Joshu’s single question
asked twice the same
two answers, two
raised fists
each time the same
Joshu responds to each fist
each response different
each the same
a single light
both seen and unseen
both blessed curse
and cursed blessing.
Koan
SEPPO’S SANCTITY 鐵笛倒吹 三十七
You claim to seek sanctity –
will you know it
if you find it along the way?
What if it sneaks up on you
when you are lost in reverie,
what if it reaches you
in a strike of the teacher’s stick,
will you jump in fear
and frighten it away,
or sit with it
in endless zazen?
A reflection on case 37 of the Iron Flute Koans
SANSHU’S BLINDNESS 正法眼蔵 四十
If you come forward
and ask no question
the master will
give you an answer,
but if you approach
with a question,
the master will
strike you with the stick.
It is only when
your eyes are blinded
that you can take up
the master’s staff
and all is clearly seen.
NO MIND, NO BUDDHA 無門關 三十三
Baso knows well
only the ox truly understands the yoke
but if you offer it
the ox will not accept.
Why would you seek
to become the ox
as it would be better
to burn the yoke.
A reflection on Case 33 of the Mumonkan (The Gateless Gate Koans)
NANSEN’S ORDINARY MIND 無門關 十九
Why seek the way?
Would yo?.
Where is the way?
You are standing on it
Which way does it lead?
Ask your feet.
A reflection on case 19 of the Mumonkan (The Gateless Gate Koans)
RISHO’S POEM 鐵笛倒吹 三十語
Have you been here –
who will know?
The sun and moon
record your journey.
What you release
gathers joyously around you,
what you cling to
flies off on the slightest breeze,
mountain and cloud
enfold each other.
Will you join them?
A reflection on case 35 of the Iron Flute Koans
TAISHU’S DREAM 鐵笛倒吹 三十
In your dream
you set out along your path
passing countless monks
each of who offered gassho.
On awakening you asked
to be pointed to the Way.
Why didn’t you ask
the dream monks
and why do you assume
that was the dream
and this is awakening?
