Yesterday, was the full harvest moon and also the mid-Autumn festival (the 15th day of the 8th lunar month) celebrated by Chinese people all over the world. For this festival, the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa published a new calligraphy artwork in red and black with the chinese symbols Píng’ān (平安) which means ‘be safe and sound’, be quiet, peaceful and safe.
Accompanying the artwork was a poetic and philosophical message from the 17th Karmapa in Chinese (see original script below). As I thought many of the 17th Karmapa’s followers would want to know the meaning, I have translated it into English with the help of a native Chinese speaker.
“The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional Chinese festival celebration, and countless times, many poets and Chan masters have written many beautiful praises.
If we observe them, the crescent moon and full moon have different symbolism, as when the moon’s reflection on the clouds and the pure bright reflection also have different kinds of beauty. When the moon is bright it will reflect on the river, and both the moon and its reflection are equally clear.
When we lift up our heads and look at the moon, sometimes it is round, sometimes it is not round, they are only different in appearance but its nature is cool and pure.
Time flows like water, and conditions are always changing. When winter arrives, we live in a warm place. So if we use our wisdom to observe it, we will definitely appreciate its beauty. As an ancient saying goes:
“The moon keeps changing its brightness and shape, like a gathering and a parting of friends and loved ones. Is there any difference?”
Here, I wish everyone be like the mid-autumn moon, cool and clear. May all be auspicious! By 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje on Mid-Autumn Festival 2023.”
Music? Upwards to the Moon (instrumental) by Zi De Guqin Studio, Silent Moon by Jia Peng Fang, The Moon Represents my Heart (月亮代表我的心 ) by Teresa Teng, Blue Moon by Billie Holiday, Safe and Sound by Capital Cities.
With that beautiful message and music, wishing you all a safe, peaceful and sound mid-Autumn festival and may the 17th Karmapa himself be safe and sound wherever he is right now.
Chinese original by 17th Karmapa
中秋乃華人傳統佳節，而月亮自古以來更是無數詩人歌詠、禪師取譬的對象。若我們細心品鑒便不難發現，弦月、滿月，各有其象徵的寓意；雲影掩映、明亮皎潔，另有別樣的姿態之美。 詩中有云：「素月分輝，明河共影，表裡俱澄澈。」抬頭仰望，皓月當空，有圓有缺，乃差別顯相，本質清淨澄然；光陰如水，機緣變化，寒來暑往，若智慧觀待，便可盡賞其美。常言道月之陰晴圓缺，人之悲歡離合，何異之有？ 在此祝福大家萬事皆如中秋之月，清涼澄澈，吉祥圓滿！ 第十七世大寶法王鄔金欽列多杰 二〇二三年中秋