Thorough Comprehension of Life (10)

1 Ziqing was a famous sculptor. His works all were vivid as if they were living.

2 Once he sculpted a tiger-shape musical instrument. The woody tiger was vivid and vigorous as if it was ready to jump up to bite. Everyone who saw it was frightened.

3 Duke Lu saw the work; he asked Ziqing, “How do you sculpt it?”

4 Ziqing replied, “I am a craftsman without much knowledge. I dare not boast that I have any special craft. However, it is true that in work I devote my mind to it without thinking others.

5 For example, when I decide to make the instrument, I must calm down to accumulate my energy and prepare well before working on it. My way is: Firstly, I fast for three days to make my heart empty, namely, remove my hunger for any material gain and the reward of it.

6 After this work is done, I fast for another five days to remove the mind of gain and loss. I don’t consider others remarks on my works, despite criticism or praise.

7 After the procedure, I fast again for seven days. In these days, I try my utmost to put aside my consciousness, remove my prejudice and have self-nature, Buddha-nature, Qi, calmness and refinement to dominate my limbs. When my mind and body reach this level, I go to the forest to choose the suitable stuff.

8 After I find the right log, a vivid tiger-shape musical instrument occurs to my eyes. Then I start to sculpt; it actually, does not take much time the work is accomplished.

9 I deem that my work is accomplished by the great wisdom, such as self-nature, Buddha-nature, Qi, calmness and refinement, according to the natural instincts. All works sculpted under this rules are vivid from an uncanny workmanship. This is somewhat like the man of perfect practice. He has no-learning medical skill. In the treatment, he just hits patient’s apertures under the guidance of Qi. His consciousness in this time is to have no regard to the process of curing.