「感悟妄缘，题如上人壁」白居易

自从为騃童，直至作衰翁。所好随年异，为忙终日同。

弄沙成佛塔，锵玉谒王宫。彼此皆儿戏，须臾即色空。

有营非了义，无著是真宗。兼恐勤修道，犹应在妄中。

REALIZING THE FUTILITY OF LIFE 

Written on the wall of a priest's cell, circa 828 

Ever since the time when I was a lusty boy 

Down till now when I am ill and old, 

The things I have cared for have been different at different times, 

But my being busy, that has never changed. 

Then on the shore, — building sand-pagodas ; 

Now, at Court, covered with tinkling jade. 

This and that, — equally childish games, 

Things whose substance passes in a moment of time! 

While the hands are busy, the heart cannot understand; 

When there are no Scriptures, then Doctrine is sound. 

Even should one zealously strive to learn the Way, 

That very striving will make one's error more.