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Wondrous nirvana-mind by Eihei Dogen (1200 - 1253) Timeline English version by Steven Heine Original Language Japanese Buddhist : Zen / Chan 13th Century 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	Themes   Garden   Lotus   Rose   Spring Blossom   Womb Recommended Books The Poetry of Zen: (Shambhala Library), Edited by Sam Hamill / Edited by J. P. Seaton The Soul is Here for its Own Joy: Sacred Poems from Many Cultures, Edited by Robert Bly 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
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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 can be understood to 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 -- enlightenment -- do not fade, even though the seasons change.

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2011 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.