If I ask you
“does a circle
have both inside
and outside,” what do you say.
If you cut it into
three pieces, which
has inside, which outside
and what of the third?
A reflection on Case 55 of the True Dharma Eye (Shobogenzo) Koans
Koan
GENSHA’S BLANK LETTER 正法眼蔵 四十八
If you wish to find the Way
follow the signs that read
“This Is Not the Path” or
at least some of them.
If you ask me directions
I will hand you a blank sheet
and ask you what
does it contain.
You may say it is void
and you would be correct,
or you may say it
is a thousand dharma texts
and you would be correct.
A reflection on Case 48 of The True Dharma Eye (Shobogenzo)
THE GIRL COMES OUT 無門關 四十二
She sits undisturbed
Shakyamuni by her side.
You can wave at her, she
will pay you no mind.
You cannot grasp her mind
and maintain a hold
on your own, you will grow
deaf from the chatter
but a child can curl
at her feet and she
will stroke his forehead
in perfect Samadhi.
A reflection on case 42 of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate) koans.
TWO MONKS ROLL UP THE BLINDS 無門關 二十六
Both are asked
to bring more light
into the hall.
Together each
rolls up his shade.
One’s action is gain
one’s action is loss
there is only one shade
there is only one light.
aA reflection on case 26 of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate) koans.
HOGEN’S DRIP OF WATER 鐵笛倒吹 九十一
What are words
of wisdom
from the mouth
of the ancient ones.
I tell you
these are such words.
You may accept
or reject them
as you will.
Better still, tear
this page from its binding
crumple it
and cast it
to the four winds.
Let it be carried
off in ten directions.
A reflection on case 91 of the Iron Flute Koans
DOGO’S GREATEST DEPTH 鐵笛倒吹 六十六
If you walk into the room
and many are meditating
how will you know which
is the teacher, which the students?
If one sits on a higher platform
will you assume him teacher
and ask the depth of his Zen.
If he comes down to you
and says he has no depth to offer
do not think him a fool.
When you sit at the bottom
of the ocean and look down
the water beneath you is shallow
but the surface of the sea
cannot be seen.
A reflection on Case 66 of the Iron Flute Koans
UTEKI ASKS BUDDHA 鐵笛倒吹 四十語
While out for a walk
on a sun filled Spring day
if you happen across the Buddha
how will you recognize him?
If you offer gassho
to Buddha surely
it will be returned, but
is it he or merely
your reflection off
the surface of a still pond?
Does this matter to you?
A reflection on case 45 of the Iron Flute Koans
Joshu’s Oak 無門關 三十七
Look out of the window
the garden is barren
of oaks, nor is this
a Temple in China.
If you listen carefully
a thousand branches
bend quietly in the wind,
a simple wave washing
oak leaves onto
expectant soil.
A reflection on case 37 of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate)
Fuketsu’s Speech and Silence 無門關 二十四
Inward but not outward
a broken stick
Outward but no inward
a broken stick
A partridge sings
in silence
flowers bloom
at midnight
Fuketsu smiles knowingly.
A reflection on case 24 of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate)
BROKEN TRAY 鐵笛倒吹 九十
If you accidentally break
a wise man’s possession
do you leave him
with one that is incomplete
or two awaiting completion.
If he asks you to replace it
you may search endlessly,
bring him a thousand replacements
but expect him to reject each one
as never being the same
as the original.
If you grow dejected, remember
he still has the original
in the cupboard.
A reflection on case 90 of the Iron Flute Koans
