I know you have
a single question for which
an answer will enlighten you.
Neither Baso, Chizo nor Kai
are here so you are asking me.
The answer is simple:
cover your ears tightly
and listen while I speak
with closed mouth,
watch my feet dance
in joy as they do not move.
If the answer is not apparent,
ask Chizo, Baso and Kai
to speak from beyond the grave.
A reflection on case 6 of the Book of Equanimity Koans
How long have you wandered
always searching for the one
answer, the hidden truth
that, when revealed to you,
will show you enlightenment?
Where have you searched
for this one truth, one
that will collapse the past,
present and future into
a single moment of pure
presence which you can grasp
and carry with you through life?
Stop and ask the infant
strapped to his mother’s chest,
for he has the answer
and his silence will speak
of it if only you will listen.
A reflection on case 5 of the Book of Equanimity Koans
As you wander around
looking for a place
to build a temple,
looking for eden,
looking for nirvana,
stop and simply sit,
listen to the breeze
teaching you the Dharma,
the clouds chanting
the sutras in a harmony
beyond your hearing.
Look down for you
are in your temple,
sitting in eden
nirvana at your feet.
A reflection on case 4 of the Book of Equanimity Koans
Do not ask me
to recite the Dharma
When I am breathing
there is only breath in
and breath out.
Be like the poor man
lost and wandering
going nowhere, each
breath the only breath.
Having nothing, simply
being.
A reflection on case 3 of the Book of Equanimity Koans
When you are asked
to climb to the top
of the mountain and look
in all directions
and report who you see,
if you see no one, how
will you respond?
Close your eyes
and tell me,
am I still here?
A reflection on case 49 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)
Describe this moment
without use of word or sound –
see where you are
with eyes pressed tightly closed,
hear a song with utter silence,
taste the pure mountain air
reach out and touch
that which has no shape
or form, no essence
and you sit
in the middle
of reality.
A reflection on case 45 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)
Snakes, like coins,
have both head and tail.
If I cut a snake in two,
have I two snakes,
or none at all?
Walk carefully
for the spade
that cuts the snake
can dig an inescapable abyss.
A reflection on case 43 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)
If you ask when
is the best time
to seek wisdom I
will tell you
at the stroke of midnight
and I will walk
on a lighter left foot.
If you ask the next day
when is the best time
to seek wisdom
I will tell you
at highest noon
and I will walk
on a lighter right foot.
A reflection on Case 39 of Dogen’s Shoboganzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)
The wise one delivers
most knowledge
without opening his mouth.
The sagacious student
does not hide the wisdom
he inherits but offers it
in utter silence.
What is it
you wished to say
for I am ready
not to listen.
A reflection on Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans Case 34 (True Dharma Eye)
The wisest of men,
when asked at what time
it is best to pursue the Way,
will answer when a thousand stars
have made their presence known.
The wisest student will say
when cleaning myself
by bathing in the mud.
This will become clear
when the frog
consumes the dragon.
A reflection on Case 35 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)
an old writer and his words 