“Carefree”: A line from the Morning Bell Chant (物物拈來無罣礙)

物物拈來無罣礙
물물염래무가애
mul mul yeom rae mu ga ae
everything moves freely and spontaneously without the slightest hindrance (very free english paraphrase)

物物拈來 are the first four characters of the poem “恣逍遥” by Wang Zhe (1112-1170).

物物拈來,般般打破。 (everything moves freely and spontaneously, the truth is constantly revealed)
惺惺用,玉匙金鎖。 (softly, softly, the jade key, the golden lock)
瀝瀝澄源,炎火焰火。 (step by step the source is made clear, the fire burns and burns)
盈盈處,上下倒顛換過。 (resting at ease in completeness, from top to bottom, falling, falling, changing, transcending)
妙妙神機,玄玄性果。 (the extremely subtle divine turning point, the profound mysterious nature, at last!)
清清做,靜中堪可。 (made completely clear, in silence it is just right)
現現虛空,靈靈真個,明明袞光,光瑩寶珠一顆。

The three characters of the title of Wang Zhe’s poem are found in “水龍吟” (“The Water Dragon Song”) by Liu Zhiyuan 劉志淵 (1186–1244):
颖悟安闲云水,恣逍遥、坦然无累
Enlightened and at ease with the clouds and water, free and unrestrained, without any burdens.

恣 means “to indulge, to be profligate”
逍 遥 means “to wander in a carefree manner”, or “free and unfettered”

text of Wang Zhe’s poem:
https://www.poetrynook.com/poem/%E6%81%A3%E9%80%8D%E9%81%A5-2
Useful information about Wang Zhe:
https://www.encyclopedia.com/environment/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/wang-zhe
The text of Liu Zhiyuan’s poem:
https://www.gushiju.net/ju/928417

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *