SUZUKI ROSHI TRANSLATION
Sights vary in quality and form, Sounds differ as pleasing or harsh. Refined and common speech come together in the dark, Clear and murky phrases are distinguished in the light.
MAEZUMI ROSHI TRANSLATION
Form makes the character and appearance different. The dark makes all words one; The brightness distinguishes good and bad phrases.
SENSEI SŌEN MICHAEL BRUNNER COMMENTARY
Our sensory perceptions offer a wide vista of experiences, each apparently unique and distinct. The crow’s coarse caw and the sharp peal of the temple bell arise together, each with their own qualities, yet both make their way through the same morning air. It is essential to recognize that the quality and form we perceive are not intrinsic properties of the objects in and of themselves, but are influenced through the act of observation and are inextricably linked in this way.
Refined and common speech come together in the dark, and clear and murky phrases are distinguished in the light.Language, a tool for communication and expression, plays a significant role not only in shaping our understanding of the world but in the events themselves. In the dark, when our understanding is obscured, wonder reigns, and refined and common speech merge, diminishing delusions of separateness. In the light, when our understanding is at play, we discern and create the differences between clear and murky phrases.
This awakens us to the fact that our perceptions and interpretations of language are influenced by our understanding. The distinctions we make are not absolute truths, but rather relative and contextual. What may be clear and meaningful in one context can appear murky and confusing in another.
To truly grasp the essence of these lines, we must go beyond superficial judgments and fixed definitions. We must cultivate a deep sense of openness and curiosity, approaching each moment with a beginner's mind. By doing so, we can embrace the fluidity and ever-changing nature of our perceptions and interpretations.
The Sandōkai beckons us to explore the interplay between light and dark, clarity and obscurity, recognizing that our understanding is not intrinsically solid and is subject to our own karmic conditioning and perspectives. It urges us to cultivate discernment without attachment, allowing for a more nuanced and expansive perception of our lived experience.
When we rest in not-knowing, the boundaries dividing sight, sound, and meaning soften. We no longer need to force the world into rigid categories to feel secure; instead, we meet the living source where all phenomena depend upon and illuminate one another.
Approach the sights and sounds of life with an open heart and mind, embracing the fleeting nature of our perceptions.Cultivate discernment without clinging to fixed judgments, and you will find joy and harmony in the interplay of clarity and obscurity. For in every word uttered—whether refined or rough, clear or murky—we can hear the Master’s Voice, if only we listen without grasping.
