Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Buddhist : Zen / Chan 13th Century	About Dogen Timeline (1200 - 1253)
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English version by Steven Heine Original Language Japanese	Wondrous nirvana-mind
Commentary by Ivan M. Granger Themes   Garden   Lotus   Rose   Spring Blossom     Recommended Books The Poetry of Zen: (Shambhalla Library), Edited by Sam Hamill / Edited by J. P. Seaton The Zen Poetry of Dogen: Verses from the Mountain of Eternal Peace, by Steven Heine Zen Poetry: Let the Spring Breeze Enter, Translated by Lucien Stryk / Translated by Takashi Ikemoto	Because the flowers blooming In our original home Are everlasting, Though springtimes may come and go Their colors do not fade.     -- from The Zen Poetry of Dogen: Verses from the Mountain of Eternal Peace, by Steven Heine Amazon.com
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Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

The meaning of this poem opens up when you understand that, in Zen poetry, spring blossoms represent the gentle, almost unnoticed flowering of enlightenment, the surprisingly quiet recognition of the Buddha-mind. These spring blossoms appear only after the hard, lonely winter of meditation and spiritual practice, yet when they peek forth, their appearance is natural, effortless.

Here, the blossoms -- enlightnment -- do not fade, even though the seasons change.

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2008 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.