108. 登云台而望東海 Climbing Yun Tai and viewing the sea

登云台而望東海

己亥六十歲應結森寶林。邀赴丹陽修仙台觀。至句容。赤山法忍付茅蓬。庚子六十一歲。擬再朝五台。入終南修隱。先到楊州朝云台山。此山位于江蘇山東昆連處。高入云際。故名云台。

宣化偈曰：

東海名山古云台。無邊波浪入眼來。 煩惱眾生何時度。菩提佛果力培栽。

Climbing Yun T’ai1 and viewing the sea

In the sixteenth year, the Master responded to the invitation of Dharma Masters Chieh Shen (Luxuriant Accumulation) and Pao Lin (Jeweled Forest) to come to Tan Yang (Red Sun) and help renovate Hsien T’ai Kuan (Immortals’ Tower and Terrace) Temple. From there, he went to Chu Jung, where he used the hut of Dharma Master Fa Jen (Dharma Patience) of Ch’ih (Red) Mountain. When sixty-one years of age, the Master decided to make another pilgrimage to Wu T’ai (Five Peaks) Mountain, and then sequester himself on Chung Nan Mountain. He first went to Yang Chou to visit Yun T’ai (Cloud Terrace) Mountain, which lies on the border of Chiang Su and Shan Tung Provinces. Its height scales the clouds, which is why it was named Cloud Terrace.

The gatha says: The famous mountain on the Eastern Sea, is the ancient cloud terrace, Where boundless waves on the ocean are always on view. When will the myriad afflicted beings all be crossed over? They must steadily nourish Bodhi to attain the fruit of Buddhahood.

1: “Cloud Terrace”