Kashyapa’s golden robe
take it up if you want.
It won’t fit at all well
Knock down the flagpole
or, if you want
just eat the flag.
A reflection on case 22 of the Mumonkan (The Gateless Gate)
Koan
RUYGE’S ULTIMATE STAGE 鐵笛倒吹 二十八
If you answer the question
I will ask you another
each more difficult.
If you enter a room
and catalog its contents
there will always be a door
leading to yet another room,
another inventory to be taken
to determine what is there
and what is missing.
It is only when you enter
an empty room,
that you will find all things.
A reflection on Case 28 of the Iron Flute Koans
ISAN’S TIME 鐵笛倒吹 十六
A cold day
how many other winters
can you remember,
how many future winters
can your mind grasp?
Can you hold yesterday
in the palm of your hand
can you wrap tomorrow
around your thumb?
Between the palms
in gassho
lies all life and being.
A reflection on case 16 of the Iron Flute Koans
ISAN’S GIFT 正法眼蔵 語十六
If someone has much,
give him little,
if someone has little,
give him much.
If you have much,
give much, but
if you have little,
give only little.
Little and much
are both the same
when given and received.
A reflection on Case 56 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo (The True Dharma Eye)
HYAKUJO’S SECOND VISIT 正法眼蔵 語十四
You may come asking questions,
and perhaps the teacher
will answer you with a discourse.
If you go deaf and hear nothing,
if the words flit
like so many mayflies
just as soon gone,
if no word finds purchase
you will have a grasp
the heart of the Dharma.
A reflection on Case 54 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo (The True Dharma Eye)
BANZAN’S A BETTER CUT
At the butcher
be careful what you ask
for if it is a better cut
the wise man with the knife
may slice off your hand
and present it to you
wrapped neatly in paper.
But will it be
your right
or your left?
A reflection onCase 21 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo (The True Dharma Eye)
TOZAN’S GOING BEYOND BUDDHA
The greatest speech
is given only
when the mouth
falls shut.
To talk of peace
is to be
at war with peace,
to speak of war
is to be at war.
When listening disappears
peace reemerges,
when peace emerges
the listener appears.
A reflection on Case 12 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo (The True Dharma Eye)
SEIJO’S SOUL 無門關 三十語
Open your mouth
and let your soul flee
on the dance of your departing breath.
Inhale slowly, let
a different soul
find purchase in your lungs.
Both souls are your soul,
neither soul is yours,
but is it the moon
or an obscuring cloud?
A reflection on case 35 of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate Koans)
JOSHU PLANS A VISIT 鐵笛倒吹 十九
If Joshu asks you
which is the true eye
will you climb to the top
of the mountain
in search for it?
There are a thousand mountains
where Manjushri may dwell
staring out at the world—
how will you know which one?
A cloud may
reflect your sight
simplifying all.
A reflection on case 19 of the Iron Flute Koans
GANTO’S MEAL 鐵笛倒吹 語十四
When you visit a teacher
inquire what he needs
and freely offer him a meal,
but ask nothing in return,
if you pester him
he will greet you
with a blow of the stick.
Come to him silently
with an open heart
and with empty hands
and the Dharma
will be transmitted.
A reflection on case 54 of the Iron Flute Koans
