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RAKUHO’S ACQUIESENCE
When you are calledto sit before the masterwhat do you say to him?If you both sit in silencea great conversation transpires.If you ask him questionshe will have no answersand show you to the door. A reflection on Case 35 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)
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SANSHO’S GOLDEN CARP
When you sitbefore your teacherif you ask him a questionhe will return only silence.If you listento his silence closelythe dharmawill be revealed to you.A large stonethat rolls easilymay not be lifted. A reflection on Case 33 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)
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SONG OF THE UNIVERSE
It was a certain rhythm that he lovedhe felt it in total silence, it fadedin the presence of sound, a doumbekof the soul he would describe it. He remembered how it was beforetheir one God rendered him and his kindmere mythological creatures fit onlyfor poetry and dusty library shelves. He would have his revenge some…
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MASTER MA IS UNWELL
Yesterday is but a shadowand tomorrow an illusion.Do not wallow in the mudof attempted memory, donot sink in the mireof deluded anticipation.Stop, listen to the sunand the moon singof the Dharma, hearthe silence it bringsfor you are alivein this moment,and there isno other momentin which you can live. A reflection on Case 3 of the…
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THE HIGHEST MEANING OF THE HOLY TRUTHS
On the path youmay choose to askyour teacher to give youthe heart of the dharma.Accept his silenceand carry it with youfor it is the seedfrom which the great lotuswill arise.Peer within itand see nothing at alland cherish the giftof the heart of the Buddha. A reflection on Case 1 of the Blue Cliff Record (Hekiganroku…
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SHHHHHH
Step outsidelisten carefullyto the morning breezehear its songenjoying itsilentlylips not movingyour voicea chorus.
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OCULUS
I avoid telling people that Iam going blind in my right eyefor they always seem surprisedas if it should look differentor worse, they say “but it mightnot happen,” when I knowthe only way that is truehis if I die sooner, not somethingI want and if I told them thatwould be something for which theywould fumble…
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ENKAN’S RHINOCEROS-HORN FAN
If your teacher asksyou to bring him allof the Dharma you have learnedwhat will you bring him?If you begin to recitewhat you knowof the sutrashe will turn awayand cover his ears.If you sitnext to him in silencehe will smile. A reflection on Case 25 of the Book of Equanimity, 従容錄, Shōyōroku
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ROSO FACES THE WALL
When you approachthe teacher what is itthat you expect from her?If you ask herto show you the wayshe will sitand face the wallin silence.What will you learnfrom this?If you arefacing the wallin silenceyou shoutyour answer. A reflection on Case 23 of the Book of Equanimity ( 従容錄, Shōyōroku)
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UNKNOWABLE
How often have wesat in pews, on the zafuand heard an enrobedman or woman say“Let me describe for you”that which cannot bedescribed, that whichis beyond mere words. We would be better servedto just sit in silenceand hear deeply whatwe need, not empty wordsmeant to lead, to mislead,for you God does not speakand you cannot claim…
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an old writer and his words 