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Buddhist : Zen / Chan
18th Century

About Hakuin

Timeline (1686 - 1768)

Hakuin, Hakuin poetry, Buddhist, Buddhist poetry, Zen / Chan poetry, [TRADITION SUB2] poetry,  poetry

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English version by
Lucien Stryk and Takashi Ikemoto

Original Language
Japanese

You no sooner attain the great void

Themes
  Snow
  Sound
 
 
 

 

Recommended Books

Essential Teachings of Zen Master Hakuin, by Norman Waddell
Secrets of the Blue Cliff Record: Zen Comments by Hakuin and Tenkei, Translated by Thomas Cleary
Wild Ivy: The Spiritual Autobiography of Zen Master Hakuin, Translated by Norman Waddell
The Zen Koan, by Isshu Miura / Ruth Fuller Sasaki
Zen Poetry: Let the Spring Breeze Enter, Translated by Lucien Stryk / Translated by Takashi Ikemoto

You no sooner attain the great void
Than body and mind are lost together.
Heaven and Hell -- a straw.
The Buddha-realm, Pandemonium -- shambles.
Listen: a nightingale strains her voice, serenading the snow.
Look: a tortoise wearing a sword climbs the lampstand.
Should you desire the great tranquility,
Prepare to sweat white beads.

 

 

-- from Zen Poetry: Let the Spring Breeze Enter, Translated by Lucien Stryk / Translated by Takashi Ikemoto

Amazon.com

 

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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.