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.
Koan
GYOZAN SITS
To a parched man
sitting along the roadside
a picture of the ocean
will provide him nothing
to quench his thirst
and even if he jumps in
the salt will lead
to his imminent death.
But give him
the idea of a pond
fed by a pure stream
and he will be
a content salmon
swimming upstream.
A reflection on Case 86 of the Iron Flute Koans.
DAIJI’S INNER CULTURE
Eyes can look within
and discover a boundless universe
but the tongue alone
can speak only sounds
that go false
as they dance away unseen.
The silence of zazen
speaks the dharma,
the teisho is offered mutely.
The space between
eye and tongue
is but three inches
or an unbridgeable void.
A reflection on Case 15 of the Iron Flute Koans.
SOZAN’S FOUR DON’TS 鐵笛倒吹 九十二
You may seek to follow
the path of the dove
a fool know many roads.
You may wrap yourself
in fine linen, an infant
wears only his skin
and knows this moment
is already gone.
Think long before you speak
of how to walk
along the path, of where it leads.
The baby says nothing,
will not speak of where
he has been,
where he is going, for to him
there is only here,
and silence
is descriptive enough.
A reflection on case 92 of the Iron Flute Koans
MISTAKE IN SPEAKING 無門關 三十九
When you speak the words
of the Buddha you are lost.
Light is everywhere in silence
but the tongue must hide
in the dark of the mouth.
Buddha’s words are flowers
unfolding in the dawn
by the side of the still pond,
the eyes hear the song
and respond in silent chorus.
A reflection on case 39 of the Mumonkan (The Gateless Gate)
KYOSEI’S THIRTY BLOWS 正法眼蔵 四十二
Wherever you stand still
you can see the rainbow
but walk to find its end
this one or that one
and it will be gone
on your arrival.
Sit in the fine mist
and look at the earth –
how many colors
do you see?
A reflection on case 42 of the Shobogenzo (Dogen’s True Dharma Eye)
BASHO DOES NOT TEACH 鐵笛倒吹 八十
There is a woman
who asks no questions,
who fears neither birth nor death.
What can you teach her?
The wise man offers no lesson
but observes closely
and gains great wisdom.
What can you teach
one who already knows.
What can you learn
with a fully open mind.
In a clockless world
there is no time.
