only Yin is near deat$% W$at you must kno! is t$at) or sustaining li e) W$at $as to be kno!n is 4ust t$is- t$e 'entral t$e key is) to $ave #rimal energy 'onstantly #rin'i#le is to take t$e li e energy do!n to ill illing t$e lo!er body%/ t$e lo!er regions%

He" J2H

He" J2

)$($/I$S 0O) S*ST#ININ- LI.$ #N/ #C&I$1IN- I((O)T#LIT" >Master Hakuy9 'ontinued-B /3e ore Wu +$'i, '&n olden times Tokeis$o #uri ied $imsel

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'$'u visited Master S$i$,t'ai long ago) $e #re#ared $imsel by #er orming ritual #uri i'ations% T$en $e !ent and in.uired about t$e art o re ining t$e eli"ir% Master S$i$,t'ai told $im) '& #ossess a marvelous se'ret or #rodu'ing t$e genuine and #ro ound eli"ir) but only a #erson o su#erior 'a#a'ity !ould be able to re'eive and transmit it%' T$is is t$e very same se'ret t$e Yello! Em#eror !as given by Master Kuang +$'eng% T$e Yello! Em#eror re'eived it only a ter $e $ad 'om#leted a retirement and abstinen'e o t!enty,one days% 'T$e genuine eli"ir does not e"ist a#art rom t$e Creat Way) t$e Creat Way does not e"ist a#art rom t$e genuine eli"ir% You 3udd$ists $ave a tea'$ing kno!n as t$e ive nonleakages% 1n'e t$e si" desires are dis#elled and t$e !orking o t$e ive senses is orgotten) t$e #rimal) undi erentiated energy !ill gat$er to re#letion under your very eyes%

be ore a##earing in ront o t$e tea'$er Sekidai to ask about t$e se'ret o distilling t$e Tan,eli"ir% T$e tea'$er said- /& $ave t$e se'ret o t$e great mysti' eli"ir) but t$ere is no transmission e"'e#t to one o su#erior merit%/

Again in anti.uity) !$en Koseis$i transmitted it to t$e Yello! Em#eror) t$e Em#eror $ad to #er orm #uri i'ation or t!enty,one days in order to be it to re'eive it%

A#art rom t$e great Tao t$ere is no eli"ir) and a#art rom t$e eli"ir no great Tao% No! t$ere is a met$od o ive old #uri i'ation!$en t$e si" 'ravings are abandoned) and, t$e ive senses $ave orgotten t$eir o#eration) you !ill dimly #er'eive illing you t$e li e,energy) $ard to distinguis$%

T$is is !$at T'ai,#ai Tao,4en meant !$en $e T$is is !$at t$e Taoist Tai$aku meant !$en s#oke about ''ombining one's vital inborn $e said- /T$roug$ t$e divine energy in me to energy !it$ t$e #rimal energy o $eaven and unite !it$ t$e #rimal divine energy%/ eart$ !$en'e it derives%' /You s$ould dra! !$at Men'ius 'alled t$e 'vast) e"#ansive energy' do!n and store it in t$e eli"ir ield,t$e reservoir o vital energy lo'ated belo! t$e navel%/ Hold it t$ere over t$e mont$s and years) #reserving it single,mindedly) sustaining it !it$out !avering% 1ne morning) you !ill suddenly overturn t$e eli"ir urna'e) and t$en every!$ere) !it$in and !it$out t$e entire universe) !ill be'ome a single immense #ie'e o #ure eli"ir %/ W$en t$at $a##ens) you !ill reali7e or t$e irst time t$at you yoursel are a genuine sage) as unborn as $eaven and eart$) as undying as em#ty s#a'e% At t$at moment) your e orts to re ine t$e eli"ir !ill attain fr'ition. T$is is not a su#er i'ial eat su'$ as raising !inds or riding mists) s$rinking s#a'e) or !alking over !ater) t$e kind o t$ing t$at 'an be #er ormed by lesser sages% 6or you) t$e ob4e't is to '$urn t$e great sea into inest 'Men'ius s#eaks o t$e ree energy in man% T$is is to be led to t$e Tanden in t$e energy, sea at t$e navel !$eel and 'on'entrated t$ere8 or mont$s and years #rote't it and maintain t$e unity) nouris$ it and make it #er e't% 1ne morning t$at al'$emist's 'ru'ible !ill suddenly be trans'ended) and !it$in and !it$out and $i t$e middle) in all dire'tions and in everyt$ing) t$ere !ill be t$e one great eli"ir 'ir'ulating% T$en at last you a!aken and attain to t$e sel ) t$e true immortality o t$e great s#iritual Sennin) !$i'$ !as not born even be ore $eaven and eart$ !ere) !$i'$ does not die even a ter s#a'e itsel $as 'eased to e"ist% &n t$e al'$emy o t$e Tan,eli"ir t$is is t$e season o Fulfilment% W$y do t$ey 'ling to little #sy'$i' #o!ers like riding on t$e !ind and bestriding t$e mists) 'rus$ing t$e eart$ and !alking on !ater) '$urning t$e o'ean to

He" JLH

Master Hakuin's Yasen Kanna 2 translations compiled by Frederic Lecut in 2011

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butter) to trans orm t$e great eart$ into #urest #rodu'e t$e 'elestial So 'ream gold% transmuting 'lay into yello! goldE /&n e"#laining t$e #$rase 't$e metal li.uid returns to t$e eli"ir)' a !ise man o t$e #ast said) '''Eli"ir/ re ers to t$e eli"ir ield) and /li.uid/ re ers to t$e blood luid in t$e lungs) so t$e #$rase means t$at t$e blood in t$e lungs returns to t$e eli"ir ield lo'ated belo! t$e navel%'

and

A sage $as said- /T$e Tan,eli"ir is t$e Tanden) 4ust belo! t$e navel% T$e se'ret al'$emi'al li.uid is t$at rom t$e lungs) !$i'$ is to be taken and returned to t$e Tanden%/ So t$e tea'$ing is) t$e metal li.uid is t$e 'ir'ulation o t$e Tan%'

/)#WIN- T&$ (IN/ INTO T&$ LOW$) !O/" At t$is #oint) & >HakuinB said to Master Hakuy9''& am dee#ly grate ul or your instru'tion% &'m going to dis'ontinue my 2en study or a !$ile so t$at & 'an 'on'entrate my e orts on &ntros#e'tive Meditation and 'ure my illness% T$ere is somet$ing t$at still bot$ers me) $o!ever% Wouldn't t$e met$od you tea'$ be an e"am#le o 'overly em#$asi7ing tooling remedies in order to bring t$e $eart, ire do!n)' !$i'$ t$e great #$ysi'ian Li S$i$,ts'ai !arned againstE And i & 'on'entrated my mind in a single #la'e) !ouldn't t$at im#ede t$e movement o de ensive energy and nutritive blood and make t$em stagnateE/ A li'ker o a smile 'rossed Master Hakuy9's a'e% /Not at all)/ $e re#lied% /You mustn't orget t$at Master Li also said t$e nature o ire is to lame u#!ard) so it must be made to des'end8 t$e nature o !ater is to lo! do!n!ard) so it must be made to rise% & said- 'Wit$ reveren'e & $ear% & am to dro# my 2en 'ontem#lation or a !$ile) and 'ure mysel by devoting my time to t$ese ne! #ra'ti'es%

& $ave one misgiving- may t$is not be !$at :is$isai 'ondemns as alling into #ure inertiaE & t$e $eart is $eld to one #la'e) !ill not t$e Ki and t$e blood be'ome stagnantE'

Hakuyu smiled a little and re#lied- 'Not so% 5oes not :is$isai say t$at t$e nature o ire is to bla7e u# and t$ere ore it s$ould be taken do!n) !$ereas t$e nature o !ater is to sink and t$ere ore it s$ould be made to riseE

6ire

!ater T$is 'ondition o ire des'ending and !ater Water as'ending and ire des'ending) t$at is as'ending is 'alled intermingling% !$at $e 'alls t$e mi"ing% JLH T$e time !$en intermingling is taking #la'e is W$en t$ey are mi"ed t$e omen is Fulfilled8 'alled #lready Com2leted8 t$e time !$en it is !$en t$ey are unmi"ed t$e omen is not taking #la'e is 'alled !efore Com2letion. Unfulfilled% J LK /&ntermingling is a 'on iguration o li e% Not T$e ormer is t$e sign o li e) t$e latter t$e intermingling is a 'on iguration o deat$% W$en sign o deat$% T$e s'$ool o :is$isai Master Li and t$ose o $is s'$ool s#eak o 'ondemns t$e so,'alled sinking into #ure
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'overly em#$asi7ing 'ooling remedies to bring inertia in order to save students rom alling do!n t$e $eart, ire)' t$ey do so in order to save into t$e error o Tankei F!$o 'ultivates only #eo#le !$o study t$e tea'$ings o t$e Tan,$si t$e YinG% s'$ool rom t$e $arm t$at 'ould result rom over,em#$asi7ing su'$ remedies% /6ire un'tions in t!o !ays- as #rin'e and as minister% T$e #rin'ely ire is ound in t$e u##er body8 it #resides in tran.uility% T$e ministerial ire is ound in t$e lo!er body8 it #resides in a'tivity% 'An an'ient says-/T$e minister, ire tends to rise and o##ress t$e body8 remedy t$is !it$ !ater !$i'$ by nature 'ontrols ire%/ T$e ire indeed is o dual nature) t$e #rin'e, ire !$i'$ is above and $as '$arge o stillness) and t$e minister, ire !$i'$ is belo! and $as '$arge o a'tivity%

ire

=rin'ely ire is master o t$e $eart% Ministerial T$e #rin'e, ire is t$e lord o t$e $eart) t$e ire !orks as its subordinate% minister, ire is its servant% /Ministerial ire is o t!o kinds) one o !$i'$ is ound in t$e kidneys) t$e ot$er in t$e liver% T$e kidneys 'orres#ond to t$e dragon) t$e liver to t$under% T$ere is a saying- 'T$e 'ras$ o t$under is never $eard as long as t$e dragon stays $idden in t$e de#t$s o t$e sea% T$e dragon never soars in t$e skies as long as t$under remains 'on ined to t$e mars$es and bogs%' T$e minister, ire itsel is dual) namely kidneys and liver% T$e liver is 'om#ared to t$under and t$e kidneys to dragons% So it is said) when the dragons are taken back to the bottom of the sea, thunder will not break forth, and when the thunder is taken into concealment in the depths of the lake, the dragons will not soar aloft.

Assuming t$at is true) and in vie! o t$e a't Sea and lake are bot$ o !atery nature8 t$is t$at t$e 'om#osition o bot$ seas and mars$es is t$e se'ret o #reventing t$e tenden'y o is !ater) doesn't t$e saying signi y t$at t$e t$e minister, ire to mount% ministerial ire's tenden'y to rise is su##ressedE /&t is also said t$at t$e $eart be'omes e"$austed >o energyB !$en it tires and t$us over$eats% W$en t$e $eart is e"$austed) it 'an be re#lenis$ed by making it des'end belo! and intermingle !it$ t$e kidneys% T$is is kno!n as re#lenis$ing% &t 'orres#onds to t$e #rin'i#le o #fter Com2letion mentioned be ore% /You) young man) develo#ed t$is grave illness be'ause t$e ire in your $eart !as allo!ed to rus$ u#!ard against t$e natural lo!% *nless you su''eed in bringing your $eart do!n into your lo!er body) you !ill never regain your $ealt$) not even i you master all t$e se'ret #ra'ti'es t$e t$ree !orlds $ave to o er%

Lake

Again it is said-/W$en t$e $eart is e"$austed) in t$e va'uity ire bla7es u#8 t$ere ore at t$e time !$en t$ere is va'uity) take t$e iery energy do!n!ards and mingle it !it$ t$e J LH kidneysDt$at is t$e remedy%/ &t is t$e !ay o Fulfilment.

6rom t$e mounting o t$e $eart, ire your grievous illness $as arisen% & you do not take it do!n you !ill never re'over) t$oug$ you learn and #ra'ti'e all t$e $ealing remedies $uman and divine%

/You #robably regard me as some kind o No! it may be t$at as my out!ard Taoist% You #robably t$ink !$at &'ve been telling a##earan'e is t$at o a Taoist) you an'y t$at you $as no relation to 3udd$ism at all% 3ut my tea'$ing is ar rom 3udd$ism% 3ut t$is is
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t$at's mistaken% W$at &'m tea'$ing you is 2en% 2en% 1ne day) !$en you break t$roug$) you & ) in t$e uture) you get a glim#se o true !ill see $o! laug$able !ere your ormer a!akening) you !ill smile as you re'all t$ese ideas% !ords o mine%/

NON,CONT$(0L#TION >Master Hakuy9 'ontinued-B /As or t$e #ra'ti'e o 'ontem#lation) true 'ontem#lation is non, 'ontem#lation% 6alse 'ontem#lation is 'ontem#lation t$at is diverse and un o'used% You 'ontra'ted t$is grave illness by engaging in diverse 'ontem#lation% 5on't you t$ink t$at no! you s$ould save yoursel by means o non, 'ontem#lationE & you take t$e $eat in your $eart) t$e ire in your mind) and dra! it do!n into t$e region o t$e eli"ir ield and t$e soles o t$e eet) you !ill eel naturally 'ool and re res$ed% All dis'rimination !ill 'ease% Not t$e slig$test 'ons'ious t$oug$t !ill o''ur to raise t$e !aves o emotion% T$is is true meditation , #ure and unde iled meditation% /So don't talk about dis'ontinuing your study o 2en% T$e 3udd$a $imsel taug$t t$at !e s$ould ''ure all kinds o illness by #utting t$e $eart do!n into t$e soles o t$e eet%' /T$is 'ontem#lation attains rig$t 'ontem#lation by no, 'ontem#lation% Many, #ointed 'ontem#lation is !rong 'ontem#lation% Hit$erto your 'ontem#lation $as been many, #ointed and so you $ave 'ontra'ted t$is grave malady% &s it not t$en #ro#er to 'ure it by no,'ontem#lationE & you no! 'ontrol t$e ire o $eart and !ill and #ut it in t$e Tanden and rig$t do!n to t$e soles o t$e eet) your breast !ill o itsel be'ome 'ool) !it$out a t$oug$t o 'al'ulation) !it$out a ri##le o #assion% T$is is true 'ontem#lation) #ure 'ontem#lation%

5o not 'all it dro##ing your 2en 'ontem#lation) or t$e 3udd$a $imsel says/Hold your $eart do!n in t$e soles o t$e eet and you $eal a $undred and one ills%/

T$e Agama sutras tea'$ a met$od in !$i'$ 6urt$er t$e Agama s'ri#tures s#eak o t$e butter is used% &t is une"'elled or treating use o t$e So 'ream in 'uring mental debilitation o t$e $eart% e"$austion% /&n t$e Tendai se't's reat Concentration and !nsight) t$e undamental 'auses o illness as !ell as t$e met$ods o treating t$em are set ort$ in minute detail% T!elve breat$ing te'$ni.ues are given t$at are e e'tive in 'uring a !ide range o ailments% T$ere is anot$er te'$ni.ue o visuali7ing t$e $eart as a bean resting on t$e navel% *ltimately) t$e essen'e in all t$ese met$ods is to bring t$e $eart, ire do!n and gat$er it in t$e eli"ir ield and t$e soles o t$e eet% &t is not only e e'tive or 'uring illness) it is e"tremely bene i'ial or 2en meditation as !ell% T$e Tendai meditation 'lassi' 'alled /Sto##ing and +ontem#lating/ deals in detail !it$ illnesses and t$eir 'auses) and des'ribes t$e met$ods o treatment% &t gives t!elve di erent !ays o breat$ing to 'ure various orms o illness) and it #res'ribes t$e met$od o visuali7ing a bean at t$e navel% T$e main #oint is al!ays t$at t$e $eart, ire must be taken do!n and ke#t at t$e Tanden and do!n to t$e soles) and t$is not only 'ures illness but very mu'$ $el#s 2en 'ontem#lation%

/T$ere are) & believe) t!o kinds o '&n t$e Tendai system t$ere are in a't t!o 'on'entration- 'on'entration on ultimate trut$ orms o Sto##ing- one is by 'ontrolling t$e and 'on'entration on tem#orary trut$% asso'iations) and t$e ot$er is 'learness o
Master Hakuin's Yasen Kanna 2 translations compiled by Frederic Lecut in 2011 Page 1"

Trut$% T$e ormer is a ull and #er e't meditation on T$e latter is ull 'ontem#lation o reality) t$e true as#e't o all t$ings8in t$e latter) !$ereas t$e ormer stresses irst restraining #rimary im#ortan'e is #la'ed on o'using t$e t$e mind and vitality in t$e Tanden% $eart,energy in t$e region o t$e eli"ir ield% Students !$o #ra'ti'e t$ese 'on'entrations & t$e student #ra'ti'es it) $e !ill ind it most derive great bene it rom t$em%/ use ul%

C*LTI1#TIN- T&$ (IN/ $N$)-" >Master Hakuy9 'ontinued-B /5ogen) ounding #atriar'$ o t$e Ei$ei,4i tem#le) traveled to +$ina and studied !it$ 2en master ;u,'$ing at T'ien,t'ung monastery% 1ne day) !$en $e !ent to ;u,'$ing's '$ambers to re'eive $is instru'tion) ;u,'$ing said) 'W$en you #ra'ti'e 7a7en) you s$ould #la'e you mind in t$e #alm o your le t $and%' Long ago t$e 2en #atriar'$ 5ogen) ounder o Ei$ei4i tem#le) 'rossed to +$ina and made $is reveren'e be ore t$e tea'$er Nyo4o on Mount Tendo% 1ne day $e entered t$e master's room and asked or instru'tion% T$e master said- /1 5ogen) at t$e time o sitting in meditation) #ut your $eart on your le t #alm%/

/T$is generally 'orres#onds to t$e Tendai se't's T$is is undamentally !$at t$e Tendai master 'on'entration on tem#orary trut$% means by $is Sto##ing%

/&n $is Smaller Concentration and !nsight) +$i$, T$e latter re'ords in one o $is !orks on t$e i relates $o! $e irst 'ame to tea'$ t$e se'ret sub4e't $o! $e taug$t t$e se'ret to a si'k te'$ni.ue o &ntros#e'tive Meditation brot$er) !$om it saved rom deat$% F'on'entration on tem#orary trut$G and $o! by using it $e saved $is elder brot$er) gravely ill) rom t$e brink o deat$% /T$e #riest =o,yMn said) '& al!ays kee# my $eart do!n illing my lo!er belly% & use it all t$e time,tea'$ing students) guiding t$e assembly o monks) re'eiving visitors) during en'ounters in my '$ambers) !$ile busily engaged in talks and le'tures o various kinds,and & never use it u#% Sin'e rea'$ing old age) &'ve ound its bene its to be es#e'ially great%' 'Again) Abbot Haku,un says- /& al!ays dire't my $eart so t$at it ills my abdomen% Hel#ing students or re'eiving visitors or entertaining guests) $o!ever it may be) #rea'$ingN or tea'$ing and all else) & $ave never 'eased to do it% No! in my old age t$e virtue o t$e #ra'ti'e is 'learly a##arent%

/Ho! 'ommendableN 5on't =o,yMn's !ords T$is is !ell said indeed% &t is based on t$e agree !it$ t$e tea'$ing ound in t$e Su,!enE- #$rase in t$e Somon 'lassi' o medi'ine'& you are tran.uil and ree o troubling t$oug$ts) t$e #rimal energy !ill 'on orm% As long as you #reserve t$at energy !it$in) t$ere is no #la'e or illness to enter%' /W$en you are .uiet and sim#le) and em#ty !it$in) t$e true Ki,energy 'on orms to t$at% & t$e s#irit is ke#t !it$in) $o! s$ould si'kness 'omeE/

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/Moreover) t$e essen'e o #reserving t$e energy !it$in is to kee# it re#lete and se'ure t$roug$out t$e entire body,e"tending to all t$e t$ree $undred and si"ty 4oints and ea'$ o t$e eig$ty, our t$ousand #ores o t$e skin%

T$e #oint is to kee# t$e undamental Ki !it$in) #ervading and su##orting t$e !$ole body so t$at in t$e HLA4oints and OK)AAA #ores8 t$ere is not a $air's breadt$ !it$out it%

You must kno! t$at t$is is t$e ultimate se'ret Kno! t$is to be t$e se'ret o #reserving li e% o sustaining li e% /=eng Tsu said) 'Master Ho F!$o lived OAA yearsG s#eaks t$us o a met$od o $armoni7ing t$e s#irit and dire'ting t$e Ki-

'+lose yoursel u# in a room !$ere you !on't be /S$ut yoursel a!ay in a .uiet #rivate room) disturbed% =re#are a mat !it$ bedding t$at $as and #re#are a bed level and !arm) !it$ a been !armed and a #illo! about t$ree in'$es #illo! t!o,and,a,$al in'$es $ig$% $ig$% Lie a'e u#!ard !it$ your body 'om#letely Stret'$ yoursel out on t$e ba'k) 'lose t$e straig$t% +lose your eyes and 'on ine t$e $eart, eyes and 'on ine t$e $eart energy !it$in t$e energy !it$in your breast% breast% =la'e a goose eat$er on your nose% W$en your =ut a eat$er on t$e nose and make your breat$ing does not disturb t$e eat$er) 'ount breat$ing so slo! t$at it is not moved% A ter t$ree $undred breat$s% t$ree $undred breat$s 1n'e you $ave rea'$ed a state !$ere your ears do not $ear and your eyes do not see) 'old and $eat !ill no longer dis'om ort you8 t$e #oisonous stings o bees and s'or#ions !ill be unable to $arm you% *#on attaining t$e age o t$ree $undred and si"ty) you !ill be very 'lose to be'oming a true #erson%' /Su Tung,#'o gave t$e ollo!ing advi'e- '& you are $ungry) eat some ood) but sto# eating be ore you are ull% Take a long) leisurely stroll) until you eel your a##etite return) t$en enter a .uiet room and t$e ears $ear not$ing) t$e eyes see not$ing8 in t$is state $eat and 'old 'annot assail) t$e bee's sting 'annot #oison% Li e !ill be #rolonged to HLA years and you a##roa'$ t$e state o t$e immortals%/

'T$e great #oet,mysti' Sotoba says-/5o not eat till you are $ungry) and sto# be ore you are satis ied% Co or a !alk until t$e e"ertion makes t$e stoma'$ em#ty) and !$en it is em#ty enter a .uiet room%

seat yoursel in an u#rig$t #osture% 3egin e"$aling and in$aling) 'ounting your breat$s, rom ten to a $undred) rom a $undred to a t$ousand% 3y t$e time you $ave 'ounted a t$ousand breat$s) your body s$ould be as irm and steady as a ro'k) your $eart as tran.uil and motionless as t$e em#ty sky%/

Sit silently in t$e meditation #osture and 'ount t$e outgoing and in'oming breat$s% +ount rom one to ten) rom ten to a $undred) rom) a $undred to a t$ousand) !$en t$e body !ill be'ome immobile and t$e $eart serene as t$e 'lear sky%

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'& you 'ontinue to sit like t$is or a long #eriod) your breat$ !ill $ang sus#ended% You !ill no longer in$ale or e"$ale% Your breat$ !ill e"ude in 'louds) rise u# like mist) rom t$e eig$ty, our t$ousand #ores o your skin%

& t$is #ra'ti'e is #rolonged) t$e breat$ !ill 'ome to a sto# o itsel % W$en it neit$er 'omes in nor goes out) a va#orous e"$alation !ill 'ome rom t$e OK)AAA #ores) rising like a mist%

You !ill reali7e !it$ #er e't 'larity t$at all t$e illnesses you $ave su ered rom) ea'$ o t$e 'ountless disorders you $ave e"#erien'ed rom t$e beginningless beginning) $ave all vanis$ed o t$emselves% You !ill be like a blind man suddenly regaining $is sig$t !$o no longer $as need to ask ot$ers or guidan'e on $is !ay%

You !ill ind t$at all illnesses you ever $ad are removed) and every obsta'le eliminated% No!) like a blind man !$ose eyes $ave suddenly been o#ened) you do not need to ask anot$er t$e !ay%/

/'W$at you must do is to 'ut ba'k on !ords and T$e only t$ing needed is to 'ut s$ort !orldly devote yoursel solely to sustaining your #rimal talk and build u# t$e undamental Ki% energy% Hen'e) it is said) /T$ose !$o !is$ to strengt$en t$eir sig$t kee# t$eir eyes 'losed% T$ose !$o !is$ to strengt$en t$eir $earing avoid sounds% T$ose !$o !is$ to sustain t$eir $eart,energy maintain silen'e%/ So it is said- He !$o !ould nouris$ t$e #o!er o t$e eyes al!ays kee#s t$em s$ut) $e !$o !ould nouris$ t$e #o!er o t$e ears is never eager to $ear) $e !$o !ould nouris$ t$e $eart,energy is ever silent%'

T&$ SO.T !*TT$) ($T&O/ /You mentioned a met$od in !$i'$ butter is & asked- 'May & $ear o t$e use o t$e So used)/ & said% /May & ask you about t$atE/ 'reamE' Master Hakuy9 re#lied) /W$en a student engaged in meditation inds t$at $e is e"$austed in body and mind be'ause t$e our 'onstituent elements o $is body are in a state o dis$armony) $e s$ould gird u# $is s#irit and #er orm t$e ollo!ing visuali7ation"!magine that a lum# of soft $utter, #ure in color and fragrance and the size and sha#e of a duc% egg, is suddenly #laced on the to# of your head. &s it $egins to slo'ly melt, it im#arts an e()uisite sensation, moistening and saturating your head 'ithin and 'ithout. !t continues to ooze do'n, moistening your shoulders, el$o's, and chest+ #ermeating lungs, dia#hragm, liver, stomach, and $o'els+ moving do'n the s#ine through the hi#s, Hakuyu said- '& t$e student inds in $is meditation t$at t$e our great elements are out o $armony) and body and mind are atigued) $e s$ould rouse $imsel and make t$is meditation%

Let him visualize #laced on the cro'n of his head that celestial So ointment, a$out as much as a duc%*s egg, #ure in color and fragrance. Let him feel its e()uisite essence and flavor melting and filtering do'n through his head, its flo' #ermeating do'n'ards, slo'ly laving the shoulders and el$o's, the sides of the $reast and 'ithin the chest, the lungs, liver, stomach and internal organs, the $ac% and

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#elvis, and $uttoc%s. "&t that #oint, all the congestions that have accumulated 'ithin the five organs and si( viscera, all the aches and #ains in the a$domen and other affected #arts, 'ill follo' the heart as it sin%s do'n'ard into the lo'er $ody. &s it does, you 'ill distinctly hear a sound li%e that of 'ater tric%ling from a higher to a lo'er #lace. !t 'ill move lo'er do'n through the lo'er $ody, suffusing the legs 'ith $eneficial 'armth, until it reaches the soles of the feet, 'here it sto#s. "The student should then re#eat the contem#lation. &s his vital energy flo's do'n'ard, it gradually fills the lo'er region of the $ody, suffusing it 'ith #enetrating 'armth, ma%ing him feel as if he 'ere sitting u# to his navel in a hot $ath filled 'ith a decoction of rare and fragrant medicinal her$s that have $een gathered and infused $y a s%illed #hysician. /&nasmu'$ as all t$ings are 'reated by t$e mind) !$en you engage in t$is 'ontem#lation) t$e nose !ill a'tually smell t$e marvelous s'ent o #ure) so t butter8 your body !ill eel t$e e".uisite sensation o its melting tou'$%

s#ine and hi# $ones. &ll the old ailments and adhesions and #ains in the five organs and si( au(iliaries follo' the mind do'n'ards. There is a sound as of the tric%ling of 'ater. Percolating through the 'hole $ody, the flo' goes gently do'n the legs, sto##ing at the soles of the feet.

Then let him ma%e this meditation, that the eli(ir having #ermeated and filtered do'n through him, its a$undance fills u# the lo'er half of his $ody. !t $ecomes 'arm, and he is saturated in it. -ust as a s%illful #hysician collects her$s of rare fragrance and #uts them in a #an to $oil, so the student feels that from the navel do'n he is simmering in the So eli(ir. 'W$en t$is meditation is being done t$ere !ill be #sy'$ologi'al e"#erien'es) o a sudden indes'ribable ragran'e at t$e nose, ti#) o a gentle and e".uisite sensation in t$e body%

Your body and mind !ill be in #er e't #ea'e and Mind and body be'ome $armoni7ed and ar $armony% You !ill eel better and en4oy greater sur#ass t$eir 'ondition at t$e #eak o yout$% $ealt$ t$an you did as a yout$ o t!enty or t$irty% At t$is time) all t$e undesirable a''umulations Ad$esions and obstru'tions are 'leared a!ay) in your vital organs and vis'era !ill melt a!ay% t$e organs are tran.uilli7ed and insensibly Stoma'$ and bo!els !ill un'tion #er e'tly% t$e skin begins to glo!% 3e ore you kno! it) your skin !ill glo! !it$ $ealt$% & you 'ontinue to #ra'ti'e t$e 'ontem#lation !it$ diligen'e) t$ere is no illness t$at 'annot be 'ured) no virtue t$at 'annot be a'.uired) no level o sage$ood t$at 'annot be rea'$ed) no religious #ra'ti'e t$at 'annot be mastered% W$et$er su'$ results a##ear s!i tly or slo!ly de#ends only u#on $o! s'ru#ulously you a##ly yoursel % & t$e #ra'ti'e is 'arried on !it$out rela#se) !$at illness !ill not be $ealed) !$at #o!er !ill not be a'.uired) !$at #er e'tion !ill not be attained) !$at Way !ill not be ul illedE T$e arrival o t$e result de#ends only on $o! t$e student #er orms t$e #ra'ti'es%

/& !as a si'kly yout$) in mu'$ !orse s$a#e W$en & !as a yout$ & !as mu'$ more ill t$an
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t$an you are no!%'& e"#erien'ed ten times t$e you are no!% su ering you $ave endured% T$e do'tors inally gave u# on me% & e"#lored $undreds o 'ures on my o!n) but none o t$em broug$t me any relie % & turned to t$e gods or $el#% =rayed to t$e deities o bot$ $eaven and eart$) begging t$em or t$eir subtle) im#er'e#tible assistan'e% & !as marvelously blessed% T$ey e"tended me t$eir su##ort and #rote'tion% & 'ame u#on t$is !onder ul met$od o so t,butter 'ontem#lation% My 4oy kne! no bounds% & immediately set about #ra'ti'ing it !it$ total and single,minded determination% T$e do'tors gave u# t$e 'ase) and & 'lut'$ed at a $undred e"#edients but 'ould ind no art t$at !ould $el# me% & #rayed to t$e deities o $eaven and eart$) and invoked t$e aid o t$e divine Sennin%

3y t$eir gra'e t$ere 'ame to me une"#e'tedly t$e se'ret o t$e So 'ream% My 4oy !as indes'ribable) and & #ra'ti'ed it 'ontinuously%

3e ore even a mont$ !as out) my troubles $ad 3e ore a mont$ $ad #assed t$e greater #art almost totally vanis$ed% Sin'e t$at time) &'ve o t$e illnesses $ad been eliminated) and never been t$e least bit bot$ered by any t$erea ter) & $ave elt only lig$tness and 'om#laint) #$ysi'al or mental% #ea'e in my body and mind% /& be'ame like an,ignoramus) mindless and utterly ree o 'are% & !as oblivious to t$e #assage o time% & never kne! !$at day or mont$ it !as) even !$et$er it !as a lea# year or not% & gradually lost interest in t$e t$ings t$e !orld $olds dear) soon orgot 'om#letely about t$e $o#es and desires and 'ustoms o ordinary men and !omen% &n my middle years) & !as 'om#elled by 'ir'umstan'e to leave Kyoto and take re uge in t$e mountains o Wakasa =rovin'e% & lived t$ere nearly t$irty years) unkno!n to my ello! men% Looking ba'k on t$at #eriod o my li e) it seems as leeting and unreal as t$e dream,li e t$at las$ed t$roug$ Lu,s$eng's slumbering brain% /No! & live $ere in t$is solitary s#ot in t$e $ills o S$iraka!a) ar rom all $uman $abitation% & $ave a layer or t!o o 'lot$ing to !ra# around my !it$ered old 'ar'ass% 3ut even in mid!inter) on nig$ts !$en t$e 'old bites t$roug$ t$e t$in 'otton) & don't ree7e% *nmoving) unminding) & do not re'kon t$e mont$s nor kee# tra'k o t$e years8 t$oug$ts o t$e !orld $ave be'ome e!) old $abits and desires seem orgotten% & do not kno! $o! old & may be% 6or a time & 'ame to !ander in solitude in t$e mountains o Wakasu8

t$at !as about t$irty years% No one in t$e !orld kne! me% W$en & look ba'k it is 4ust like t$e dream at Koryan F!$ere a traveler dreamed t$e events o a li etime in $al an $ourG% No!) alone in t$ese mountains) & $ave set ree t$is body% T$ere are only a 'ou#le o 'lot$s or 'overing) yet in t$e $ardest !inter) !$en t$e 'lot$ 'urls under t$e 'old) my body su ers no '$ill%

Even during t$e mont$s !$en t$ere are no T$e grain 'omes to an end and o ten t$ere is mountain ruits or nuts or me to gat$er) and & not$ing to eat or several mont$s) yet & eel $ave no grain to eat) & don't starve% neit$er $unger nor 'old%

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&t is all t$anks to t$is 'ontem#lation%

W$at is t$is but t$e #o!er o t$e NaikanE

/Young man) you $ave 4ust learned a se'ret T$e se'ret & $ave given you is somet$ing t$at you 'ould not use u# in a !$ole li etime% !$ose mysteries you !ill never e"$aust% W$at more 'ould & tea'$ youE/ 3esides t$is) !$at $ave & to tell youE'

T#%IN- L$#1$ O. &#%*"* Master Hakuy9 sat silently !it$ $is eyes 'losed% He 'losed $is eyes and sat in silen'e% My eyes & t$anked $im #ro usely) my o!n eyes !ere ull o tears as & made my are!ell glistening !it$ tears) and t$en bade $im salutations% are!ell% T$e last vestiges o lig$t !ere lingering in t$e Slo!ly & des'ended rom t$e 'ave mout$% T$e to#most bran'$es o t$e trees as & le t t$e 'ave remaining sunbeams 4ust tou'$ed t$e ti#s o and made my !ay slo!ly do!n t$e mountain% t$e trees% Suddenly) & !as sto##ed in my tra'ks by t$e 'lo# 'lo# o !ooden 'logs striking t$e stony ground and e'$oing u# rom t$e sides o t$e valley% Hal in !onder) $al in disbelie ) & #eered a##re$ensively around to see t$e igure o Master Hakuy9 'oming to!ard me in t$e distan'e% & began to noti'e a sound o ootste#s e'$oing in t$e mountain and valley% An a!e and dread 'ame over me) and ear ully & turned to look ba'k% & sa! in t$e distan'e t$at t$e Master Hakuyu $ad le t t$e ro'k 'ave%

W$en $e !as near enoug$ to s#eak) $e said) As $e 'ame u# $e said- '&n t$ese tra'kless /No one uses t$ese mountain trails% &t's easy to mountains you 'an easily be lost% & !ill guide lose your !ay% You mig$t $ave trouble getting your ste#s lest you get into di i'ulties%' ba'k) so &'ll take you #art!ay do!n%/ A skinny !ooden sta gras#ed in $is $and) $ig$ !ooden 'logs on $is eet) $e !alked on a$ead o me) talking and laug$ing% He moved nimbly and e ortlessly over rugged 'li s and stee# mountainside) 'overing t$e di i'ult terrain !it$ t$e ease o someone strolling t$roug$ a !ell, ke#t garden% A ter a league or so) !e 'ame to t$e mountain stream% He said i & ollo!ed it & !ould $ave no trouble inding my !ay ba'k to t$e village o S$iraka!a% Wit$ !$at seemed a look o sadness) $e t$en turned and began to retra'e $is ste#s% Again) & #ressed my #alms toget$er and bo!ed my $ead lo! in t$anks% & stood t$ere motionless) !at'$ing as Master Hakuy9 made $is !ay u# t$e mountain trail) marveling at t$e Wit$ $is great !ooden 'logs and t$in sta $e trod t$e stee# ro'ks and s$eer 'li s lig$tly as level ground8 talking and laug$ing $e s$o!ed me t$e !ay%

T!o or t$ree miles do!n t$e mountain !e 'ame to t$e valley stream% He said- '6ollo! its 'ourse and you !ill 'ome sa e to W$ite, :iver valley)' and abru#tly le t me%

6or some time & stood like a tree) !at'$ing t$e master returning) $is stride like t$at o an an'ient $ero% So lig$tly $e es'a#ed t$e !orld) as'ending t$e mountain as i on !ings%
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Master Hakuin's Yasen Kanna 2 translations compiled by Frederic Lecut in 2011

strengt$ and vigor o $is ste#% He moved !it$ su'$ lig$t) un ettered reedom) as i $e !ere one !$o $ad trans'ended t$is !orld) $ad s#routed !ings) and !as lying u# to 4oin t$e ranks o immortal sages% Ca7ing at $im) my $eart !as illed !it$ res#e't) A longing and an a!e !ere on me , to t$e and !it$ a tou'$ o envy as !ell% & also elt a end o my days & $ave regretted t$at & 'ould #ang o regret) kno!ing t$at never again in t$is not ollo! su'$ a man% li etime !ould & be able to en'ounter and learn rom a man su'$ as t$is%

T&$ !$N$.ITS O. INT)OS0$CTI1$ ($/IT#TION & !ent dire'tly ba'k to S$oin,4i% T$ere & devoted mysel to &ntros#e'tive Meditation) #ra'ti'ing it over and over on my o!n% &n less t$an t$ree yearsD!it$out re'ourse to medi'ine) a'u#un'ture) or mo"a'auteryDt$e illnesses t$at $ad been #laguing me or years 'leared u# o t$emselves% W$at is more) during t$e same #eriod & e"#erien'ed t$e immense 4oy o great satori si" or seven times) boring t$roug$ and #enetrating to t$e root o all t$ose $ard, to,believe) $ard, to,#enetrate) $ard,to,gras#) and $ard,to,enter koans t$at & $ad never be ore been able to get my teet$ into at all% & attained 'ountless small satoris as !ell) !$i'$ sent me !alt7ing about !aving my $ands in t$e air in mindless dan'e% & t$en kne! or t$e irst time t$at 2en master Ta,$ui $ad not been de'eiving me !$en $e $ad !ritten about e"#erien'ing eig$teen great satori and 'ountless small ones% &n t$e #ast) & used to !ear t!o and even t$ree layers o tabi) but t$e soles o my eet still al!ays elt as t$oug$ t$ey !ere soaking in tubs o i'e% No!) even in t$e t$ird mont$) t$e 'oldest time o year) & didn't need even a single #air% & no longer re.uired a bra7ier to kee# mysel !arm% Slo!ly & !ent ba'k% & absorbed mysel 'ontinuously in t$e Naikan #ra'ti'es) and in barely t$ree years all my maladies disa##eared o t$emselves !it$out drugs or ot$er treatment%

Not merely !as t$e illness 'ured) but t$e Koan) $ard to $old and $ard to ollo!) $ard to understand and $ard to enter) on !$i'$ be ore & 'ould ind no #ur'$ase or $and or oot) into !$i'$ & 'ould not bite) no! & ollo!ed to t$e root and #enetrated to t$e bottom% Si" or seven times & $ad t$e great bliss o t$at #assing t$roug$) and times !it$out 'ounting t$e dan'ing 4oy o minor satori% & kne! t$at t$e old master 5aiye !as verily not de'eiving us !$en $e s#oke o eig$teen great satori reali7ations and 'ountless lesser ones%

As or mysel ) in t$e old days t$e soles o my eet !ere al!ays ree7ing as i in i'e) even !$en & !ore t!o or t$ree #airs o so'ks) but no! during t$e t$ree mont$s o !inter's rigor & neit$er #ut on so'ks nor !arm my eet at t$e ire%

& am more t$an eig$ty years old t$is year) but & $ave #assed my seventiet$ year) yet t$ere even no! & never su er rom t$e slig$test is no tra'e o illness to be ound) and surely indis#osition% Surely all o t$is is due to t$e t$is is t$e e e't o t$e divine se'ret%
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lingering bene its & en4oy rom $aving #ra'ti'ed t$e !onder ul se'ret te'$ni.ue o &ntros#e'tive Meditation%

$0ILO-*$ Even t$inking about it no!) t$e tears tri'kle do!n my leat$ery old '$eeksD& 4ust 'an't $el# it% 6our or ive years ago) & $ad a dream% Master Hakuy9 $ad 'ome all t$e !ay rom t$e $ills o S$iraka!a to visit me $ere at S$oin,4i% We s#ent a !$ole nig$t laug$ing and talking toget$er% & elt so $a##y t$at t$e ollo!ing morning & told t$e monks living at t$e tem#le all about it% T$ey bo!ed and #ressed t$eir #alms toget$er in attitudes o !ors$i#% /CoodN CoodN/ t$ey said% /Maybe it !ill 'ome to #ass% =er$a#s t$e dream !ill be'ome reality% & Master Hakuy9 did 'ome $ere) it !ould be a great $onor or t$e tem#le% /You turned eig$ty t$is year) master) but your mind and body are bot$ still strong and vigorous% You tea'$ us and e"tend your $el# to ot$er students ar and !ide% &sn't it all t$anks to Master Hakuy9E Let one or t!o o us go to Kyoto and invite $im to visit S$oin,4i% He 'ould live $ere at t$e tem#le% We 'ould #rovide or $is needs t$roug$ our begging%/ A eeling o elation #assed t$roug$ t$e brot$er$ood% =lans began to be laid% T$en a monk ste##ed or!ard% /Hold on)/ $e said) laug$ing% /You're making t$e mistake o 'marking t$e side o a moving boat to s$o! !$ere t$e s!ord ell in%' &'m sorry to $ave to be t$e one to tell you t$is) but Master Hakuy9) t$e #erson you are talking about) is no longer alive% He died t$is #ast summer%/ T$e monks astonis$ment% 'la##ed t$eir $ands in No! let it not be said t$at t$e old dodderer o S$oin4i $as !it$ $is dying gas#s '$roni'led a mass o drivel to bamboo7le good men% 6or t$ose !$o are already s#iritual as$es) !$ose blo! $as stru'k t$roug$ to satori) or t$ose $ig$er ones t$is !as never meant8 but to dullards like mysel ) !$o $ave been ill like me) it !ill undoubtedly be o $el# i studied% T$e only ear is t$at outsiders may 'la# t$eir $ands and laug$ over it% W$en t$e $orse is '$e!ing u# an old stra! basket) one 'an't get a na# in #ea'e)

/You s$ouldn't re#eat idle rumors like t$atN/ & said) admonis$ing t$e monk% /Hakuy9 is no ordinary man% He is one o t$e immortal sages !$o 4ust $a##ens to !alk t$e eart$% Ho! 'ould su'$ a man dieE/ /*n ortunately) t$at !as $is undoing% &t is

Master Hakuin's Yasen Kanna 2 translations compiled by Frederic Lecut in 2011

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be'ause $e trod t$e eart$ t$at $e met $is deat$% Last summer) it seems $e !as !alking in t$e mountains and 'ame to t$e edge o a dee# ravine% &t !as more t$an a $undred yards to t$e ot$er side% He tried to lea# a'ross) but $e didn't make it% He ell to t$e ro'ks belo!% His deat$ !as lamented by villagers ar and near%/ T$e monk) $is story 'om#leted) stood t$ere !it$ a orlorn look on $is a'e% & ound my o!n eyes s$edding 'o#ious tears% 5on't be saying old Hakuin) $al dead and gas#ing out $is inal breat$s) $as re'klessly s'ribbled out a long tissue o groundless nonsense $o#ing to $ood!ink su#erior students% W$at &'ve #ut do!n $ere is not intended or t$ose !$o #ossess s#iritual #o!ers o t$e irst orderDt$e kind o su#erior seeker !$o is a!akened at a single blo! rom $is master's mallet% 3ut i dull) #lodding oa s like meDt$e kind o #eo#le !$o !ill su er rom illness as & didDget a look at t$is book) read and 'ontem#late its meaning) t$ey s$ould surely be able to obtain a little $el# rom it% &n a't) a ter giving t$e matter more 'onsideration) & t$ink #er$a#s t$e bene it !ill not ne'essarily be small% &n any event) t$e main t$ingD!$at !e must all '$eris$ and revereDis t$e se'ret met$od o &ntros#e'tive Meditation% &n t$e s#ring o t$e sevent$ year o t$e Horeki era >?@I@B) & 'om#osed a !ork in ;a#anese t$at & 'alled !dle Tal% on a .ight /oat% &n it) & set ort$ t$e essential #rin'i#les o t$e meditation% Ever sin'e t$en) #eo#le o all kindsDmonks) nuns) laymen) lay,!omenD$ave told me $o!) !$en t$e odds !ere sta'ked ten to one against t$em) t$ey !ere saved rom t$e misery o grave and in'urable illnesses o!ing to t$e !onder ul bene its o &ntros#e'tive Meditation% T$ey $ave 'ome to me $ere at S$oin,4i in numbers & 'annot even 'ount to t$ank me in #erson% T!o or t$ree years ago) a young manD$e must $ave been about t!enty,t!o or t!enty,t$reeD s$o!ed u# at t$e tem#le asking to see me% W$en & ste##ed out to greet $im) & !as taken aba'k by t$e great bundle o #resentsD in'luding several gold 'oinsD$e $ad broug$t or me% He bo!ed $is $ead to t$e ground%

Master Hakuin's Yasen Kanna 2 translations compiled by Frederic Lecut in 2011

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/& am so,and,so rom Matsu7aka in &se =rovin'e)/ $e said% /About si" years ago) & 'ame do!n !it$ a serious ailment) !$i'$ & ound im#ossible to 'ure% & tried all t$e se'ret remedies & kne!) but none o t$em $ad any e e't !$atever% All t$e #$ysi'ians & 'onsulted !rote me o as a $o#eless 'ase% &t seemed t$en t$at t$ere !as not$ing le t or me to do e"'e#t a!ait t$e end% A !onder ul t$ing t$en $a##ened% & '$an'ed to read !dle Tal% on a .ight /oat% As best & 'ould !it$ my meager abilities) & began to #ra'ti'e t$e se'ret te'$ni.ue o &ntros#e'tive Meditation on my o!n% W$at a blessing it !asN Little by little) my energy began to return% Today & am restored to #er e't $ealt$% & 'an't tell you $o! $a##y and t$ank ul & elt% & !as dan'ing on airN Sin'e it $ad all 'ome about be'ause & $a##ened u#on &dle Talk on a Nig$t 3oat) t$ere !as no!$ere & 'ould goDno #$ysi'ian or $ealer to !$om & 'ould e"#ress my gratitude% 6ortunately) $o!ever) as & !as mulling !$at & s$ould do) & $eard a vague rumor t$at you) Master Hakuin) !ere t$e aut$or o !dle Tal% on a .ight /oat% &mmediately) & !anted to see your revered 'ountenan'e so & 'ould e"#ress my #ro ound gratitude to you in #erson% 1n t$e #rete"t o transa'ting some business in Edo) & traveled all t$e !ay rom &se =rovin'e to see you% T$is is t$e $a##iest moment o my entire li e% Not$ing 'ould e"'eed it%/ As & listened to $im relate t$e details o $is story) 'an you imagine t$e $a##iness t$is old monk also eltE &'m only a raid t$at ot$er #eo#le) !$en t$ey read t$is !ork) !ill 'la# t$eir $ands and break into great #eals o laug$ter% W$y is t$atE & horse calmly che'ing its fodder Distur$s a man at his midday na# Written on t$e 3udd$a's birt$day) t$e t$ird year o Mei!a >?@LLB

Master Hakuin's Yasen Kanna 2 translations compiled by Frederic Lecut in 2011

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