Difference between revisions of "Qingjing Jing: The Classic of Purity and Stillness"
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| − | + | ''{{Wiki|Daoist}} work from the {{Wiki|Tang Dynasty}}, entitled [[Qingjing Jing]] (清靜經), or the “Classic of [[Purity]] and Stillness.” This is an important and {{Wiki|central}} text in the {{Wiki|Daoist}} [[religion]]. It builds upon the {{Wiki|Laozi}} and uses the {{Wiki|literary}} style of the [[Prajñā]][[pāramitā]] [[Hṛdaya]] [[Sūtra]] to explain the method of [[attaining]] the Dao in systematic, cascading [[logic]] with few adornments. The text has been commented upon extensively, is universally praised, and is commonly studied and recited to this day. [[Master]] [[Nan Huai-Chin]] has also regarded the Classic of [[Purity]] and Stillness as {{Wiki|being}} the single greatest work of the {{Wiki|Daoist}} [[religion]].'' | |
| − | + | ---------------------------------------- | |
| + | [[Lord]] Lao said: “The great Dao has no [[form]], yet it gives [[birth]] to [[Heaven]] and [[Earth]]. The great Dao has no [[desires]], yet it moves the {{Wiki|sun}} and {{Wiki|moon}} along their orbits. The great Dao has no [[name]], yet it constantly nurtures the myriad [[phenomena]]. I do not know its [[name]], and yet I attempt to speak of it as the Dao.” | ||
| − | The human | + | The dao of [[human beings]] is [[pure]] and [[impure]]; it has [[action]] and it has stillness. [[Heaven]] is [[pure]] and [[Earth]] is [[impure]]; [[Heaven]] acts and the [[Earth]] is still. {{Wiki|Masculine}} is [[pure]] and {{Wiki|feminine}} is [[impure]]; {{Wiki|masculine}} acts and the {{Wiki|feminine}} is still. Descending from the origin and flowing to the tips, the myriad [[phenomena]] are born. [[Purity]] is the source of [[impurity]], and stillness is the basis of {{Wiki|movement}}. If [[people]] can be constantly [[pure]] and still, then [[Heaven]] and [[Earth]] will certainly revert to them! |
| − | + | The [[human]] [[spirit]] is fond of [[purity]], but the [[mind]] disturbs it; the [[human]] [[mind]] is fond of stillness, but [[desires]] lead it along. If the [[mind]] can be [[constant]] without [[desires]], then the [[mind]] will become still; when the [[mind]] has settled, then the [[spirit]] will be [[pure]]. Naturally the Six [[Desires]] will not be born and the [[Three poisons]] will perish. Those who cannot accomplish this have [[minds]] not yet settled, and are not yet rid of [[desires]]. | |
| − | + | For one who has dispatched with [[desires]], when he observes his [[mind]], there is [[no mind]]. When he observes his outer [[form]], there is no such [[form]]. When he observes {{Wiki|external}} [[phenomena]], there are no such things. He realizes that these three are fundamentally [[empty]], and he only sees [[Emptiness]]. He observes that this [[Emptiness]] is also [[empty]], yet the [[Emptiness]] has [[nothing]] which is [[empty]]. Since the [[Emptiness]] is [[empty]], that which is not [[empty]] is also [[empty]]. Since what is not [[empty]] is [[empty]], there is clarity and [[constant]] [[tranquility]]. Since this [[tranquility]] has [[nothing]] which is [[tranquil]], what can give [[birth]] to [[desires]]? Since [[desires]] are not born, this is itself true stillness, true [[constant]] response to [[phenomena]], true [[constant]] [[attainment]] and abiding. With [[constant]] response and [[constant]] stillness, this is indeed [[constant]] [[purity]] and stillness. | |
| − | + | With such [[purity]] and stillness, one gradually enters the true Dao. Because one has entered the true Dao, it is deemed “[[attaining]] the Dao.” Although it is called “[[attaining]] the Dao,” in fact there is [[nothing]] acquired. For the [[purpose]] of [[transforming]] [[living beings]], it is called “[[attaining]] the Dao.” Those who can [[awaken]] to it are then able to transmit the sagely Dao. | |
| − | + | [[Lord]] Lao said: “High {{Wiki|warriors}} do not fight, while low {{Wiki|warriors}} are fond of fighting. High [[virtue]] is without ‘[[virtue]],’ while low [[virtue]] [[grasps]] after [[virtue]]. Those who [[grasp]] at such things do not understand the [[virtue]] of the Dao.” | |
| − | If one awakens to the constant true Dao, he will attain it. One who attains and awakens to the Dao has constant purity and stillness indeed. | + | Therefore it is impossible for [[living beings]] to attain the true Dao with deluded [[minds]]. Since they have deluded [[minds]], their [[spirits]] are frightened; because their [[spirits]] are frightened, they are attached to the myriad [[phenomena]]. Because they are attached to the myriad [[phenomena]], they give [[birth]] to [[greedy]] seeking; due to the [[birth]] of this [[greedy]] seeking, they they encounter confusion and [[Anger]]. With these [[afflictions]] and [[delusions]], they [[concern]] themselves with the [[pains]] of the [[Body]] and [[mind]]. Since they easily encounter [[impurity]] and disgrace, they wander aimlessly in [[birth]] and [[Death]], constantly submerged in the sea of [[Suffering]], and perpetually missing the true Dao. |
| + | |||
| + | If one awakens to the [[constant]] true Dao, he will attain it. One who attains and awakens to the Dao has [[constant]] [[purity]] and stillness indeed. | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.lapislazulitexts.com/ancient_china/qing_jing_jing www.lapislazulitexts.com] | [http://www.lapislazulitexts.com/ancient_china/qing_jing_jing www.lapislazulitexts.com] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
[[Category:China]] | [[Category:China]] | ||
Latest revision as of 11:53, 14 December 2013
Daoist work from the Tang Dynasty, entitled Qingjing Jing (清靜經), or the “Classic of Purity and Stillness.” This is an important and central text in the Daoist religion. It builds upon the Laozi and uses the literary style of the Prajñāpāramitā Hṛdaya Sūtra to explain the method of attaining the Dao in systematic, cascading logic with few adornments. The text has been commented upon extensively, is universally praised, and is commonly studied and recited to this day. Master Nan Huai-Chin has also regarded the Classic of Purity and Stillness as being the single greatest work of the Daoist religion.
Lord Lao said: “The great Dao has no form, yet it gives birth to Heaven and Earth. The great Dao has no desires, yet it moves the sun and moon along their orbits. The great Dao has no name, yet it constantly nurtures the myriad phenomena. I do not know its name, and yet I attempt to speak of it as the Dao.”
The dao of human beings is pure and impure; it has action and it has stillness. Heaven is pure and Earth is impure; Heaven acts and the Earth is still. Masculine is pure and feminine is impure; masculine acts and the feminine is still. Descending from the origin and flowing to the tips, the myriad phenomena are born. Purity is the source of impurity, and stillness is the basis of movement. If people can be constantly pure and still, then Heaven and Earth will certainly revert to them!
The human spirit is fond of purity, but the mind disturbs it; the human mind is fond of stillness, but desires lead it along. If the mind can be constant without desires, then the mind will become still; when the mind has settled, then the spirit will be pure. Naturally the Six Desires will not be born and the Three poisons will perish. Those who cannot accomplish this have minds not yet settled, and are not yet rid of desires.
For one who has dispatched with desires, when he observes his mind, there is no mind. When he observes his outer form, there is no such form. When he observes external phenomena, there are no such things. He realizes that these three are fundamentally empty, and he only sees Emptiness. He observes that this Emptiness is also empty, yet the Emptiness has nothing which is empty. Since the Emptiness is empty, that which is not empty is also empty. Since what is not empty is empty, there is clarity and constant tranquility. Since this tranquility has nothing which is tranquil, what can give birth to desires? Since desires are not born, this is itself true stillness, true constant response to phenomena, true constant attainment and abiding. With constant response and constant stillness, this is indeed constant purity and stillness.
With such purity and stillness, one gradually enters the true Dao. Because one has entered the true Dao, it is deemed “attaining the Dao.” Although it is called “attaining the Dao,” in fact there is nothing acquired. For the purpose of transforming living beings, it is called “attaining the Dao.” Those who can awaken to it are then able to transmit the sagely Dao.
Lord Lao said: “High warriors do not fight, while low warriors are fond of fighting. High virtue is without ‘virtue,’ while low virtue grasps after virtue. Those who grasp at such things do not understand the virtue of the Dao.”
Therefore it is impossible for living beings to attain the true Dao with deluded minds. Since they have deluded minds, their spirits are frightened; because their spirits are frightened, they are attached to the myriad phenomena. Because they are attached to the myriad phenomena, they give birth to greedy seeking; due to the birth of this greedy seeking, they they encounter confusion and Anger. With these afflictions and delusions, they concern themselves with the pains of the Body and mind. Since they easily encounter impurity and disgrace, they wander aimlessly in birth and Death, constantly submerged in the sea of Suffering, and perpetually missing the true Dao.
If one awakens to the constant true Dao, he will attain it. One who attains and awakens to the Dao has constant purity and stillness indeed.
