At the crossroads this year,
after begging all day
I lingered at the village temple.
Children gather round me and whisper,
"The crazy monk has come back to play."
after begging all day
I lingered at the village temple.
Children gather round me and whisper,
"The crazy monk has come back to play."
My daughter, Susie, has returned to Seattle for a few weeks. Over the last few days, we've wandered galleries and bookstores, enjoying the familiarity that comes from 22 years of shared life.
But now Susie's her own person, slightly unfamiliar. She sees the world differently and offers easy disagreement. And sometimes she sees my strangeness and plays with it. Crazy old dad.
It's not a big deal. And yet . . . extraordinary!
Wow, true intimacy, I am glad you are coming closer Barry. I can say that my relationship with my son (he is 31 now) amazes me in its depth and open honesty. Keep up the good work and congratulation Dad, we all deserve a good relationship with our children.
Posted by: Paul Lynch, JDPSN | June 18, 2009 at 03:33 AM
Hello Barry,
Thank you. I remember that one of those old Zen guys said something like:
The dewdrop world,
Is the dewrop world...
And yet, and yet!
Yes.
And speaking of Ryokan:
Now when I take the Record of Eihei Dogen and examine it,
the tone does not harmonize well with usual beliefs.
Nobody has asked whether it is a jewel or a pebble.
For five hundred years it’s been covered with dust
just because no one has had an eye for recognizing dharma.
For whom was all this eloquence expounded?
Longing for ancient times and grieving for the present, my heart is exhausted.
From the poem, Reading The Record of Eihei Dogen, by Ryokan, The Roaring Stream, p.348
See, see? Ha!
Peace,
Ted
Posted by: Ted Biringer | June 18, 2009 at 04:48 AM
: )
Posted by: Val | June 18, 2009 at 05:48 AM
Thanks for your nice comment, Paul. Happy father's day!
I once wrote about Issa's poem, Ted: http://www.oxherding.com/my_weblog/2009/03/dewdrop-world.html
For whom was Dogen's eloquence expounded? Good question! Has it helped anyone?
Thank you, Val. I know that smile.
Posted by: Barry Briggs | June 18, 2009 at 06:15 AM
Zen guy?
Pure Land. Issa was devout Jodoshinshu.
But thank you Ted for another encounter with his beautiful and touching poem, and for introducing me to Reading The Record of Eihei Dogen. Thank you.
And thank you Barry for a great post and another chance to talk to Ted!
With palms together,
Marcus
Posted by: Marcus | June 18, 2009 at 07:49 AM
This post for me is sort of like looking at the afternoon clouds and guessing what the sunset will be like.
I hope your having a really nice time with your daughter. I can't wait for mine to be able to speak, even if she ends up thinking I'm crazy, too!
thank you!
Posted by: Joseph Bengivenni | June 18, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Lovely post, Barry! And thank you for sharing Ryokan's poetry, it's always so wonderful.
All the best!
Posted by: Uku | June 18, 2009 at 01:27 PM
Hi Marcus - Thanks for pointing out Issa's roots - which, as you know, run deeper than Jodo Shinshu or Zen! And thanks for your comment.
Hi Joseph - Ah, between the early morning sunrise and the dusky glow of sunset, there will be clear sky, clouds, hurricanes, tornadoes, drizzle, downpour, hail, blizzards, and clear sky again. Our children always change. How can we ever keep up?
Thank you, Uku, for your kind comment!
Posted by: Barry Briggs | June 18, 2009 at 02:10 PM
bows to all "crazy old dads"
~gassho~
Posted by: puerhan | June 18, 2009 at 02:11 PM
I dunno about your experience, Puerhan, but, for me, craziness seems inherent with "Dad-hood." I'm blaming it on my daughter.
Posted by: Barry Briggs | June 18, 2009 at 02:14 PM
Hello Barry,
Thank you.
About Dogen's eloquence, you wrote, "Has it helped anyone?"
I will never know. Everyone that gets it dies.
Peace,
Ted
Posted by: Ted Biringer | June 20, 2009 at 02:16 AM
Hi Ted. You make me laugh!
And now I wonder if you are already dead...
Cheers!
Barry
Posted by: Barry Briggs | June 20, 2009 at 01:18 PM