FROM KENSHO TO NIRVANA

"Here, Oh Shariputra, Form is Emptiness, Emptiness is Form;
Form does not differ from Emptiness, Emptiness does not differ from Form;
- whatever is Empty, that is Form, whatever is Form, that is Empty!" - The Heart Sutra

the night is cold

shadows and moonlight

filter through trees

shadows and moonlight

and morning bells

like wind chimes in the oak

people emerge from darkness

dressed in black

dark and silent as zombies

all heading the same direction

the zendo is cold

my ears are cold

as I sit in the dark

facing a wall

when a glorious symphony

greets the dawn

squawking chattering scolding birds

what is true Buddha-nature

when you hear the sound of birdsong?

the evening is warm

contentment fills the zendo

like a cloud

heavy with moisture

ready to burst

the room smiles

    living dying

    laughing crying
    dark of night

    and light of the day
    stormy seas

    and waves of mind
    all things arise

    and pass away

The Blessed Lord Krishna said: "This imperishable science of yoga I taught to the sun-god Vivasvan. Vivasvan taught it to Manu, the father of mankind, and Manu in turn taught it to Iksvaku." - The Bhagavad Gita

the morning is cold

wind whips my face

into tears

as I trudge through snow

the chapel is warm

warm warm warm

with love from my dearest family

dressed in white

candles and shadows

make the darkness inviting

chants echo through the rafters

Ganesha Shadanam

Shadanam Ganesha

Lord Krishna who never sleeps

enter my body

and move me

into glorious forms

let the wind blow through me

sun melt my bones

the earth reclaim me

and take me back home

-Paresh


				*--------------* *FROM KENSHO TO NIRVANA*



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