-
BETWEEN
Between now and then, between yesterday and today, between night and day, between birth and death, between good and evil, between heaven and hell, between light and dark, between joy and sadness, our lives occur and we are so seldom there to see it happen, lost in dreams of what never will be.
-
SANSHU’S BLINDNESS 正法眼蔵 四十
If you come forward and ask no question, the master will give you an answer, but if you approach with a question, the master will strike you with the stick. It is only when your eyes are blinded that you can take up the master’s staff and all is clearly seen.
-
ZAZEN
It does nothing, sits there, immobile and this deeply frustrates you. Things are not supposed to be absolutely still, some motion, however small is required. You stare at it, hoping it will move, will shake or lift, or even settle lower but it does nothing. You sit and stare in growing anger absolutely still doing…
-
HUANG PO’S GOBBLERS OF DREGS
The old monk, leaning on his cane smiled at the man prostrating himself before the great Buddha repeatedly. The monk gently interrupted the man, “what is it you hope to achieve by all of these prostrations, you clearly are seeking something, you clearly have not found what you are seeking.” “I am seeking the wisdom…
-
QUARTET (HAIKU)
pond’s surface ripples each following another stone hidden from sight the old monk listens to the song of the passing breeze stars sing the refrain Buddha walks the road ignoring all around him each finds a teacher a circular path will take you nowhere quickly again and again
-
PACIFYING THE MIND OF THE SECOND PATRIARCH
Sitting on the cushion staring at the wall yet again, the wall seems familiar, as if you should know it, the paint, the fleck of something embedded in the paint. Still you search for something beyond the wall, hidden by the paint, but you find nothing, always nothing. Does this nothing finding frustrate you? Are…
-
TS’UI YEN’S EYEBROWS
The question is a simple one, really, but not one you were expecting, which is why you sit and grapple for an answer. Ask yourself, what if no answer is needed, what if there is no answer, can you remain silent, or will you feel somehow incomplete if you do not respond? All answers are…
-
PURE DHARMA BODY 正法眼蔵 二十六
Standing at the foot of the mountain what side do you see. Standing atop the mountain what side to you not see. Close your eyes and you will see the mountain has no sides. Close your eyes and you will find there is no mountain. A reflection on case 36 of the Dogen’s Shobogenzo
-
CHU TI’S ONE-FINGER CH’AN
When you believe you have found your teacher, ask him a question. If he gives you an answer, be certain that he is not your teacher. But if he holds up just a single finger, will you pause in false anticipation, or do you gaze at his raised finger and carefully consider the answer. A…
-
HSIANG LIN’S MEANING OF THE COMING FROM THE WEST
You are certain the key is to sit, for that is what your teacher has told you, that is the practice set out for you. When you feel you have not attained your goal on the path, you assume it is because you have not sat still enough, long enough, deeply enough. A wise sage…
-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
an old writer and his words 