"Happily Practicing the Way (Tao) While Living in the Mundane World" (Cư Trần Lạc Đạo) is a prose essay by King Tran Nhan Tong (Truc Lam
The Great Ascetic Hermit). It is the first essay in Old Vietnamese (tiếng Nôm). It consists of eight paragraphs which explain the heart of the Great Hermit's method of mind training.
The First Paragraph
While my body is dwelling in the city, my living style is
that of those living in the wilderness.
When all the karmas (committed by the body, in words, and in thoughts)
are subdued/pacified, both the outward expressions and the inner nature become
calm. As a result, it takes only half a day to practice in peace, and both the
body and the mind are under control.
When the spring of lust ceases, my mind is no longer
bothered by love or desire; once arguments about rights and wrongs stop, I can
enjoy the beautiful songs by swallows and thrushes.
Many feel contented when they are traveling and seeking
quietism among wild rivers and green mountains, but among them is there any who
is able to see the nature of green foliage and pink roses?
The images of blue skies and a silver moon shine upon all
flowing Zen rivers, while the wisdom sun extends its radiation over innumerable
gentle willows and fresh flowers.
Those who practice mystical methods may want to
transform their bodies and to transcend this world; they then are trying
hard with alchemy in search of a rare potion for an eternal life in the upper
realm of heaven. On the other hand,
Buddhist followers simply love to read sutras and treatises, as they consider a
simple and free-from-fetters life much more valuable than gold and jewels. (to be continued)
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tran_Nhan_Tong
http://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tr%E1%BA%A7n_Nh%C3%A2n_T%C3%B4ng
http://thuvienhoasen.org/D_1-2_2-137_4-19440_5-50_6-2_17-68_14-1_15-1/#nl_detail_bookmark
