“The Ancient Adept Took to the Weeds for Six Years"
A Dōgen Verse Each Day of Rōhatsu to Commemorate Buddha's Enlightenment
“The ancient adept took to the weeds for six years,
During a long night, without realizing it, he merged with plum blossoms.
A balmy spring breeze circulated their fragrance.
The red-and-white flowered branches ever flourishing.” 1
1
Heine, Steven. Wisdom Within Words. Oxford University Press, 2022. (Verse 63, p. 122)