' Drawing water and carrying wood '...

My daily affairs are quite ordinary;
but I'm in total harmony with them.

I don't hold on to anything, don't reject anything;
nowhere an obstacle or conflict.

Who cares about wealth and honor?
Even the poorest thing shines.

My miraculous power and spiritual activity:
drawing water and carrying wood.



- Layman P'ang (c. 740-808)

"The Enlightened Heart"
An Anthology of Sacred Poetry
Edited by Stephen Mitchell
Harper & Row, New York , 1989