You want something. Tell me what it is. Don’t hedge, be open and honest. I may not give it to you. I may not have it to give. I may have it and give it freely. I may have and not want to part with it. I may not have, can get it and give it. Or not. You will not know until you ask for it. I may seek a reason you want it. I may not care. I may seek a reason while not caring. That is my prerogative. I don’t expect you to like that. I may or may not care whether you like it or not. But first you must tell me what it is. I will not guess but I will wait. I am very patient. Or perhaps I am not and you have already missed your opportunity. Life is difficult. You didn’t ask for it to be.
give
ISAN’S GIFT 正法眼蔵 語十六
If someone has much,
give him little,
if someone has little,
give him much.
If you have much,
give much, but
if you have little,
give only little.
Little and much
are both the same
when given and received.
A reflection on Case 56 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo (The True Dharma Eye)
ISAN’S GIFT 正法眼蔵 語十六
If someone has much,
give him little,
if someone has little,
give him much.
If you have much,
give much, but
if you have little,
give only little.
Little and much
are both the same
when given and received.
A reflection on Case 56 of the Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)
JIASHAN SEES THE FERRYMAN
You offer to me
that which I cannot take,
I refuse to give you
the one thing you can accept.
We each have nothing
and give nothing,
and are happy
for the perfect gift.
A musing on Case 90 of the Shobogenzo (Dogen’s True Dharma Eye)