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Zenrin Kushu: A longtime favorite!
Nirvana
aka BUBBA ` ` South Carolina, USA Veteran
http://boozers.fortunecity.com/brewerytap/695/Zenrinkushu.html
Finally found it on the Web. This stuff really moved me when I was a teenager and although I cannot afford to own a copy now, it's an inspired piece.
What does this mean to you? Are any scholars here who can tell me more about it? Is it considered a classic by anyone?
It brings the Gospel According to Thomas to mind, along other things. Very serene and bucolic!
Finally found it on the Web. This stuff really moved me when I was a teenager and although I cannot afford to own a copy now, it's an inspired piece.
What does this mean to you? Are any scholars here who can tell me more about it? Is it considered a classic by anyone?
It brings the Gospel According to Thomas to mind, along other things. Very serene and bucolic!
The water before, and the water after,
Now and forever flowing, follow each other...
There is no place to seek the mind;
It is like the footprints of the birds in the sky.
Sitting quietly, doing nothing,
Spring comes, grass grows by itself.
Above, not a piece of tile to cover the head;
Beneath, not an inch of earth to put one's foot on.
The mouth desires to speak, but the words disappear;
The heart desires to associate itself, but the thoughts fade away.
If you wish to know the road up the mountain,
You must ask the man who goes back and forth on it...
Simply you must empty "is" of meaning,
And to take "is not" as real.
One mote flying up dims the sky;
One speck of dust covers the earth.
Is there anything to compare with wearing of clothes and eating of food?
Beyond this there is no Buddha or Bodhisattva.
To know the original Mind, the essential Mature,
This is the great disease of (our) religion.
The Tathagata's True-Law Eye-Treasury, --
It is just like two mirrors reflecting each other.
It cannot be attained by mind;
It is not to be sought after through mindlessness.
It cannot be created by speech;
It cannot be penetrated by silence.
The geese do not wish to leave their reflection behind;
The water has no mind to retain their image.
Now and forever flowing, follow each other...
There is no place to seek the mind;
It is like the footprints of the birds in the sky.
Sitting quietly, doing nothing,
Spring comes, grass grows by itself.
Above, not a piece of tile to cover the head;
Beneath, not an inch of earth to put one's foot on.
The mouth desires to speak, but the words disappear;
The heart desires to associate itself, but the thoughts fade away.
If you wish to know the road up the mountain,
You must ask the man who goes back and forth on it...
Simply you must empty "is" of meaning,
And to take "is not" as real.
One mote flying up dims the sky;
One speck of dust covers the earth.
Is there anything to compare with wearing of clothes and eating of food?
Beyond this there is no Buddha or Bodhisattva.
To know the original Mind, the essential Mature,
This is the great disease of (our) religion.
The Tathagata's True-Law Eye-Treasury, --
It is just like two mirrors reflecting each other.
It cannot be attained by mind;
It is not to be sought after through mindlessness.
It cannot be created by speech;
It cannot be penetrated by silence.
The geese do not wish to leave their reflection behind;
The water has no mind to retain their image.
0
Comments
I think the importance of descriptions of this 'state' are important because they create spaces and impressions that, in and of themselves, are footsteps.
This is only the anguish of him who is listening to them.
The voice of the mountain torrent is from one great tongue;
The lines of the hills, are they not the Pure Body of Buddha?
It is like a sword that wounds, but cannot wound itself;
Like an eye that sees, but cannot see itself.
Words do not make a man understand;
You must get the man, to understand them.
To be able to trample upon the Great Void,
The iron cow must sweet.
It is like a tiger, but with many horns;
Like a cow, but it has no tail.
Meeting, the two friends laugh and laugh;
In the grove, fallen leaves are many.
This last verse I remember being much more poignant, speaking about two buddhas meeting in the woods among falling leaves and having nothing to communicate verbally they "just laugh and laugh."
Here's two more:
http://www.copdandsomuchmore.com/creativitypoemsenigma2.html
Metta
skydancer