Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Buddhist : Zen / Chan 14th Century	About Ryuzan Timeline (1274 - 1358)
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English version by Lucien Stryk and Takashi Ikemoto Original Language Japanese	Clear in the blue, the moon!
Commentary by Ivan M. Granger Themes   Moon   Snake   Water       Recommended Books Zen Poetry: Let the Spring Breeze Enter, Translated by Lucien Stryk / Translated by Takashi Ikemoto	Clear in the blue, the moon! Icy water to the horizon, Defining high, low. Startled, The dragon uncoils about the billows.     -- from Zen Poetry: Let the Spring Breeze Enter, Translated by Lucien Stryk / Translated by Takashi Ikemoto Amazon.com
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Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

The "blue" here is, of course, the sky. In most Zen poems, the sky represents the mind. It is "clear" -- free from agitations and chatter.

The author is delighted to witness the moon. The moon is a common theme in sacred poetry, representing illumination -- gentle, quiet, pure. It is the rising of Buddha mind.

The startled dragon that uncoils is the Kundalini, the reservoir of spiritual energy normally compressed at the base of the spine. In moments of deep spiritual awakening, it gets shaken from its dormancy ("startled"), and uncoils, rising up the spine to the crown.

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.