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
Why do you climb the mountain
and seek entry
into the small cabin.
Why do you give up
your home in the valley.
You should be turned away
for if you seek
a higher understanding
you demonstrate to all
there is no depth
to your practice.
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.
Reflecting on Case 66 of the Iron Flute (Tetteki Tosui)
Open your eyes.
What do you see?
The sky
Close your eyes.
What do you see?
Nothing
Then open your eyes.
What do you see?
The sky
Close your eyes.
What do you see?
Nothing
Now open your eyes.
What do you see?
The sky
and a large hawk
Close your eyes.
What do you see?
Nothing
Open your eyes.
What do you see?
Nothing,
it is night
Close your eyes.
What do you see?
Deep into the universe.
