Tag: True Self

Ox Herding Pictures: Entering the Marketplace
Buddhism

Ox Herding Pictures: Entering the Marketplace

Jessica Davidson3 Comments

Bare-chested, barefooted, he comes into the marketplace. Muddied and dust-covered, how broadly he grins! Without recourse to mystic powers, withered trees he swiftly brings to bloom. The full title of this picture is sometimes Entering the Marketplace with Helping Hands and it represents the stage of the path where you’re ready to share your wisdom… Continue reading Ox Herding Pictures: Entering the Marketplace

Ox Herding Pictures: Both Ox and Self Forgotten
Buddhism

Ox Herding Pictures: Both Ox and Self Forgotten

Jessica Davidson

Whip, rope, Ox and man alike belong to Emptiness. So vast and infinite the azure sky that no concept of any sort can reach it, over a blazing fire a snowflake cannot survive. When this state of mind is realised comes at last comprehension of the spirit of the ancient Patriarchs. In earlier Ox Herding Pictures this was… Continue reading Ox Herding Pictures: Both Ox and Self Forgotten

Ox Herding Pictures: Taming the Ox
Buddhism

Ox Herding Pictures: Taming the Ox

Jessica Davidson1 Comment

He must hold the nose-rope tight and not allow the Ox to roam,  lest off to muddy haunts it should stray. Properly tended, it becomes clean and gentle. Untethered, it willingly follows its master. You have successfully caught the ox of your Buddha nature, but there’s still work to be done. Discipline is still needed:… Continue reading Ox Herding Pictures: Taming the Ox

Ox Herding Pictures: Finding the Tracks
Buddhism

Ox Herding Pictures: Finding the Tracks

Jessica Davidson

Innumerable footprints has he seen in the forest  and along the water’s edge. Over yonder does he see the trampled grass? Even the deepest gorges of the topmost mountains  can’t hide this Ox’s nose which reaches right to heaven. By asking the right questions you begin to sense there might be more to life than you… Continue reading Ox Herding Pictures: Finding the Tracks