Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Buddhist : Zen / Chan 17th Century	About Basho Timeline (1644 - 1694)
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English version by Lucien Stryk and Takashi Ikemoto Original Language Japanese	Crow's
Commentary by Ivan M. Granger Themes   Spring Blossom   Tree         Recommended Books A Box of Zen: Haiku the Poetry of Zen, Koans the Lessons of Zen, Sayings the Wisdom of Zen, Edited by Manuela Dunn Mascetti / Edited by Timothy Hugh Barrett Classic Haiku: An Anthology of Poems by Basho and His Followers, Translated by Asataro Miyamori The Complete Basho Poems, Translated by Keith Harrison The Enlightened Heart: An Anthology of Sacred Poetry, by Stephen Mitchell Essential Haiku: Versions of Basho, Buson & Issa, Translated by Robert Hass More >>	Crow's abandoned nest, a plum tree.     -- from Zen Poetry: Let the Spring Breeze Enter, Translated by Lucien Stryk / Translated by Takashi Ikemoto
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Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

Sometimes it is a mistake to try to explain a haiku's meaning, since its primary impact is not really comprehended by the logical mind at all. But, for the sake of play, let's explore this one a bit...

In this haiku by Basho, each line gives us a distinct element: a crow, an abandoned nest, and a plum tree. Basho ordered his lines so first we have the awareness of a crow, which can be understood as representing the busy mind, a bird that proclaims its presence by croaking in the winter sky, a carrion feeder, awkward in its movements but somehow suggestive of a hidden reality.

Next, Basho shows us that this crow has abandoned its nest. With the coming of spring, the crow has left, the mind has emptied itself, grown quiet, still.

Witnessing the empty mind, we then have the vision of the plum tree that supports it. The plum tree is awareness itself, the full, unmodified awareness of the Buddha mind that is the foundation of all thought and all creation.

Crow -- empty nest -- plum tree.
Mind -- no mind -- Buddha mind.

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2006 by Ivan M. Granger.
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