Tony Nguyễn Wiederhold

This poem is the verse that accompanies the Wumen Guan (禪宗無門關) version of Ordinary Heart Is The Way, first published in 1229 CE. At our retreats, it is our tradition for the Timekeeper for the closing meditation period to recite this in English to break silence. This is my English translation. Any errors are my own.

English

Spring has 100 blossoms.
Autumn has the moon.
Summer has cool breezes.
Winter has snow.
When your ordinary heart is unobscured, it is a season of celebration for all beings.

Chinese and Vietnamese

春有百花秋有月
夏有涼風冬有雪
若無閑事掛心頭
便是人間好時節

Xuân hữu bách hoa, thu hữu nguyệt,
giá hữu lương phong, đông hữu tuyết.
Nhược vô nhàn the quải tâm đầu,
tiện thị nhân gian hảo thời tiết.

Calligraphy

I wrote the poem using sumi ink on rice paper. The poem is written in the traditional way: in columns, top-down, right to left. It was wet mounted and framed by my calligraphy teacher, Shaomin Qian.