The Ox Herder: A classic Zen Buddhist Tale on the Spiritual Journey

Reflections on the Zen Buddhist Parable – The Ox -Herder

SATSANG – Seeking Together – Helping to Create – A Planetary Vision – A Universal Heart

Satsang

Seeking together

Helping to Create

A Planetary Vision

A Universal Heart

The Ox-Herder :- A Parable from Zen Buddhism

In most Spiritual Traditions, our time in this body-psyche life, is often described as a ‘ Journey’. And, like all journeys, it has a beginning point and a ‘goal’ Another important aspect of our human traditions, is the place of story, parables, poetry and pictures and how these can often express concepts, feelings and emotions that are somehow beyond our normal capacity to adequately outline.

Now over the past many years we have heard Ishpriya talk about this and how one particular example; , from the Zen Buddhist Tradition, can be so helpful. One of her recorded talks in a series with the title ‘The Heart of Awareness’. One of the twelve themes has the title ‘Return to the Wine Shops’. In this recorded talk, Ishpriya briefly outlines a famous Buddhist Story The Ox-Herder . This is told in the format of ten pictures, each with an accompanying story, normally is the form of a poetic verse. It is a story about the spiritual journey, its signposts and landmarks, its trials and tribulations and its final goal. We (Angela and Peter Creagh) have both had the joy and privilege to have attended several Pravachans, over the years where Ishpriya has

returned to this lovely Zen Buddhist parable. Recently, during the Summer Satsang at Die Quelle (2008) she again referred to the 10 stages outlined in the story. Accordingly, the following pages give an outline of the Ox-herder Story and contain some notes which are based on our experiences. These notes, to the best of our knowledge, convey the spirit of Ishpriya’s comments on this story. They are reflections based on our current understanding of the parable. Parables are like jewels are many faceted. Each time we return to them another aspect is revealed., But first some general background information on the origins and content of the story.



THE OX- HERDER – A PARABLE IN TEN PICTURES

This is a Spiritual Masterpiece from the Zen Buddhist Tradition. It comprises ten pictures which represent a parable of the spiritual journey. They are normally accompanied by ten poems reputably composed by the Chinese monk K’uo-an Shih-yuan in the 12thth century c.e. or in the 18th Century of the Buddhist Tradition. In this parable, the Ox represents our ‘true nature’ Initially, for most of us , the ‘Ox’ is our untamed and unruly mind . The ten pictures, and the accompanying poems, symbolise the ten stages that the individual passes through on the path to ‘enlightenment’. Or in Buddhist terms , nirvana. There are many different sets of pictures and often different accompanying verses. The one shown on the following pages is one used by Ishpriya and is very popular. In this version the individual spiritual seeker ( the Ox-Herder) is portrayed as a little boy. Before viewing the ten pictures and comments, several points are made. The ‘Ox ‘ is our true nature, a nature which we are often unaware of. The ‘little boy’ is ourselves – paradoxically lost to our true ( Ox ) nature but also at a deeper ‘felt sense’ level aware that we need to find the ‘ Ox’ The ‘rope’ and the ‘whip’ , used by the boy , are the means which we think and feel are necessary to ‘ capture’ and then ‘tame’ the unruly ‘Ox’ Although, the Journey is shown in ten pictures as a pursuit, capture , taming and bringing home of the ‘ Ox’ . In truth the Journey is one deep within. It is a journey to the very centre of our being; one that takes us back to our Source in the Cave of our Hearts. Each picture and commentary requires long and constant reflection. In Zen Buddhism it is often given by a Master to a disciple as a means of deep reflection. The ultimate paradox of this ‘search’ is this; the ‘Ox’ was never lost, we are merely unaware of its presence. ! We hope that the pictures and notes will be both of benefit and of interest. Love – Peace – Joy on the Journey and watch out for the ‘ Ox ‘! With much Love and Gratitude to Ishpriya.



THE OX-HERDER – A PARABLE OF THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY

1. UNAWARE BUT SEEKING !

The ‘little boy’ is enjoying himself in the world. But somehow he is awakening to the feeling that something is missing. There is a dissatisfaction within and he realises that he needs to begin to look around for that something. He ‘knows’ has been sent here for a purpose We are all seeking because deep inside is that hidden desire for unity with the Mystery. Once again, the paradox is that nothing has been lost, excepting our lack of attention which results in us ‘thinking’ we have lost the Ox

2. SEARCHING & FINDING

TRACES of the Ox

The boy’s attention is attracted this deep inner dissatisfaction. He then remembers that he is here to find the Ox. He looks around and sees the footprints of the Ox ( our human nature) and realises that he is meant to catch this and bring it back home. Note he has a whip and tether in his hands

This picture is as reminder to us of our need to find ways of remembering. This will differ for each of us. Some will find forms of prayer, others reading Scripture , yet others walking in Nature etc There I s NO definite one way to finding and remembering the ‘Ox’ . Therefore it is important for each of us to develop and nurture our Sadhana ( Spiritual Practices)., Otherwise we may fall asleep and fail to see the ‘traces of the Ox’



3. SEEING THE OX

The ‘little boy’ catches sight of the tail end of the Ox , who seems ‘caught’ in the brambles of a bush with no place to turn. This is just as we can ‘catch sight’ of our untamed human nature. So, he casts aside the whip and tether and prepares to catch the Ox. So we can now perceive the ‘Ox’. It is real and not just some traces in the earth. So we are losing our illusions and beginning to grasp hold of Reality. So by searching with ‘open eyes’ we can at last ‘see’ the Ox.

4. CATCHING & STRUGGLING

WITH THE OX

The boy holds on to the tail of the Ox and a fierce struggle ensues. He tries valiantly and with great effort to control the Ox (Just as we try to control our minds and human nature) . The real question at times is ;- Who is pulling who ? Who is really in control ? ! Catching the OX requires perseverance, discipline and practice ( Back to Sadhana) In truth, now we have found the Ox, he can never be quite so lost again. Also, the struggle is a struggle with the self



5. TAMING THE OX

The boy eventually realises that he must put a rope through the ring on the Ox’s nose and then he can begin to control the Ox and lead him towards home. (This is a state of minimum control) . However, the Ox can still pull away.

This stage requires us to focus our attention and thus we can ‘lead’ the Ox home. . Note that the ‘whip’ is not required and that a gentle leading of the Ox is all that is required. This is a sign that our ‘essential self’ is by nature gentle and does not want to struggle. The ‘struggle’ is caused by our tendency to separate parts of our self. In other words our tendency towards dualism. In essence we are only one , hence the Sanskrit term Advaita – non-dualism

6. RIDING CONFIDENTLY HOME

The Ox is now tamed and the boy sits on it and begins to ride the Ox home. He is so happy and confident that he is playing a flute , sure in the knowledge that the Ox ‘knows’ its way home. There is certainty on the path Thus with gentle and persistent ‘practice’ the struggle ends. We can let the Ox lead us towards the Source ( our true Home) So we begin to become one with our true nature and we are in harmony with our self, the Ox and our surroundings



7. SITTING STILL DOING NOTHING –

We transcend the Ox

The ‘little boy’ sits quietly outside his hut. The Ox is not in view as it is ‘forgotten’ and not important. Living in the present – moment by moment. In the words of Thich Nhat Hanh. ‘Sitting Still , Doing nothing. Springs comes and the grass grows’ All is one and has been so all the time. This we now realise. Note also that there are no clouds and thus the moon , which has always been there, is revealed

8. FORGETTING ALL –EMPTINESS

Both Ox and Self are now transcended

The boy, the scene, the Ox - all is gone ! All that remains is that Emptiness which is truly Fullness! A true ‘Nirvana’ is reached. There is emptiness of desires, distractions and a realisation of the Fullness of Ultimate Reality Finally, we realise that ‘ All is one’. All sinks into Nothing. All is interdependent and part of the cosmos. No struggle, no goal, just resting with the Mystery



9. RETURNING TO THE

SOURCE

The world returns but the boy (who represents us) sees it differently. He is in harmony with the World.. His sense perceptions wake up! And he sees the real nature of existence.

Now the world is really seen and the flowers are red and the trees are green!

We have returned to our Source. This is a Source of pure, clean and Living Water. This pure water is now available. In short we have unblocked the weeds of life that stop us from drinking from these pure living waters

10. RETURNING TO THE WINE

SHOP – THE MARKET PLACE

The boy is now a Pilgrim (a Traveller) in the world – hence the stick and the water pot. He is going back to the city. An awakened soul who, with giving hands, wants to share this joy in and with great joy. He wants to share this truth with the people! .He meets an Old Man (Buddha). The boy is returning – going to the wine shops. An awakened soul who, with giving hands, wants to share this joy .To change the wine ( our false perceptions of life) into the new wine – the pure Living Waters of Life. This is symbolic of consciousness. The boy is helping to clear the blurring false perceptions that ‘block’ our consciousness and our ability to recognise the true nature of life.

Documents

The Ox Herder: A classic Zen Buddhist Tale on the Spiritual Journey