One lamp can clear a thousand years of darkness.

What it means

Darkness has no weight; it does not take a thousand years to undo. One flash of understanding ends long confusion. It is never too late for the light to come on.

The source

"One lamp can clear a thousand years of darkness." Huineng said it in Platform Sutra (Zongbao edition), on the reward body. Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.

"譬如一灯能除千年暗，一智能灭万年愚。"

Original Chinese, Platform Sutra (Zongbao edition), on the reward body. Text read at zh.wikisource.org.

Who said it

The Zen masters (6th–13th century). Bodhidharma, Huineng, Linji, Zhaozhou, Yunmen, Wumen and Dogen: the Chan and Zen teachers whose sayings, koans and records shaped the school of sudden awakening. Our lines are translated from the Chinese and Japanese originals.

Questions

What does "One lamp can clear a thousand years of darkness." mean?

Darkness has no weight; it does not take a thousand years to undo. One flash of understanding ends long confusion. It is never too late for the light to come on.

Who said "One lamp can clear a thousand years of darkness."?

Huineng (6th–13th century). Source: Platform Sutra (Zongbao edition), on the reward body.

What is the original Chinese?

譬如一灯能除千年暗，一智能灭万年愚。. Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.

Is "One lamp can clear a thousand years of darkness." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"One lamp can clear a thousand years of darkness." (Huineng, Platform Sutra (Zongbao edition), on the reward body, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/one-lamp-can-clear-a-thousand-years-of