A Mortal Life, Born of One Thought · Above and Below, All Connected · 79 / 102
Qing Bei Le · Heaven and Earth Without Limit
Heaven's decree is nonsense; I tear up the register of immortals and throw myself into the eight hundred ways of the world. To be happy is good enough, Buddha or Dao, it makes no difference — I mean to write of unfettered things. Blade raised, astride the horse, killing without pardon; the blood spatters and the flying sand washes it away. In black robes I take shape, hidden in the color of night, putting down the traitors of the imperial city.
Carefully I give out the mineral medicine; the wooden fish is struck until it splits; forgetting home, kin, and self, I pass beyond rebirth. Cupping the wine, I set the shooting stars swaying, read the whole universe in silence, and rise again carrying the splendor of the age. The six realms are level and calm; I tip the cup and drink my fill, and sitting on the bare ground I take a new meaning apart. Joy brings the tears out; as long as the body is here, the meditating heart does not die.
Glosses—
the three forgettings: forgetting home, forgetting kin, forgetting self.
*This piece is an original work. If you repost it, please credit the original author Guang Zhi Shiyi; any infringement, once discovered, will be pursued to the full extent of the law. In addition, the accompanying illustration comes from the internet and belongs to its original artist, Yichui Wuyue.