Have you been here –
who will know?
The sun and moon
record your journey.
What you release
gathers joyously around you,
what you cling to
flies off on the slightest breeze,
mountain and cloud
enfold each other.
Will you join them?
Koan
TAISHU’S DREAM 鐵笛倒吹 三十
In your dream
you set out along your path
passing countless monks
each of who offered gassho.
On awakening you asked
to be pointed to the Way.
Why didn’t you ask
the dream monks
and why do you assume
that was the dream
and this is awakening?
A reflection on Case 30 of the Iron Flute Koans
TOZAN’S NO GRASS
As the seasons change
I will stand
with one foot
on the highest peak
and the other
at the bottom
of the deepest sea.
But do not ask
that I stand
in a place where
there is no Buddha,
or my feet and legs
shall fall away
into the void.
A reflection on Case 68 of the Shobogenzo (Dogen’s True Dharma Eye) Koans
ROSO FACES THE WALL
Come before the Master.
If he turns from you
and faces the wall
he honors you.
If the Master enters your room
and you turn to the wall
you will deserve his stick.
As you cannot sit
in the Master’s seat
he may not sit in yours,
but all seats are one seat,
no wall is all walls
and neither of you
should give a damn.
A reflection on Case 56 of the Iron Flute Koans
GYOZAN’S OBJECTS
If a thousand objects
are arrayed before you
what will you do,
what do you call them?
A sphere has no edges,
I can reach through a cloud.
Why would I try
to cut a moment in two,
or stuff a cloud in my pocket.
A reflection on Case 27 of the Iron Flute Koans
KEGON RETURNS TO DELUSIONS 鐵笛倒吹 語十二
If a gentle flower
falls from its branch
do you mourn its departure.
The fool attempts
to place it back in the tree,
the wise one waits
for another flower to appear.
Each is the same flower
but how will the fool
become wise.
A reflection on case 52 of the Iron Flute Koans.
SEKISO’S NOTHING IS CONCEALED 正法眼蔵 語十八
When you look in the mirror
are you real, is your reflection real?
Be careful what you say,
for if I look into that mirror
and see you, is the you I see
anything other than real?
When you go through the gate
you say “I am exiting”.
When I follow you through the gate
I say “I am entering”.
Are we both liars?
