Rootless_Tree_100Verses#31・Enlarged image of the painting
Enlarged image of the poem below as Xieyi
Verse 31
▶Original Text
無根樹，花正紅，烈焰吞噬即成空。無悔無怨無所懼，自在行走任天命。
▶Modern Translation
A scarlet bloom flares on a rootless tree;
Devouring fire turns to emptiness at once.
No regret, no resentment, nothing to fear—
Freely it walks, entrusted to Heaven’s decree.
▶Interpretation
1.[無根樹，花正紅] – Crimson flower = fierce but fleeting passion.
2.[烈焰吞噬即成空] – Fire consumes, leaving only “void” (śūnyatā).
3.[無悔無怨無所懼] – Living without regret, grievance, or fear.
4.[自在行走任天命] – Roams at ease, aligned with the Dao and fate.
▶Interpretation related to Tai Chi
•Fajin flashes like a red flame, then vanishes to “emptiness.”
•Release power and instantly return to neutrality.
•Emotion-free focus = “no mind, no fear.”
•Follow the flow of present circumstances—adaptive spontaneity.
Copyright © MASAKI WAKABAYASHI. All rights reserved.
