Poem

Prof James Kuo K'ung Yu
(trans. by Sr. Kuo Jing)

MISSING LEG GATHA OF THE MAD ONE OF THE WAY

      To seek the sagely way

is not hard,

Just get rid of desire

and cut off afflictions.

Regarding people, do not argue

between common and sagely.

With things,

neither grasp nor dislike.

The two sides dispelled,

the three realms are ended.

Once broken from the mark

of self,

The myriad things respond to

causes and accord with

conditions.

Sleeping with your two legs

in lotus.

You need not spend much

on house rent.

Coarse rice and bland tea

suffice.

Why bother to get

angry or upset?

Now people say

I'm a mad man.

But just wait another three

five or ten years.

By then: if I smile

at my grave.

I'll either be saints

or an arhat.

By then: if you cry

up a stone,

Why didn't you need my advice

years ago!