-
WHERE WISDOM CANNOT REACH 正法眼蔵 語十七
The wealthy man has an ornate cup, the working man a very simple one. The poor farmer, nurturing the tea plants, has no cup and all, but for each of them the tea is the same. What is it that you taste? A reflection on Case 57 of the Shobogenzo (Dogen’s True Dhama Eye) For…
-
RINZAI’S ENLIGHTENMENT 正法眼蔵 二十七
If you ask your question you will find an answer but ask another and the stick will respond each time. If you seek another teacher will you change the question or the answer, and does it matter. Take up the stick, who will you strike, your teacher or yourself, and is there any real difference?…
-
QUESTIONING THE BUDDHA 無門關 三十二
Sit in utter stillness, turn away from words, let non-words wash over you, and give them no hold. The shadow of the whip will dance toward you like a cloudless sky blue and not blue – take to hoof and gallop. A reflection on case 32 of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate) For Something Different, a…
-
SHUZAN’S SHIPPEI 無門關 四十三
Osho holds up a staff and cradles a small long haired dog. What do you call these, he asks the gathered assembly in both fact and reality? A chattering din brings the hall to silence, until the ghost of Joshu unfolds himself, strides to the zendo door, and while bowing, shouts MU! A reflection on…
-
ISAN’S I HAVE EXHAUSTED MYSELF 正法眼蔵 四十四
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. A reflection on case 44 of Dogen’s True Dharma Eye Koans
-
JOSHU INVESTIGATES AN OLD WOMAN 無門關 三十一
In searching for the path to the holy mountain you may ask directions of the old tea lady sitting still at its base and she may point but placing one foot ahead of the other stare closely at the tea leaves for they, too, know the Way. A reflection on Case 31 of the Mumonkan…
-
SEPPO’S PUNCTUALITY 鐵笛倒吹 二十六
You ask me how I know when to begin my sitting so it will be the right time. It is easy to watch the sun and stars for they clearly know. You ask what I do when the sky is black with impenetrable clouds, it is easy to watch the clouds. Water from the stream…
-
THE MIDDLE WAY
George Harrison said that if you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there, and on reflection it was obvious he was correct.. Today, rising from the cushion, the four vows recited, Buddha put back on his small altar, Harrison’s words echoed loudly for he understood in a moment what it…
-
KEMBO’S TRANSMIGRATION 鐵笛倒吹 六十七
Awakening in the morning when you first see the sun and the dew resting on the leaf which eye are you using. When you stare into the mirror through what eye do you see, and what eyes stare back at you. When you see the deer lying in the road which eye do you use.…
-
MOST WONDERFUL THING 鐵笛倒吹 六十語
Which is more beautiful, the fragile flower or the stone set in the road? And which is the uglier? The stone, washed in a stream may shine like a diamond, the flower picked soon withers to dust. Each contains beauty each contains ugliness. When you see this you may smile until you feel the blow…
-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
an old writer and his words 