Twirling

[Taigu]

In Shobogenzo Udonge, Dogen writes something like this:

This being so, because the World-honored Gautama is now put- ting his body into flowers and has shrouded his body in space, we call being able to grasp nostrils, and call having grasped space, “the twirling of flowers.” Twirling flowers are twirled by eyes, twirled by mind-consciousness, twirled by nostrils, and twirled by flowers twirling. In general, the mountains, rivers, and the earth; the sun and moon, the wind and rain; people, ani- mals, grass, and trees—the miscellaneous things of the present displaying themselves here and there—are just the twirling of the uḍumbara flower. Living-and-dying and going-and-coming are also a miscellany of flowers and the brightness of flowers. Our learning in practice like this in the present is the continuing process of twirling flowers.

Twirling, dynamic and playful twirling of the Wheel
Toying with a flower of Vulture Peak
Buddha turns and twirls reality as is
From the most distant galaxy
To the very color of your eyes.
Twisted twirling vines
Treasure trail to tramp
One, two, three, four
Flowers don't make Spring
Spring cannot be painted
But risen
But in being
It soaks the bones with
Subtle fragrance
It cannot
Even be seen
Whirling away
As ourselves

Three pai

Taigu

[Jishin]

Thank you Taigu. :-)

Gassho
Jishin

[Myosha]

Hello,

Smiling.

Thank you.


Gassho,
Myosha

[Victor Chu]

Please forgive me and my ignorance but I just can't seem to make sense of it nor do I understand the metaphor. If possible Taigu, can you give me a bit of an explanation on the meaning.

My utmost gratefulness

Gassho
Victor

[Taigu]

Hi Victor,

Thank you for your request and taking the time to read this.

Why don't you read Udonge and Baike both in volume 3 of Mike Cross and Nishijima translation?
Why don't you stop to get it with your head?
Why not giving up this idea that this a metaphor than one can explain?

You see, here, we don"t ( at least I don't) explain metaphor, we put them into practice.
this text of Dogen and my clumsy poetry are talking about the timeless transmission between Bouddha and Mahakashyapa on Vulture Peak. It happens now. Here and now where you stand! There is nothing to explain. OPEN YOUR EYES!!!

gassho

Taigu

[Taikyo]

What Taigu says about metaphor reminds me of Ryokan's words:

With no-mind, blossoms invite the butterfly;
With no-mind, the butterfly visits the blossoms.
When the flower blooms, the butterfly comes;
When the butterfly comes, the flower blooms.......
Ryokan

Thank you Taigu
Gassho
Taikyo

[Daitetsu]

Thanks a lot for this, Taigu, your poetry always amazes me!

@Victor:
Zen is more about finding out for oneself. Our teachers help us with this endeavour.
This is contrary to the Western way of teaching.

These teachings are beyond words, as IT is beyond words and the thinking mind. It's all practice, dancing and poetry...

Gassho,

Timo/Daitetsu

[Jinyo]

Hello Victor,

there is, as Timo says. dancing and poetry in Zen but I can understand that you feel you might be helped by some pointers.
Taigu's guiding towards the source (the inspiration in a sense) is a good place to start.

I was afraid of Shobogenzo - even to begin reading the text - when I first joined here. As Taigu and Jundo teach - open your heart rather than your mind to the words - the mind will eventually follow from its own accord.

from Shobogenzo : On the Udumbara Blossom


'The Udumbara blossom signifies the natural opening up of one's heart'


Beautiful don't you think?




Willow

[Juki]

Thank you, Taigu!

Pulled by the nostrils. Much like the ring in the nose of the Ox.

Gassho,
William/Juki

[Mp]

Beautiful Taigu, thank you! Spring comes, grass grows, all by itself. =)

Gassho
Shingen

[Ongen]

this text of Dogen and my clumsy poetry are talking about the timeless transmission between Bouddha and Mahakashyapa on Vulture Peak. It happens now. Here and now where you stand!

Nothing clumsy about it... it's all fresh and crispy

Thank you, Taigu.

Gassho

Vincent

[Victor Chu]

Hi Taigu,

Thank you very much for getting back to me. I will definitely find and read what you suggested.

I appreciate the pointer.

Gassho
Victor

Thanks a lot for this, Taigu, your poetry always amazes me!

@Victor:
Zen is more about finding out for oneself. Our teachers help us with this endeavour.
This is contrary to the Western way of teaching.

These teachings are beyond words, as IT is beyond words and the thinking mind. It's all practice, dancing and poetry...

Gassho,

Timo/Daitetsu

Hello Victor,

there is, as Timo says. dancing and poetry in Zen but I can understand that you feel you might be helped by some pointers.
Taigu's guiding towards the source (the inspiration in a sense) is a good place to start.

I was afraid of Shobogenzo - even to begin reading the text - when I first joined here. As Taigu and Jundo teach - open your heart rather than your mind to the words - the mind will eventually follow from its own accord.

from Shobogenzo : On the Udumbara Blossom


'The Udumbara blossom signifies the natural opening up of one's heart'


Beautiful don't you think?




Willow

I also appreciate both of your help and sharing of the understanding of the practice.

Gassho
Victor.

[Entai]

Taigu,
That was beautiful. Thank you!

Gassho,
Entai / Bill

[Kyotai]

Your not alone Victor. My block-like brain does not seem to compute the simplest of poetry.

Gassho

Shawn

[Shokai]

Pulled, kicking and screaming; but eventually we let go to join the dance. TWIRLING LIKE A FLOWER OPENING ITS HEART
_/\_

Sent from my Note 2 using Tapatalk4