If you must
follow the Way, you
may read the Dharma
for hours on end
or you may brew
a pot of tea
for your teacher, or
bring your student
a towel and basin.
Which two steps
along the way
will you take?
A reflection on Case 61 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)
You may ask
about the true nature
of Buddha nature,
but who can you ask.
If you should meet
the Buddha
in a coffee shop,
perhaps you should ask
if the Buddha
has dog nature
A reflection on case 115 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo (True Dharma Eye) Koans
If you fall, 20,000 arms
will lift you up,
when you sit
10,000 join the Sangha.
If you walk barefoot
in the snow
I will put socks
on my feet for you.
If you hunger, I
will give you an empty bowl
and this will be
our shared dharma.
A reflection on Case 47 of the Shobogenzo (Dogen’s True Dharma Eye)
A cold day
how many other winters
can you remember,
how many future winters
can your mind grasp?
Can you hold yesterday
in the palm of your hand
can you wrap tomorrow
around your thumb?
Between the palms
in gassho
lies all life and being.
A reflection on case 16 of the Iron Flute Koans
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)
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.
When the master
calls for a novice
do you answer?
When the inkin
bell is struck
do you begin
or end zazen?
As you follow your breath
when do you leave
your body, and who
returns when you next inhale?
Search instead
for an answer
that has no question.
Who is the novice now?
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.
Gather each single leaf
from the stones of the garden
and place it neatly in a bushel.
It will take weeks or months
to gather them all
even if you have windless days,
but this is important work.
When the last leaf is gathered
take up the bushel
and throw the leaves
into the garden,
this is important work.
If you tie a gold ribbon
carefully around your neck
it is nonetheless a leash.
A reflection on case 29 of the Iron Flute (Tetteki Tōsui)
A cold day —
how many other winters
can you remember,
how many future winters
can your mind grasp?
Can you hold yesterday
in the palm of your hand
can you wrap tomorrow
around your thumb?
Between the palms
in gassho
lies all life and being.
A reflection on case 10 of the Iron Flute.
an old writer and his words 