Along the riverbank under the trees,
I discover footprints.
Even under the fragrant grass,
I see his prints.
Deep in remote mountains they are found.
These traces can no more be hidden
than one’s nose, looking heavenward.
Koller writes this about the second picture and the verse:
The second picture shows that the oxherd has now caught sight of the tracks of the ox, bringing hope that his ox is not lost forever. This could be interpreted to mean that he has recognized his distress and has begun to seek for a solution in the teachings of Buddhism or in other teachings. But he is still at the stage of thinking and talking about his problems and various possible solutions. He has not yet found a path to follow and has not yet started to practice.[1]
For each of us as we move through the days of our lives we find ourselves searching, thinking, dreaming, seeing, and planning for that perfect oneness and perfection or solution to life’s mysteries. I can reflect on my own “footprints” reliving the conversation or encounter with an old friend or family member. Or remembering a verse I read or a course I studied at school or in the Zendo. Or seeing the traces of my life and thoughts and actions. I begin to search for the answer that I thought I had discovered in that study group or class or relationship.
As I begin to study the principles of Zen my “nose” begins “looking heavenward” as the poem says. I begin to see footprints leading me toward something of which I do not know just yet. At the same time Roshi Robert Kennedy invites me to “…let go of everything we thought we were certain of (page 20).”[2]
Let us not move toward a “fixed truth that might hinder us” but let us move each moment where the experience takes us allowing life to flow at its own pace, form, and destination.
The most exciting and important adventures in life were the ones that we least expected. Open your mind to see what is here in the moment and remember that “truth” changes with time and experience, cling to nothing, enjoy everything—without attachment—and be ready for the next adventure in living!
In gassho, Shokai
[1] http://www.columbia.edu/cu/weai/exeas/resources/pdf/oxherding.pdf
[2] Kennedy, R. (2004) Zen Gifts to Christians. NY: Continuum
prayer will help keep you alive through the night—great what can you lose! If not eating meat is how you desire to live your life wonderful, go for it. If eating meat but not pork or crustaceans (lobster, crabs, shrimp, etc.) is your choice that’s great too. In ancient times you might have been better off not eating pork because it caused an infection we know as trichinosis, but so did lots of other foods. Just a few more reasons “not to believe” everything found in your ancient texts.
simply because you have heard it.”
Today is the perfect day to begin mending our world. Yesterday December 8th we saw the passing of John Glenn. This day we celebrate his life. He was “one of the bravest men in America he took flight as the first man to orbit the Earth in 1962 and at the age of 77 in 1998 became the oldest man in space as a member of the seven-astronaut crew of the shuttle Discovery.
