The following poem was written by Martin Tebbs during the Chan retreat with Master Sheng Yen at Maenllwyd in June 1995. The last line refers the woolly socks given to Shifu by two Polish students who attended the retreat (Eds.)
Today everything is different,
Everything the same.
How is it different?
In a cloudless sky the swallows glide
effortlessly, leaving no trace;
Young lambs call and call.
How is it the same?
Insects murmur among the sycamore flowers;
The master stands by the Chan hall door;
He is radiantly happy-
Even the Buddhas do not have such wonderful woollen socks!
