Bring me your mind
but leave the body behind,
this is what you must do
to attain enlightenment.
You may sit where you are
in total silence, or
you may come over here
and sit quietly at my feet.
Both paths lead
deeply into the way.
A reflection on Case 64 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)
You are a searcher, you
look for answers, you look
for the right path
that will lead you
to enlightenment.
You see everything
as black or white, good
or bad, right or wrong.
You are a master
at division.
Stop searching, stop
seeking answers, stop
dividing, then sit
with Nansen’s cat.
That will be enough.
A reflection on case 8 of the Book of Equanimity
When you come
into this town
we know you are coming,
when you enter
this room we
know you will arrive.
It is only when
we cannot discern
your presence
that your spirit
has truly arrived.
Contemplate this
over a bowl of rice
shared with mountain
and wind.
A reflection on Case 18 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)
If you see the Buddha
you have certainly gone blind,
if you hear his words
you demonstrate your deafness.
Nansen will grow old,
hearing and vision will fade
and he will sit and shout
in a sun warmed rain.
A reflection on Case 34 of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate) Koans
Thirty blows of the stick
if right, thirty blows
if wrong, or Namsen’s sword
and a severed cat
a half to each
a whole to none
Be thankful you
didn’t argue about a man
for with a shoe
on the head, your feet
may touch the sky.
A reflection on Case 14 of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate Koans)
Her greeting
is met with silence.
His greeting
is met with silence.
Your touch
is met with greeting.
You want to fly,
curse the Earth
for holding you,
while it is your mind
that is your
only anchor.
A reflection on case 87 of the Shobogenzo, Dogen’s True Dharma Eye Koans
Why seek the way?
Would yo?.
Where is the way?
You are standing on it
Which way does it lead?
Ask your feet.
If you come before Master Nansen
will you come holding the posture
of a monk or a lay person
and when Nansen turns you away
how will you exit the room?
Nested hands
and gassho hands
both are so easily manacled,
why leave the room at all?
If you have fine china
you will be saddened when it breaks.
If your pantry is full
your anxiety grows
as the food diminishes.
But if you are alone
with nothing, the apple
that falls on the road
is a feast, and the stream
runs free with the finest wine.
The silence of sun and moon
is an orchestra.
If you come before Master Nansen,
will you come holding the posture
of a monk or a lay person,
and when Nansen turns you away,
how will you exit the room?
Nested hands
and gassho hands –
both are so easily manacled –
why leave the room at all?
A reflection on case 44 of the Iron Flute (Tetteki tōsui 鐵笛倒吹)
an old writer and his words 