Zen teachers sometimes use the Ten Ox Herding Pictures to describe the path of awakening. Within this metaphorical framework, the ox symbolizes the secretive, unruly human mind.
I’m truly grateful to everyone who leaves a comment on this blog. Even though many comments are generous and thoughtful, I rarely respond. Thank you for your understanding.
I extend grateful appreciation to my daughter, Susie, who designed this site; to Zen Master Seung Sahn, for crossing the ocean; and to all beings for their never-ending encouragement and teaching.
May we together attain enlightenment and save all beings from suffering.
Copyright
(c) 2008-2018, Barry Briggs. All Rights Reserved. Header (c) 2015, Susannah Briggs.
A Modern Version of Images & Poems Joseph Bengivenni, who writes Somewhere In Dharma, has developed a tremendous version of ox herding. This takes you to the first image in the series.
New Ox Herding Drawings A new set of drawings (and poems!) by Lynette Monteiro. This link takes you to the first of the ten images.
Poems on the Ox Herding Pictures New poems by Zen Master Daehaeng. This link takes you to the first five poems. The second five poems were published on this site a few days later.
Ox Herding Pictures Images from the outer walls of a hall at Songgwangsa Temple in Korea. (PDF file)
Ox Herding Pictures In Asia, the Ox Herding Pictures are commonly painted on the exterior of temple buildings. This beautiful set is from Mu Sang Sah, a temple in the mountains of Korea.
This is hilarious! Thank you, Barry!
Posted by: arunlikhati | May 28, 2009 at 08:08 AM
You're most welcome, Arunlikhati. For me, it's funny because of the truthfulness of it.
Posted by: Barry Briggs | May 28, 2009 at 02:37 PM
Mate, that channel is available right here in this mind! I suspect you can receive it just fine in that mind also!
;-)
~gassho~
Posted by: Puerhan | May 31, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Thank you, Puerhan, for turning on this television! I was confused (as usual).
Posted by: Barry Briggs | June 01, 2009 at 06:13 AM
Oooh, mine's in HD!
Posted by: Alice | June 02, 2009 at 05:57 PM
Well, you're just so darn modern, Alice. I've still got a cathode ray tube.
Posted by: Barry Briggs | June 02, 2009 at 09:31 PM