[This document can be acquired from a sub-directory coombspapers via anonymous FTP and/or COOMBSQUEST gopher on the node COOMBS.ANU.EDU.AU] The document's ftp filename and the full directory path are given in the coombspapers top level INDEX file] [This version: 28 July 1993] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- TITLE: Ascending the Mountain AUTHOR: Bernard Tetsugen GLASSMAN SOURCE: The Ten Directions, Summer/Fall 1982, Vol 3, No.2, pp 16 NOTES: Poems composed by B.T. Glassman, Sensei, on the occasion of the ceremony of "Ascending the Mountain" (Shisanshiki), on the 6 June 1982, during which he was installed as abbot of Mount Doji, Zenshin Temple of the Zen Community of New York. Standing alone on a solitary peak, The gateless gate crumbles. Moving straight up the windy road, Heaven and earth are walking as one. Buddhas intimate with buddhas- What need is there for old medicine bottles? Then thousand blossoms perfume the vast sky. Like this, like this ! Protecting the Dharma, purifying beings, Dragon-heads search for water. Nothing to protect, no one to purify- uphold the true Way. Eyebrow-to-eyebrow, Karmic relations everywhere. Three bows, ten thousand bows- White plum blossoms fill the air. The diamond sword flashes; The shadow beckons. The only path is descending the mountain. The gnarled roots are ruthlessly exposed. Before the heavens were created, this seal is. After the heavens are destroyed, this seal is. A formless field of benefaction, Enveloping the worlds of liberation. Who has transmitted it? Who is not embraced by it? At play in the field of the Buddha, A solitary eagle circles the big mountain, Sheer cliffs afford no resting place; It is time to ascend- Cloud stepped upon cloud. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- end of file