60. Zen Poetry

Today is July 8, 2021. As I write this, the current outside temperature is hovering around 114*
here in the southwestern desert of the United States.

This time of year is typically hot in the Mojave Desert. Nonetheless, we are setting climate heat
records this year that are being attributed to global warming.

Just like an ice cold glass of lemonade, I thought I would take this opportunity to offer some
relaxation from the summer via poetry.

The sources are varied. Please enjoy…..

1.)
“Sitting silently in a mountain temple in the quiet night;
Extreme quiet and stillness are our original nature.
Why does the west wind shake the forest;
A cry from the wintering geese fills the sky.”

2.)
“The green mountain ranges are Buddha’s home;
The vast ocean is the palace of stillness.
Let things come and go without hindrance;
Behold the sight of a red crown crane atop the pine tree.”

3.)
“Mind is just like the autumn Moon;
The green lake is sparkling clear and pure.
Nothing in this world is comparable;
How can I ever describe?”

4.)
“People asked why do I live in the green mountains;
The mind at ease, only smiles.
The peach blossoms flow away with the stream;
Heaven on Earth this world.”

5.)
“Life is like an illusion within an illusion;
Meeting in this samsara world, who is who?
Before parents give this life, who am I?
After the last breath, what am I?”

6.)
“Fortunate is the one who dons the monastic robe;
A free person in this world.
There is a time to come and go;
The white clouds are ushered by the wind.”

7.)
“Red flowers bloom and fill the tree;
When they fall, empty branches are revealed.
A lone flower remains;
Soon, it will drift with the wind.”

8.)
“Grip the hoe with empty hands;
Walk while riding a water buffalo.
Crossing the bridge above;
The bridge flows, the water does not.”

9.)
“All things arise with the wind;
All things cease with the wind.
Attain the source of the wind;
The Dharma-Eye sees everything.”

10.)
“All things have their time;
Abide by this truth, life will be at ease.
Spring flowers or autumn Moon;
They leave no trace in history.”

11.)
“A thousand feet silk thread is lowered;
One wave has just risen, thousands follow right behind.
In the silent night, the deep autumn fish would not bite;
The empty boat returns full with luminous moonlight.”

12.)
“A cup drops on the floor;
The sound reverberates loud and clear.
Space is smashes;
The wild mind ceases instantly.”

The above Zen Poetry Compilation courtesy of my dear friends at the…
Kwan Yin Chan Lin Zen Meditation Centre
Singapore
Abbot: Gae Mun Sunim