
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)
Sozan shouted
to no one
in particular
“You may yet have
the finest wine, but
only when you
have nothing will
you taste it
on your tongue.
A reflection on Case 10 of the Mumonkan (The Gateless Gate Koans)
You may seek to follow
the path of the dove,
for a fool knows many roads.
You may wrap yourself
in fine linen, an infant
wears only his skin
and knows this moment
is already gone.
Think long before you speak
of how to walk
along the path, of where it leads.
The baby says nothing,
will not speak of where
he has been,
where he is going, for to him
there is only here,
and silence
is descriptive enough.
When you fall
earth on one side
sky the other.
When you rise,
earth on one side
sky the other.
When there is no falling,
no sky, no earth,
when there is no rising
no earth, no sky.
Sky and earth
do not stand still.
Reflecting on case 33 of the Shobogenzo