Hakuin Zenki

All beings by nature are Buddha,
as ice by nature is water;
apart from water there is no ice,
apart from beings no Buddha.

Lao Tzu

Thirty spokes join together in the hub.
It is because of what is not there that the cart is useful.
Clay is formed into a vessel.
It is because of its emptiness that the vessel is useful.
Cut doors and windows to make a room.
It is because of its emptiness that the room is useful.
Therefore, what is present is used for profit.

But it is in absence that there is usefulness.

Liu Yung

Pa sheng kan chou
.
Spattering evening rains sprinkles river and sky
Washes clear autumn
Soon frost with icy winds will close in
On the desolate mountain pass, the deserted river ...
Last rays of sun glance off the tower
Everywhere red fades, green disappears
By turn, what flourished, ends
Only the waters of Yanftze flow on
Wordlessly, east

I can not bear to climb the high tower, look out
Gaze longingly toward home -- dim and distant
But to stop my thoughts from going back is hard
I wonder at my path in recent years --
Why have I lingered, miserable
Aware that in her room she has looked up --
How many times --
and thought she saw my boat on the horizon?
And never known that I lean here
Congealed with sorrow?

Kobayashi Issa 1763-1827

In the lap of a
holy man
a cicada sings

Keso Shogaku 15th C.

For twenty years I've sought the Other.
Now, letting go, I fly out of the pit.
What use oneness of mind and body?
These days I only sing la-la-la.

Ikkyu

We pray for our life of tomorrow,
Ephemeral life though it be;
This is the habit of our mind
That passed away yesterday.

Saisho (circa 1490)

Earth, mountains, rivers - hidden in this nothingness.
In this nothingness - earth, mountains, rivers revealed.
Spring flowers, winter snows:
There's no being or non-being, nor denial itself.

Tung-Shan (806-869),

Unity attained:
Who dares to equal him
Who falls into neither being nor non-being!
All men want to leave
The current of ordinary life,
But he, after all, comes back
To sit among the coals and ashes.

Ryokan

In the morning, bowing to all;
In the evening, bowing to all.
Respecting others is my only duty--
Hail to the Never-despising Bodhisattva.

In heaven and earth he stands alone.

A real monk
Needs
Only one thing--
a heart like
Never-despising Buddha.