If you sit
I will bring you a flower
but it will fall.
If you walk
weeds will grow up
between your toes.
Flower, weed and you
are born and die
each feeding
all of the others.
A reflection on case 51 of the Shobogenzo Koans (Dogen’s True Dharma Eye)
Shobogenzo
TOZAN’S TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN 正法眼蔵 四十九
When you are asked
to climb to the top
of the mountain and look
in all directions
and report who you see,
if you see no one, how
will you respond?
Close your eyes
and tell me,
am I still here?
A reflection on case 49 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)
GENSHA’S THREE VEHICLES 正法眼蔵 四十語
Describe this moment
without use of word or sound –
see where you are
with eyes pressed tightly closed,
hear a song with utter silence,
taste the pure mountain air
reach out and touch
that which has no shape
or form, no essence
and you sit
in the middle
of reality.
A reflection on case 45 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)
KISO CUTS A SNAKE 正法眼蔵 四十三
Snakes, like coins,
have both head and tail.
If I cut a snake in two,
have I two snakes,
or none at all?
Walk carefully
for the spade
that cuts the snake
can dig an inescapable abyss.
A reflection on case 43 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)
KYOSEI’S BUDDHADHARMA 正法眼蔵 三十九
If you ask when
is the best time
to seek wisdom I
will tell you
at the stroke of midnight
and I will walk
on a lighter left foot.
If you ask the next day
when is the best time
to seek wisdom
I will tell you
at highest noon
and I will walk
on a lighter right foot.
A reflection on Case 39 of Dogen’s Shoboganzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)
The World-Honored One’s Intimate Speech 正法眼蔵 三十四
The wise one delivers
most knowledge
without opening his mouth.
The sagacious student
does not hide the wisdom
he inherits but offers it
in utter silence.
What is it
you wished to say
for I am ready
not to listen.
A reflection on Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans Case 34 (True Dharma Eye)
SEPPO’S TURNING THE WHEEL 正法眼蔵 三十八
The wisest of men,
when asked at what time
it is best to pursue the Way,
will answer when a thousand stars
have made their presence known.
The wisest student will say
when cleaning myself
by bathing in the mud.
This will become clear
when the frog
consumes the dragon.
A reflection on Case 35 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)
FUKE’S BELL SONG 正法眼蔵 二十二
Follow the old fellow
walking over there, he
who cannot see
because it is too bright,
who cannot see
because it is too dark
who cannot see
above himself, below
behind or beside,
but traverses the path
with an unerring foot.
A reflection on Case 22 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)
NANSEN AND THE LAND DEITY 鐵笛倒吹 十八
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)
XIANGYAN’S GREAT ENLIGHTENMENT
Tell me, the master said
what did you know
of the world
before you first
had words.
If this perplexes you
ask the infant, newborn
in his tears and smiles
all of Dharma
is laid out
before you.
A reflection on Case 10 of the Shobogenzo Koans (Dogen’s True Dharma Eye)
an old writer and his words 