On Crossing Without a Ferry (Han Shan)

Ignorance in a prior lifetime

Makes awakening less certain today

Whatever seems lacking in this life

Always stems from a prior life’s wrongs

And if you don’t strive to improve today

The next life will proceed as before

There’s no ferry boat waiting

On either shore of this vast expanse

Yet somehow we manage the hard crossing 

生前大愚痴

不为今日悟

今日如许贫

总是前生作

今生又不修

来生还如故

两岸各无船

渺渺难济渡