Declination to Throne (12)

1 Besieged between the state of Chen and Cai, Confucius and his disciples had not cooked for seven days. They only drank some soup of potherb to quench hungry. The disciples were in worst mood, appearing tiredness. Only Confucius looked relaxed as if nothing had happened, playing music and singing in his room.

2 The day, Yan Hui went out for picking potherb. On the way back, he saw Zilu and Zigong whispering beside the road about the mood of besieging. Seeing Yan Hui, they said to him, “Recently, our teacher had confronted setbacks one after another. He was banished by the State of Lu twice, retained in the State of Wei, insulted in the State of Song and was at a loss in Shang and Zhou. Now we are besieged here. If people always treat us like this, what our future will be?

3 When all of us were bewildered, shouldn’t our teacher do something helping us to get out of the trouble? However, you see, he takes it easy to play and sing in his room, disregarding us. As for our security, may be it is nothing, but for his reputation, it should matter. In such a setback, he still looks easy as if nothing has happened. Yan Hui, do you think that he is too shameless?”

4 Without reply, Yan Hui carried the basket and went back. He retailed what they said to Confucius. Signing, Confucius put down Qin (music instrument) and told Yan Hui, “You ask Zilu and Zigong to see me. I have something to tell them. The two muddleheaded kids have followed me for many years. Why do they not understand me?”

5 Zigong and Zilu came into Confucius’s room. With head drooping, Zigong stood cowardly, afraid of teacher’s condemning. Elder than Zigong, Zilu was honest, courageous and frank. Before Confucius spoke, he said directly, “Sir! Do you think that we have entered the end of our rope? I did complain in front of Yan Hui. However, it was to evaluate the situation for all of us, without any malice. Please don’t mind it.”

6 Cutting in on Zilu’s saying, Confucius said seriously, “What do you say? What’s the meaning of the end of rope? A man of virtue masters Tao, which is called accessibility; the man who doesn’t master it, which is called end. I seek for Tao in all my life, never diverging from the way of Tao. The only reason I can’t accomplish my goal is because of this disordered world. How can you say me at the end of rope?”

7 In examining my conscience, I clearly know that: I never breach or neglect Tao; even at stake, I never lose a little of confidence on Tao. Not like you, feeling panic so much in a petty frustration and intent deserting Tao to compromise with the worldly affair. You should learn the determination from the pine and cypress trees which stand upright among mountains even in the cold winter when all things withered.

8 Being besieged here may be it is a corner to you, but it is a very good time for me to show my practice. Why do I feel nervous?”

9 After saying, Confucius turned around and played Qin in calmness. Zilu originally had more respect and credit to Confucius than others; it was other disciples’ complaint made him lose his confidence. Now he listened to teacher’s explanation, so his bewilderedness was cleaned off at once. He could not help becoming ecstasy, flourishing and dancing with Confucius’s beat.

10 Feeling shameful, Zigong came out said to the other disciples who standing outside the room ready to see how their teacher blaming Zilu and Zigong, “Our self-cultivation are rather bad. It is rather shameful; we criticized our teacher irrationally and misunderstood him. You all go back to your rooms and do what is your course accordingly.

11 All they want is to catch Yanghu, but actually our teacher isn’t. So, the problem of besieging must be solved at last. All of you take ease. Don’t throw yourself into confusion and panic.”

12 The subjective conditions of all men of perfect practice are very sane and steady. There is no objective condition can’t affect them. Their mind of soundness, tranquility and peace are not depending on what the standard of living they have. Hence, disadvantage or advantage of the objective environment has no influence on their mind.

13 They know that the shift of advantage and disadvantage of the objective environment is like the four seasons’ alteration or the change of weather, they are inevitable to their life. In winter people have to wear more clothes while in summer they may wear a cap and enjoy air condition. They may watch TV at home when typhoon hits. When it rains, the outdoor tennis court is not available; they may find an indoor court to play tennis. As long as they don’t persist and keep flexible mind of no-self and being flexibility, disadvantage and advantage are mere trifles to them.

14 So, as you know, Xu You could entertain himself in the south of Yin River; Gongbo could lead a leisure and carefree life on Qiushou Moutain.

Tao Yuanming’s poem goes like this:

Variable are rise and fall, each other they alter.

Shao lived as melon farmer, same as Dongli Marquis.

Winter and summer shift, life is very like this.

Men of apperception know it well, they are sure not to suspect.

Toast with a cup of wine, wish to be joyful day and night.