Wherever you are
you are there,
but if you
arrive there
and there is
no there,
despite you
being there,
where are you?
A Reflection on Case 72 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)
TOZAN’S NOT BUDDHA
Shobogenzo
SOZAN’S RAISING LIVESTOCK
In an open field
if I come upon
a wild ox
and place a yoke
on its neck.
Is it the yoke
or the ox
or is it I
that is tamed?
A reflection on Case 70 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)
FAMILIES USE IT DAILY
If I ask you a
where you are standing
what will you answer?
If I ask you
where I am standing
what will you answer?
If I ask you a
if we are standing
in the same place
and you answer yes
a blow from the stick,
if you answer no
a blow from the stick,
if you answer nothing
a blow from the stick.
A reflection on Case 69 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Charma Eye)
JOSHU’S WASH THE BOWL
In the early morning
welcome the sun,
as the day retreats
welcome the sun.
When you are walking
along the garden path
which foot is forward
and which foot
is behind?
A reflection on case 67 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo (True Dharma Eye)
GENSHA’S SEAMLESS STUPA
If you pet a dragon
does it become a cat?
If you make a cat roar
does it become a dragon?
How high
is over your head,
how deep
is beneath your feet.
Build it just so.
A reflection on Case 60 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)
HIMAGAN’S PITCHFORK
If you go in search
of the way, you
may come across a sage.
He will ask you
why you seek it.
If you answer,
he will strike
a deadly blow,
if you do not answer
he will strike
a deadly blow.
Grasp his arms
and carry him
with you.
A reflection on Case 73 of the Shobogenzo (True Dharma Eye) Koans
JOSHU ROTATES THE CANON
If you ask me
to grasp the Dharma
I will read each word
as I unroll the scroll,
but that is but a small part
of grasping it.
The rolling up,
the placing back,
the bow and the return
to my waiting cushion,
each is a reverent grasping.
A reflection on Case 74 of the Shobogenzo (True Dharma Eye) Koans
GANTO’S SIT STILL
How can I bring
three worlds together?
Sitting still,
deep in silence,
I can carry the mountain
to the shore,
where the sea,
land and sky
merge in perfect
harmony.
A reflection on case 75 of the Shobogenzo (True Dharma Eye) Koans
DISCLOSING IS NOT AS GOOD AS PRACTICE
To speak of hours of practice
is not as good as 10 minutes
engaged in practice.
So, too, an hour speech
on practice pales
with even a moment of silence.
But to be silent and also
not practice is to turn
your back on the path
and blind yourself
with your stick.
A reflection on Case 77 of the Shobogenzo (True Dharma Eye) Koans
ONE FLAVOR ZEN
How far must you wander
to taste the pure essence,
hear the pure note,
see deeply into beauty,
smell the first flower of spring,
touch another heart.
Will you grow tired
from standing still
in total silence
contemplating this?
A reflection on Case 65 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (Trud Dharma Eye)
an old writer and his words 