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Night Falls Upon The Shore
Old Orchard Beach, Maine USA
* * *
To See the Sunrise
A man is walking along out in the open country
Coming upon some monks working
It appears they’re building a chapel
He, being a religious man, is delighted
Looking at one of the men, the abbot, he says,
“It’s wonderful that you’re building a chapel!”
Says the abbot, “You’ve got it wrong. We’re tearing it down.”
“Oh, my! Why would you do that?”
“So, we can see the Sunrise (Sun rise).”
Ryokan (Japan, Zen Monk-Hermit, b. 1758)
Left behind by the thief—
The moon
In the window.
What do you hear? How does the story and poem speak to you?
* * *
*(C) Brian K. Wilcox, 2024. Permission is given to use photographs and writings with credit given to the copyright owner.
*Brian's book is An Ache for Union: Poems on Oneness with God through Love. The book is a collection of poems Brian wrote based on wisdom traditions, predominantly Christian, Buddhist, and Sufi, with extensive notes on the poetry's teachings and imagery.
*Taigu Ryokan. Dewdrops on a Lotus Leaf. Trans. John Stevens.
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