Muwa Gisun Section Five

discourse 31

Where have you come from?  Why are you all covered in mud?  What a pity – who made you dress in such a long coat?

It’s not my fault. Just now someone was riding by in the street – it was the splashing from the horse’s hooves when they came up alongside!

discourse 32

As the saying goes:  “In good times you never burn incense, but when disaster strikes you clasp the Buddha’s feet.”  This is especially talking about you. When you’re free, you take it easy and you don’t study at all.  Now, under pressure, you are “study, study, study,” asking this and seeking that.  But just think about it: Is this something you can possibly accomplish in one or two days?

discourse 33

Your white horse – what a beautiful animal!  There is not a bit of mixed hair on his whole body.  Because he’s shedding, [his coat] is especially lustrous and beautiful.  His canter and amble are both good, and his trotting is also calm.  He is a little old, though.

discourse 34

When I did mounted archery today, I totally lost interest.  The first time out, I couldn’t draw the bow.  The next time, the notch came loose.  The third time, I didn’t have time to whip [the horse].  Three times in a row, I couldn’t get a shot off.  What a waste of money.

discourse 35

You have got a lot.  I have little.  It’s not fair.  I want us to divide it again, drawing lots.

What are you saying?  We already divided it completely.  Is there a rule that says because you got the short end of the stick, we have to divide again?

discourse 36

[He] said he would come back after the 20th, so I took time off.  Now it’s the end of the month and he still has not come back.  Time is up!  Why does he make people worry?  Perhaps there is some problem that has come up.

discourse 37

You mustn’t provoke mean people.  Better to stay away.  After keeping company with him for a while, you will eventually regret it for sure.  Knowing this perfectly well, if you still follow him, you are asking for trouble [lit. will suffer yourself].

discourse 38

All tea, whatever kind, is good.  So long as it is already prepared, whatever it is, I will drink it.  Sir, this brother of yours has grown up.  He used to be naughty.  Now he is fairly well-behaved.  Have you discussed his getting married?  Not yet?

Yes, he has become betrothed this year. Just yesterday the betrothal gifts were sent.  When the New Year approaches, having sent the clothes and hairpins, we will see what is appropriate and do it.  This coming twelfth month will be auspicious for their marriage – how can we just let it pass?

discourse 39

Oh, my!  Our old friend will have a birthday tomorrow night.  Shouldn’t we bring some little present?

If you have a gift, you have one.  If you don’t, you don’t.  But it would be terrible if you were not to make it at all!

discourse 40

We just sent a servant, and left it that once each person has been made to report, they are done.  If [other] people are going, they should agree on one place and then go together.  Otherwise there is no order as to who goes first and who goes last.

Section Four