https://www.reddit.com/r/zenbuddhism/comments/1i91905/friday_night_zen_poetry_slam_promises_of/
created by 2bitmoment on 24/01/2025 at 17:45 UTC
7 upvotes, 6 top-level comments (showing 6)
Is mumon’s promise^1
just to trap us and bury us?^2
Omiss or ominous?
Happiness a mirage,
Enlightenment too?
All we can get,
just sitting,
just zazen^3 ,
all the way through?
Or studying koans,
confused from day one
till old and dying?
a few words here
a few words there
a choice of words
to fit a verse
and the poem’s finished
the theme is just a suggestion
Notes:
1. reference to the following passage from the first case from wumenkuan/mumonkuan: “No”—this is the barrier of Zen. This is why [this collection] is called the Zen school’s barrier of the gate of No. If you can pass through it, not only will you see Zhaozhou in person but you will then be able to walk together hand in hand with all the generations of ancestral teachers. You will join eyebrows with the ancestral teachers, see through the same eyes, and hear through the same ears. Won’t you be happy!
2. “I have no expedient techniques to give people, no doctrine, no method of peace and happiness. Why? If there is any “expedient technique,” it has the contrary effect of burying you and trapping you.” From Instant Zen
3. Reference to “Zazen is good for nothing”
Comment by Regulus_D at 24/01/2025 at 21:08 UTC
5 upvotes, 2 direct replies
That which* flew here on iron broom.
Then broke it for no reason.
Melted it to molten ball.
Then hid with Shiva's poison.
Without great doubt there's nought to break
nor reason seek to break it.
There's just no lightful shining mark
when you see you forsake it.
^(*Mumon)
Comment by Pops12358 at 24/01/2025 at 21:59 UTC
4 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I don't think,
Koans are confusing,
For the most part,
I find them quite amusing,
If you can't sit,
Go for a walk,
Maybe take the time,
For a long silent talk,
Listen to nature,
Just try and observe,
Words are a trap,
One we all deserve.
Looking for wisdom buried in books,
It could always be much worse.
How did the Buddha really behave?
Was he a coward or a knave?
To abandon his family, a wife and child,
To seek wisdom in the wild.
Did he find it, some may ask,
Many an answer I have heard, such is the task,
Sifting through the rotten remains,
Of pages long ago left to the flames.
What are you doing?
What are you saying?
Laughing with hands held high,
Passed by old Budai.
Watched him chuckle and walk along,
When asked the way, he moved on.
Find your path if you can,
Help out your fellow man,
How can you lead them to nothing?
You can't.
You won't.
It's always right in front of us.
Hahaha
Comment by SiNosDejan at 25/01/2025 at 01:59 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Needless to say
What there isn't in words
Pointing to reality
Therein lies truth
Comment by KokemushitaShourin at 25/01/2025 at 09:47 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Negative,
Negation,
Ne gati,
Ni gate,
No gate.
Comment by OnePoint11 at 25/01/2025 at 20:44 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
You will join eyebrows with the ancestral teachers
Comment by wrrdgrrI at 26/01/2025 at 12:42 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Ugly roots
Handsome branches
Seek the fruit
Craft the hand-holds
Made of wrrds
Climb, climb,
Hoping to lose your life.