This lovely poem of Dogen is an attempt to convey through sound and breaths his real and original face. The mountain of samadhi, the moon of awakening, the white and changing nature of rice, cloud and water. This is also a precise description of what takes plcae when one sits, the no-self being realised when everything is invited adn included in a lively process of expanding in all directions.

On a portrait of myself

1249, Echizen

Fresh, clear spirit covers old mountain man this autumn.

Donkey stares at the sky ceiling: glowing white moon floats.

Nothing approaches. Nothing else included.

Buoyant, I let myself go~filled with gruel, filled with rice.

Lively flapping from head to tail,

sky above, sky beneath, cloud self, water origin.

Visit the Forum for this topic!