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.
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(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.
Way cool!
Posted by: David Ashton | July 12, 2016 at 03:32 PM