THIS SIDE AND THAT SIDE

It is easy, you say
to tell which is in
side, which without.

You can walk
from here to there
and there to here,
but if you stop
at some point
along the way
can you see
where you are?
Let me make it simple.
I will hand you a brush,
now paint a line
across the ocean.
On which side
do you tread water?



           - after Shobogenzo 89

BASO'S SUN-FACED BUDDHA, MOON-FACED BUDDHA

碧巌録  三

Life is joy and illness

two sides, one coin

death is caused by birth

stop and consider this.

Look into the face

of the evening sun,

will it retreat

from your eyes

or linger in memory?

Look into the face

of the full midnight moon,

does she have

the sun’s face

only until morning?

TOZAN'S DHARMA BODIES

正法眼蔵  語十語

If I ask you

"does a circle

have both inside

and outside," what do you say.

If you cut it into

three pieces, which

has inside, which outside

and what of the third?

Joshu's Oak (after Mumonkan 37)

無門關 三十七 

Look out of the window

the garden is barren

of oaks, nor is this

a Temple in China.

If you listen carefully

a thousand branches

bend quietly in the wind,

a simple wave washing

oak leaves onto

expectant soil.

Two Monks Roll Up the Blinds 無門關 二十六

Both are asked

to bring more light

into the hall.

Together each

rolls up his shade.

One’s action is gain

one’s action is loss

there is only one shade

there is only one light.

                 -- Capping Verse for Mumonkan 26 ("The Gateless Gate")

And So It Begins

鐵笛倒吹 一

Like Manjushri, stand still

outside the gate

and listen for the call

of Buddha from within.

When he calls, answer

but is Buddha inside

and you without?

There is nothing at all

to see, and the gate

has fallen from its hinges

so answer yourself carefully.