Ofudesaki 05:043
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Contents
Content
| The origin may seem small, but the root is great. | moto naru wa chiisai yō de ne ga erai | もとなるハ ちいさいようふで ねがえらい |
| In all things, know the origin! | dono yo na koto mo moto o shiru nari | どのよな事も 元をしるなり |
Alternate English translations
Third Edition
The origin may look tiny. But the work of the root is great. So, on whatever kinds of things, it is necessary to know the origin.
Inoue/Eynon
In its origin, the root seems to be small, but it is strong. You should know the origin of everything.
Commentary
Ofudesaki chushaku
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This section contains translated material that has not yet been subjected to peer-review to check for accuracy and clarity. While the translator(s) have given their best effort to render Japanese text into English, we would like readers to keep in mind that the present translation may require further revising and refining. Any input to improve the present translation is greatly welcomed. Translator(s): Roy Forbes |
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5:43 Compared to the branches of a tree, the root is low. However, because the root is the most important part to the tree, the root must be exhaustively investigated first in order to know the branches.
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『おふでさき註釈』、p. 78 四三、木の根元が枝先に比べてかさびくいが、木にとっては最も大切なところであるから、枝葉の事を明らかにするには、何でも、先ずその根本を究めなければならぬ。
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Commentary by Yoshitaro Ueda (2009)
From Michi no dai: Foundation of the Path 35:54–5
These verses use the metaphor of a tree. The branches may appear big, high, and thriving, yet they are “weak,” or unreliable. Even if they look big and thriving, they are actually not dependable. They will “break when handled,” which is to say, they will break easily if force is applied to them. Verse 42 implies that the branches will suffer a decline in due course. They will not be dependable. In contrast, the root has great strength, although the origin seems small and inconspicuous at first glance. Thus contrasting the branches and the root, these verses say that what is important in all matters is to know the root. The branches can only exist because of the root. We tend to pay attention to branches that stand out by virtue of the blossoms and fruit, but it is more important to know the greatness and importance of the root, the origin, however unremarkable it may seem.
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