Approach the master
sitting on his seat.
The fool will seek answers
having slept through the lesson
but the wise student will bow
silently and retreat
having learned all there is
and knowing absolutely nothing.
Koan
JOSHU ANSWERS
Yesterday a small dog, walking its master down the block stopped and stared
at you, as you stood on your porch. You stared back at the dog, eyes locked
on each other, while the master fidgeted on the sidewalk, afraid or too bored
to look at either of you. You realized this was just the dog’s way of teaching
his master patience, or perhaps of simply delaying you from what it was
that brought you to your porch that you forgot in engaging the dog. Eventually
the dog dragged its master on, and you returned to the house, having done
nothing but stare at a dog. It was clear in that moment that a dog must
have Buddha nature but yours was deeply in question.
A MOVING MIND 無門關 二十九
Do not be a foolish monk
stare up at the sky
is that could moving?
The leaves dance
on the morning breeze,
is the wind moving?
take a picture of the tree
a moment of time frozen
There is no motion
of the tree, none
of the wind
only the mind moves.
A reflection on Case 29 of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate Koans)
DAIZUI SEES A TURTLE 鐵笛倒吹 十七
If you see a turtle
does it seem odd
it wears bones outside?
Does the turtle
live within these bones
and where do you go
to hide from bright light..
If you place a sandal
on your head
which end will be walking?
A reflection on Case 17 of the Iron Flute Koans
BLIND SEARCH
She wants to know where to look
and thinks it must be either without or within,
she assumes a Christian looks outward,
a Buddhist within, and every other faith
either aligns with one or plumbs the middle.
She is searching for the answer
to the inevitable question, the question
that cannot be answered.
She asks where you find a teacher,
for teachers have answers.
I want to tell her there is no answer
and every answer is correct
and every answer is incorrect
and the only way to look is
to close your eyes, to stop looking
to stop seeking, and for once,
just once, to simply be.
She no doubt thinks me crazy
as she walks away continuing her search
for that which cannot be found.
because she is that and that
is everywhere and everything
she imagines she senses.
DRY CREEK 鐵笛倒吹 四十
When you are parched
and come upon a dry creek bed
will you assume there is water
flowing freely beneath
the soil and rocks, and how
will you drink it?
If you give up your thirst
your attachment to life
may wash downstream
and the bitter waters
may run both sweet and deep.
You may bathe in them
alongside old Joshu
without need for drinking.
A reflection on Case 40 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.
