The World Is Not Dust

People of this world wrap themselves in chains
   For the sake of profit and gain,
Then talk of the world of dust, the sea of bitterness.
They do not know that
    Clouds are white, mountains blue.
    Rivers run, rocks stand tall.
    Blossoms invite, birds laugh.
    The valley responds, the woodcutters sing.
The world, after all, is not of dust;
The sea, after all, is not bitter.
It is only that, on their own, people put dust and
    bitterness in their hearts.

                                                     ---Hung Ying-ming---