Thursday, February 2, 2012

POEM: "Kung-An"

Kung-An

                                  Mind is the Buddha


Master Ma-Tzu is very full of joy
For today he can give each monk
A pane of precious glass to hold

After the hard running warm-up
He bids them sit & behold two things
Both of them true both of them false

Behind before and in the glass
A chilling task Ch'an has set them
Hour by hour their chattering teeth

Don't even think about reality, he said
Don't ever turn your gaze into a mirror
As they now try to leave the world

Master meets them in a distant garden
Don't even think of leaving this world
Your Master Winter examines the bones!

A monk stands up and starts shouting
What could be simpler than reality!
Another passes out from the strain.


© 2006/2012 Rob Schackne

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