Comment by Pops12358 on 24/01/2025 at 21:59 UTC

4 upvotes, 1 direct replies (showing 1)

View submission: Friday Night Zen Poetry Slam: Promises of happiness, “zazen for nothing”

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

Replies

Comment by 2bitmoment at 24/01/2025 at 22:49 UTC*

5 upvotes, 1 direct replies

There's a famous quote

if you're not confused

then you're not paying attention

(about quantum something or other

electro chroma-dynamics kkkkkkkkk)

a mote of dust

a fused mistrust

and the fuel of lamps

is nearly gone

Buddha left home,

left human concepts

of love and duty

he had many adepts

and was never moody

rotten or burnt?

felt like asking

fictional pages

so it can be both

tasks and masks

and fears of deportation

ICE and lice

and fears of cooties

What use is zen

for a refugee?

will it grant asylum?

feed hungry mouths?

apart from all the negations

what can you say?

do you have purpose

from january to may?

in your zen study

in sitting zazen

or is it just nonsense

to keep boredom at bay?