Sekito Kisen's Sandokai

The next project of the "Old Street" study group will be Sandokai, a famous Zen poem by the Chinese Master Shitou Xiqian (Japanese Sekito Kisen). The Sandokai is one of the most prominent scriptures of the Soto School and is chanted in temples every second day. It is famous for its deep insight into the nature of things. As a starting point, I am providing the Chinese original (yes, although it seems daunting, I believe it is important to look at what Shitou actually wrote in his own words), the Japanese version in Latin writing and an English translation. I have picked up the Chinese original from this website: http://www.worldofmastermind.com/?p=4709. The Japanese and English translations are from the official book of scriptures from the Soto School: Sotoshu Shumucho. (2001). Soto School Scriptures for Daily Services and Practice. Tokyo: Sotoshu Shumucho.

Title: 參同契 - Sandokai - Harmony of Difference and Equality

Verse no.	Chinese	Japanese (chanted version)	English
1	竺土大仙心，	Chikudo daisen no shin	The mind of the great sage of India
2	東西密相付，	tōzai mitsu ni aifu su.	is intimately transmitted from West  to East.
3	人根有利鈍，	Ninkon ni ridon ari,	While human faculties are sharp or dull
4	道無南北祖。	dō ni nanboku no so nashi.	the way has no northern or southern ancestors.
5	靈源明皎潔，	Reigen myō ni kō kettari;	The spiritual source shines clear in the light;
6	支派暗流注。	shiha an ni ruchū su.	the branching streams flow on in the dark.
7	執事元是迷，	Ji o shū suru mo moto kore  mayoi;	Grasping at things is surely delusion;
8	契理亦非悟。	ri ni kanō mo mata satori ni arazu.	according with sameness is still not enlightenment.
9	門門一切境，	Mon mon issai no kyō	All the objects of the senses
10	迴互不迴互。	ego to fu ego to.	transpose and do not transpose.
11	迴而更相涉，	Eshite sarani ai wataru;	Transposing, they are linked together;
12	不爾依位住。	shikarazareba kurai ni yotte jū su.	not transposing, each keeps its place.
13	色本殊質象，	Shiki moto shitsu zō o kotoni shi;	Sights vary in quality and form;
14	聲元異樂苦。	shō moto rakku o koto ni su.	sounds differ as pleasing or harsh.
15	暗合上中言，	An wa jōchū no koto ni kanai;	Darkness merges refined and common words;
16	明明清濁句。	mei wa seidaku no ku o wakasu.	brightness distinguishes clear and murky phrases.
17	四大性自復，	Shidai no shō onozukara fukusu,	The four elements return to their natures,
18	如子得其母，	kono sono haha o uru ga gotoshi.	just as a child turns to its mother.
19	火熱風動搖，	Hi was nesshi, kaze wa dōyō,	Fire heats, wind moves,
20	水溼地堅固。	mizu wa uruoi, chi wa kengo.	water wets, earth is solid.
21	眼色耳音聲，	Manako wa iro, mimi wa onjō,	Eye and sights, ear and sounds,
22	鼻香舌鹹醋，	hana wa ka, shita wa kanso.	nose and smells, tongue and tastes;
23	然依一一法，	Shikamo ichi ichi no hō ni oite,	thus for each and every thing,
24	依根葉分布。	ne ni yotte habunpu su.	according to the roots, the leaves spread forth.
25	本末須歸宗，	Honmatsu subekaraku shū ni kisubeshi;	Trunk and branches share the essence;
26	尊卑用其語。	sonpi sono go o mochiyu.	revered and common, each has its speech.
27	當明中有暗，	Meichū ni atatte an ari,	In the light there is darkness,
28	勿以暗相遇。	ansō o motte ō koto nakare.	but don't take it as darkness.
29	當暗中有明，	Anchū ni atatte mei ari,	In the dark there is light,
30	勿以明相睹。	meisō o motte miru koto nakare.	but don't see it as light.
31	明暗各相對，	Meian ono ono aitai shite	Light and dark oppose one another
32	比如前後步。	hisuru ni zengo no ayumi no gotoshi.	like the front and back foot in walking.
33	萬物自有功，	Banmotsu onozukara kō ari,	Each of the myriad things has its merit,
34	當言用及處。	masani yō to sho to o iu beshi.	expressed according to function and place.
35	事存函蓋合，	Jison sureba kangai gasshi;	Existing phenomenally like box and cover joining;
36	理應箭鋒拄。	riōzureba senpō sasō.	according with principle like arrow points meeting.
37	承言須會宗，	Koto o ukete was subekaraku shū o e subeshi;	Hearing the words, understand the meaning;
38	勿自立規矩。	mizukara kiku o rissuru koto nakare.	don't establish standards of your own.
39	觸目不會道，	Sokumoku dō o e szunba,	Not understanding the way before your eyes,
40	運足焉知路。	ashi o hakobu mo izukunzo michi o shiran.	how do you know the path you walk?
41	進步非近遠，	Ayumi o susumureba gonnon ni arazu,	Walking forward is not a matter of far or near,
42	迷隔山河固。	mayōte senga no ko o hedatsu.	but if you are confused, mountains and rivers block your way.
43	謹白參玄人，	Tsutsushinde san gen no hito ni mōsu,	I respectfully urge you who study the mystery,
44	光陰莫虛度。	kōin munashiku wataru koto nakare.	don't pass your days and nights in vain.

Sources

The following list holds the references for all entries belonging to the series on the Sandokai:

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Diener, M. S., Erhard, F., Fischer-Schreiber, I., Friedrichs, K. (1989). The Rider Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion. Buddhism. Taoism. Zen. Hinduism. London: Rider.

Dumoulin, Heinrich. (2005). Zen Buddhism: A History. Volume 1: India and China. Bloomington, Indiana: World Wisdom.

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Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research. PDF. Available at https://www.bdk.or.jp/document/dgtl-dl/dBET_T0262_LotusSutra_2007.pdf

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