mute en ale li wan

Sandokai

The Harmony of Difference and Equality

The Sandokai is an ancient poem written by 8th century Chinese Zen master Sekito Kisen. It is a key text for the Soto Zen tradition, and is chanted daily in Zen temples around the world. This is my attempt to translate the text into toki pona, using a translation from the International Zen Association.

Note: This translation is still in progress, and is quite challenging due to the poetic nature of the text.

lawa pi jan sewi Tatakata li kama pona tan nasin pi open suno e nasin pi pini suno.

ijo jan li pona li ike. nasin li kama ala tan ma wan li kama ala tan ma tu.

mama sewi li suno lon suno. nasin mute li tawa lon pimeja.

wile li ike lon. sama li ala sewi kin.

ijo ale pi pilin jan li luka li luka ala.

luka li kama e pali. luka ala la, ijo li tawa ala.

lukin li mute li sama ala. kalama li ken e pona e ike.

toki pona en toki ike li wan lon pimeja.

toki pona en toki ike li ante lon suno.