Peaceful Life - AUTHOR: Dainin KATAGIRI
[This document can be acquired from a sub-directory coombspapers via anonymous FTP and/or COOMBSQUEST gopher on the node COOMBS.ANU.EDU.AU]
The document's ftp filename and the full directory path are given in the coombspapers top level INDEX file]
[This version: 22 July 1993]
------
TITLE: Peaceful Life
AUTHOR: Dainin KATAGIRI
SOURCE: MZMC News, Spring 1991, Vol 16 no.1, pp.3
NOTES: A poem by Dainin KATAGIRI Roshi published posthumously, on the first
anniversary of his death, by the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center News.
Being told that it is impossible
One believes, in despair, "Is that so?"
Being told that it is possible,
One believes, in excitement, "That's right."
But, whichever is chosen,
It does not fit one's heart neatly.
Being asked, "What is unfitting?"
I don't know what it is.
But my heart knows somehow.
I feel irresistible desire to know.
What a mystery a "human" is!
As to this mystery:
Clarifying,
Knowing how to live,
Knowing how to talk with people,
Demonstrating and teaching,
This is the Buddha.
From my human eyes,
I feel it's really impossible to become Buddha.
But this "I", regarding what the Buddha does,
Vows to practice,
To aspire,
To be resolute,
And tells myself, "Yes, I will."
Just practice right here now,
And achieve continuity,
Endlessly,
Forever.
This is living in vow.
Herein is one's peaceful life found.
