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FROM THERE
The middle, she said, is whatis all important, for everythingextends from that precise point. It’s something we learnedas children, a lesson sittingin every good playground. Buddhists know it certainly,it is the way we want to find,the route to peace and compassion. And let’s face it, when it comesto everything, we all knowthat’s the place you…
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GENSHA’S BLANK LETTER 正法眼蔵 四十八
If you wish to find the Wayfollow the signs that read“This Is Not the Path” orat least some of them.If you ask me directionsI will hand you a blank sheetand ask you whatdoes it contain.You may say it is voidand you would be correct,or you may say itis a thousand dharma textsand you would be…
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JOSHU INVESTIGATES AN OLD WOMAN 無門關 三十一
In searching for the path to the holy mountain you may ask directions of the old tea lady sitting still at its base and she may point but placing one foot ahead of the other stare closely at the tea leaves for they, too, know the Way. A reflection on Case 31 of the Mumonkan…
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SEPPO’S SANCTITY 鐵笛倒吹 三十七
You claim to seek sanctity – will you know it if you find it along the way? What if it sneaks up on you when you are lost in reverie, what if it reaches you in a strike of the teacher’s stick, will you jump in fear and frighten it away, or sit with it…
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NANSEN’S ORDINARY MIND 無門關 十九
Why seek the way? Would yo?. Where is the way? You are standing on it Which way does it lead? Ask your feet. A reflection on case 19 of the Mumonkan (The Gateless Gate Koans)
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TAISHU’S DREAM 鐵笛倒吹 三十
In your dream you set out along your path passing countless monks each of who offered gassho. On awakening you asked to be pointed to the Way. Why didn’t you ask the dream monks and why do you assume that was the dream and this is awakening? A reflection on Case 30 of the Iron…
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NANSEN’S AGE 鐵笛倒吹 二十四
When you enter the hall which seat will you take? Your seat is determined by how long you have walked the Way, how long has it been. If you can measure the time that marks your entry sit at the far end for the honored seat is reserved for the ancients who enter the Way…
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KENSHO
It will arrive before you know it, will be gone again before you realize it was even here. This is how it is supposed to be, Even if not how we want it. We will know it had been there and that needs to be enough for we would try and grasp it, try to…
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SEPPO’S TURNING THE WHEEL
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 38…
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FUNYO PUNISHES THE SKY 鐵笛倒吹 三十二
If there are no clouds, punish the sky with your stick. If there is no sun punish the clouds with your stick. As you walk the Way both road and sky know your stick with each step. If you doze will you strike yourself with your stick or grab it away? A reflection on Case…
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an old writer and his words 