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A LITTLE DRUMMER
It seems less than fair that as a childI was Jewish to the core, adopted, yes,but certainly fully Jewish and not merelyby maternal lineage which would suffice. Christmas was alien to me then, evenwhen I left Judaism behind, a shadowthat would follow me closely intomy Buddhist practice and life. But DNA made a liar of…
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RINZAI’S REAL EYE 鐵笛倒吹 九十語
You say there area thousand waysof seeing this momentbut which is the real way?I respond there area thousand waysof seeing this momentbut which is the real way? You may take my place,you may lookthrough my eyes,but you will stillbe blindto this momentor that. A reflection on Case 95 of the Iron Flute Koans
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DIALOGUE
S: What are you doing, for heaven sake?H: Isn’t it obvious, I’m searchingfor Nirvana, for enlightenment.S: You silly fool, it’s right behind you!H: (turning suddenly) It is not,I would certainly see it.S: You might think so, butit…
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SHE
She surely should have known better. Selling sea shells by the sea shore is a short sighted career path. Anyone can pick up the shells on the seashore, selling shells is simply silly, and she should see that. But each day she sets up her stand, sets out the shells, and sits waiting to see…
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TAKING
You can take my sight,but my mind will still see what it must,and my fingers will become eyes.You can take my hearing,I will imagine what I must,and my eyes will become ears.You can take my tongue,but my body will shout what I must,and my hands will speak volumes.The only thing you cannot takeis my words,…
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JIZO’S BUDDHISM 鐵笛倒吹 四十八
In setting along the pathdo you follow Hofukucovering your eyes so asnot to see evil, ears so as not to hear itand close your mindto wandering ideasor is Jizo’s pathyours as well? With eyes shut tightthe mind will still see,with ears covered soundwill echo, growing louderwith no hope of escape.With open eyeslight is reflected, with…
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ANGELS
He says he cannot believe in angelsbecause he has never seen one.I do not believe in his sort of angels, but notfor lack of visual confirmation, ratherthat I live in a world that nowis so deeply in need, that an angelmight be our last, best hope, butthe scope of angelic miracles isnot likely wide enough…
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HIGH WIRE
It is a precarious balance, really, more an exercise in tottering and hearing than in standing still. Some prefer stasis, others, I included, find that leads inevitably to a loss of energy, to an entropy from which it is difficult to escape. I don’t walk along the edge of the precipice, but I do. peer…
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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.
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WHO WILL BE KING?
Tell me what you see, he says, and be as precise as possible. I suppose I see exactly what you see, we are looking at the same thing, at the same time, so how can it be any different for me then you? Are you seeing through my eyes? He smiles, for if so, I’d…
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an old writer and his words 