“Looking for the Ox” by Tenshō Shūbun. Via Wikimedia.

一

In Search of the Bull
In the pasture of the world,
I endlessly push aside the tall
grasses in search of the Ox.
Following unnamed rivers,
lost upon the interpenetrating
paths of distant mountains,
My strength failing and my vitality exhausted, I cannot find the Ox.

“Discovery of the Footprints” by Tenshō Shūbun. Via Wikimedia.

二

Discovery of the Footprints
Along the riverbank under the trees,
I discover footprints.
Even under the fragrant grass,
I see his prints.
Deep in remote mountains they are found.
These traces can no more be hidden
than one’s nose, looking heavenward.

“Perceiving the Bull” by Tenshō Shūbun. Via Wikimedia.

三

Perceiving the Bull
I hear the song of the nightingale.
The sun is warm, the wind is mild,
willows are green along the shore –
Here no Ox can hide!
What artist can draw that massive head,
those majestic horns?

“Catching the Bull” by Tenshō Shūbun. Via Wikimedia.

四

Catching the Bull
I seize him with a terrific struggle.
His great will and power
are inexhaustible.
He charges to the high plateau
far above the cloud-mists,
Or in an impenetrable ravine he stands.

“Taming the Bull” by Tenshō Shūbun. Via Wikimedia.

五

Taming the Bull
The whip and rope are necessary,
Else he might stray off down
some dusty road.
Being well-trained, he becomes
naturally gentle.
Then, unfettered, he obeys his master.

“Riding the Bull Home” by Tenshō Shūbun. Via Wikimedia.

六

Riding the Bull Home
Mounting the Ox, slowly
I return homeward.
The voice of my flute intones
through the evening.
Measuring with hand-beats
the pulsating harmony,
I direct the endless rhythm.
Whoever hears this melody
will join me.

“The Bull Transcended” by Tenshō Shūbun. Via Wikimedia.

七

The Bull Transcended
Astride the Ox, I reach home.
I am serene. The Ox too can rest.
The dawn has come. In blissful repose,
Within my thatched dwelling
I have abandoned the whip and ropes.

“Both Bull and Self Transcend” by Tenshō Shūbun. Via Wikimedia.

八

Both Bull and Self Transcended
Whip, rope, person, and Ox –
all merge in No Thing.
This heaven is so vast,
no message can stain it.
How may a snowflake exist
in a raging fire.
Here are the footprints of
the Ancestors.

“Reaching the Source” by Tenshō Shūbun. Via Wikimedia.

九

Reaching the Source

Too many steps have been taken
returning to the root and the source.
Better to have been blind and deaf
from the beginning!
Dwelling in one’s true abode,
unconcerned with and without –
The river flows tranquilly on
and the flowers are red.

“Return to Society” by Tenshō Shūbun. Via Wikimedia.

十

—

Verses by Kuòān Shīyuǎn

Translation by Senzaki Nyogen (千崎如幻) (1876–1958) and Paul Reps (1895-1990).

Paintings by Tenshō Shūbun (天章周文) (1414-1463

From Ten Bulls Wikipedia article.

See:

http://www.buddhistdoor.com/OldWeb/passissue/9710/sources/art9.htm

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/weai/exeas/resources/oxherding.html

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/weai/exeas/syllabi.html