Sōyen Shaku Day
by tendo zenji
Sōyen Shaku (釈 宗演), January 10, 1860 – October 29, 1919
On Sōyen Shaku
Scolding words and iron first are yesterday’s dream.
Smiling face and kind speech are icicles in the sun.
What mountain guards my teacher’s bones?
The moonlight slants a bare branch across the window.
-Nyogen Sensaki, November 1st, 1953
from Like a Dream, Like a Fantasy: The Zen Teachings and Translations of Nyogen Senzaki
drafty mountain hut 