愚之愚
[Most] Foolish [Of The] Foolish
世人以不识字、不解事为愚，
Common people consider [those] illiterate, [who do] not understand matters as foolish.
此诚愚也，非愚之愚也。
These indeed [are] foolish, [but] not [the most] foolish of [the] foolish.
读尽五车书，无字不晓；
[There are those who had] studied completely five carriages [of] books, with [no] words not understood;
收尽万般巧，无事不能；
[who] gathered completely ten thousand kinds [of] skills, with [no] matter not able [to be done];
乃至谈玄说禅，靡不通贯。
and even [when] discussing [on the] profound [and] speaking [of] Chán, [with] none not known through and through.
而究其真实处，颠倒迷惑，
Yet [when] examining their truths’ aspects, [they are] inverted [and] confused.
反见笑于向之所谓愚者，
Instead, [they are] mocked at, [by] those earlier so-called foolish [ones].
非愚中之愚而何？
[If they are] not [of the] foolish within, [the most] foolish, then who [are they]?
[Note: Those unable to read or understand profound knowledge are not necessarily the most foolish, as they can still realise essential truths practically with sincere and diligent practice, such as by being mindful of Buddha’s name, to be liberated from rebirth in this lifetime via reaching Pure Land. This is while those with only much theoretical knowledge and worldly skills, who imagine themselves to already be wise are the truly foolish ones.]
净土宗八祖莲池大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 8th Patriarch Great Master Liánchí
《竹窗随笔》
Essays Written [By The] Bamboo Window
Namo Amituofo : Translation & note by Shen Shi’an
