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ten oxherding

Dated by an inscription to 1278

the present scroll is the earliest known Japanese illustrated version of these verses and the only extant copy with color illustrations.

Since the early history of the Chan (Zen) tradition in China, a herdboy’s search for his lost ox has served as a parable for a practitioner’s pursuit of enlightenment.

In the twelfth century, the Chan master Kuoan Shiyuan codified the tale into ten verses describing the phases of spiritual progress.

tasks

  • finish command line app
  • print out cheatsheet for my wallet
  • add first letter app on this webpage
  • memorize the entire thing

summary

paragraph summary
1 Undisciplined. The untamed mind is unruly.
2 Discipline begins. Preliminary efforts in meditation.
3 In harness. The meditator's mindfulness increases.
4 Turns around. The meditation object is clearly seen.
5 Tamed. The mental hindrances begin to disappear.
6 Unimpeded. Concentration continues joy arises.
7 Non-interference. The concentrated mind needs no effort.
8 All forgotten. The higher levels of consciousness.
9 The solitary moon. Joyfully seeing reality.
10 Both vanished. Enlightenment.

first letters

oaptg
ais
traw
tmfa
atpbl
ead
ohotlac
sitmw
btwautt
tant
fggt
bdysto
eitd
otdmf
hctun
otobc
abwsuab
wssb
gwotb
nctoeth
btmh
adtd
wame
isto
hwisahpe
ahcbte
shc
tthp
aths
ditm
odnlgotwotr
aiws
actdm
awobg
aewnr
wfp
bh
rtbil
wth
efme
tsc
ebaet
iip
nwanft
wum
roto
hhch
tinot
ahiae
atsih
hisd
twara
itth
wrmao
aan
tbsbv
nmcbh
jatscl
itfrf
atsocj
tat
irttf
agbtts
ihtwsh
piwbb
tbbad
bith
idnswio
trft
tfsbr
hetcb
wce
cidaa
sb
nnftmp
otgai
jltdtba

full text

one aimlessly pushes the grasses aside in search the rivers are wide the mountains far away and the path becomes longer exhausted and dispirited one hears only the late autumn cicadas shrilling in the maple woods by the water, and under the trees there are numerous traces fragrant grasses grow thickly but did you see the ox? even in the depths of the distant mountain forest how could the upturned nostrils of the ox be concealed? a bush warbler sings upon a branch warm sun, soft breezes green willows on the bank nowhere can the ox escape to hide but those majestic horns are difficult to draw with all my energy i seize the ox his will is strong, and his power endless and he cannot be tamed easily sometimes he charges to the high plateau and there he stays deep in the mist one does not let go of the whip or the rope afraid it will stray and choose the dusty mist a well-tended ox becomes gentle and even with no rope will follow people by himself riding the bull, i leisurely wander toward home exotic flute melodies echo through sunset clouds each beat and each tune is indescribably profound no words are needed for those who understand music riding on the ox he has come home there is no ox there and he is at ease although the sun is high he is still dreamy the whip and rope abandoned in the thatched hut whip, rope, man, and ox all are non-existent the blue sky being vast no message can be heard just as the snowflake cannot last in the flaming red furnace after this state, one can join the ancient teachers in returning to the fundamentals and going back to the source i had to work so hard perhaps it would be better to be blind and deaf being in the hut i do not see what is outside the river flowing tranquilly the flower simply being red he enters the city barefoot with chest exposed covered in dust and ashes smiling broadly no need for the magic powers of the gods and immortals just let the dead tree bloom again

full text chan

1 Searching for the Ox Brushing aside thick grasses I pursue him, In wide rivers, distant mountains, and deep roads. Exhausted, unable to find him anywhere, I only hear evening cicadas in the maple trees.

2 Discovering the Footprints Scores of footprints in the forests and by the streams, Do you see them scattered amid the fragrant grass? Even deep in the remote mountains, How can he conceal his enormous snout?

3 Sighting the Ox A golden oriole trills on the branch, The sun is warm, the wind mild, And the lakeside willow green. Now there is nowhere for the ox to escape! Yet who can paint the intricate details of his head and horns?

4 Catching the Ox With extraordinary effort I catch the ox; Strong of body and spirit, he is not easily subdued. At times, he scales the lofty plains, Then hides deep within the mist and clouds.

5 Taming the Ox I must never let go of the whip and rein, Lest he strides down the dusty trail. By patiently taming and subduing the ox, He'll follow me without the leash.

6 | Riding the Ox Home Mounting the ox I meander home; The sound of my flute rides with the evening glow. Each beat, each tune holds meaning profound; No need for words if you understand this song.

7 | The Ox Transcended Astride the ox I reach my native hill, The ox has vanished, and I am free. I dream until the sun is high; The rein and whip lie idle in the barn.

8 | Both Ox and Self Transcended Whip, rein, person, and ox are all just empty, How can words touch the vast blue sky? How can snow accrue on a burning stove? Here finally, I walk with the Patriarchs.

9 I Returning to the Source Returning to ones root has taken much effort, Better to just act blind and deaf this moment! Within my hut I see nothing without; Rivers flow of themselves and Flowers naturally bloom.

10 | Entering the World Bare-chested and barefoot, I step into the teeming world; Though covered in mud, I beam with joy. Without the need for secret miraculous powers, I make flowers bloom from withered wood.