By Ch'an Master Huang-Bei Tuan-Chi

Translated by Dharma Master Lok To

Edited by Dr. Frank G. French

Abandon all trouble in the world --

This is the most extraordinary act.

As in an opera, grasp the rope

Only to swing on, progressing further.

If you don't feel penetrating cold

To the bone at least once,

How can you ever come to smell

The warm fragrance of plum flowers?

Sutra Translation Committee of the United States and Canada, 1986