These leaves are among the most beautiful in the grove, in that they are a selection of some of the most famous poems in Buddhism of all traditions. You will also find poems written by contemporary Buddhists walking the Middle Way and trying to communicate their experiences to others seekers. Generally, poems that are intended as teachings to guide others will by placed in the appropriate 'Writings section, whereas poems that are written as expressions of realisation will go here, but I will judge on a case by case basis on what seems more of a teaching rather than just poetic expression. Some poems do not have a designated title, in which case I have just assigned one that seemed appropriate
Finally, there is a selection of stories meant to inspire and enlighten those willing to listen with an open mind. Enjoy!
Zen has always been renowned for its great poets and unique way of expressing the nature of realisation. Here you will find a selection of enlightening Zen word-paintings, as written by some of the greatest Zen masters in history, portraying the true nature of things. Take your time, and enjoy this peaceful resting place in the Buddha's Grove of Dharma.
| Faith in Mind -
The Third Patriarch Seng Ts'an's legendary poem,
this masterpiece captures the essence of Zen in a direct
and simple style, yet is a complete guide to the path. A
must-read for everybody. The Ten Oxherding Pictures – One of the most famous poems in Buddhist literature, written by Kuoan, where he so picturesquely describes the stages of enlightenment. If you haven't read (and seen) this yet, do so now. Harmony of Difference & Equality - One of the two most essential and classic poems of Shitou Xiqian, one the the two greatest masters of his time (along with Mazu). Commentary on the Oxherding Pictures - Xu yun's Commentary to the Oxherding pictures is a series of poems which complements the above. Mountain Poems - A beautiful selection of mountain poems by master Shih-wu. A personal favourite. Cold Mountain - Selected Poems - A selection of poems by Han Shan (Cold Mountain), widely considered to be the greatest Ch'an poet ever Silly Mountain - Selected Poems - A selection of poems by Han Shan (Silly Mountain), the greatest Ch'an poet of the Ming dynasty. Poems by Master Hsu Yun - A series of fifty poems written by Hsu Yun, the greatest Chinese Ch'an Master of the 20th century. The Song of the Skin Bag - A long poem by Hsu Yun, the most famous Chinese Ch'an master of the 20th century. Verses of Ikkyu - A small collection of verses by Ikkyu. Poems by Basho - A selection of short poems by Basho. Poems of Ryokan - A series of small poems by the great Japanese Zen master Ryokan. |
Song of Mind -
a profound poem describing the direct way of the Oxhead
School of Ch'an by Nitou Fajung, founder of the
Oxhead School and a Dharma succesor to the Fourth
Partriarch Daoxin. Cheng-Tao-Ko [Jap. Shodoka] - Apart from the Third Patriarch's 'Faith in Mind', the Cheng-Tao-Ko is undoubtly considered to be the most powerful exposition of Zen in verse form. A true classic and another must-read, by Yung-chia Hsuan-chueh. Song of the Grass-Roof Hermitage - The other classic poem of Shitou Xiqian on his own original dwelling. Song of Zazen – Hakuin Zenji's famous poem about meditation. Guidepost of Silent Illumination - A poem on the essential way of Silent Illumination (Caodong), by Hongzhi Zhengjue, one of the great founding fathers of that tradition. The Buddha's Essential Functioning – By Hongzhi Zhengjue on the nature of Buddha. The Buddha's Essential Functioning - A poem complementing the above poem by Dogen Zenji, the founder of Soto Zen. The Mysterious - a poem by Seng Ts'an on the nature of reality. Flowers in our Eyes - By Guangzhou on the Buddhas of the ten directions. Emptiness - By Ryusai on the ungraspbility of true reality. 9 Poems by Dogen - A collection of nine small poems by Dogen. The Song of Pan Kou - A beautiful old Chinese poem by the Taoist poet Pan Kou. Climbing a Mountain, Crossing a River - An inspiration for the arousal of effort for the Way, by the Taoist Liu I-ming. |
A selection of some of the most celebrated poems from the Theravada tradition, many of these poems are widely cherished among other schools of Buddhism as well.
| The Dhammapada
– Perhaps THE most treasured item in all of Buddhist
literature, this work, repudetly poems uttered by the
Buddha himself at different times, has become a world
classic, and all the poems throughout this collection are
cherished among all the different Buddhist sects across
the world. If you're gonna read any Buddhist poetry, this
is it. Gemstones of the Good Dhamma – An anthology of verses taken from the Sutta Pitaka of the Pali Canon (thus, spoken by the Buddha). |
Matrceta's Hymn
to the Buddha – Considered by many to be the
greatest Buddhist poem in history, this poem, popular
among all Buddhist schools, can do nothing but inspire
great faith. The Ballad of Liberation from the Khandhas – A poem written by Phra Ajaan Mun Bhuridatta Mahathera, one of the most respected Buddhist monks in recent Thai history. The 3 Principles – An inspiring and enlightening poem by Lord Buddha himself. |
This section is dedicated to all non-Zen Mahayana poetry, mostly Dzogchen and Mahayamudra due to the popularity of these Vajrayana traditions. Their origin, both author and tradition, will of course be noted in any case.
| The Roar of
Suchness - A Tantric poem by Kankana, on his
realisation. Eight Flashing Lances - Gyalwa Götsangpa roars his lion's roar and proclaims his realisation in words. A Vajrayana poem. Seven Delights - Gyalwa Götsangpa on the seven delights that constitutes his path of Dzogchen. Saraha's Dohakosa: The Royal Song - Saraha's Vajrayana song on realisation and what fools do to obscure it for themselves. |
The Six Vajra
Verses - A Tantric Tibetan poem on the nature of
nondual reality. Free & Easy - A poem on the free and easy nature of the Way, by the Tibetan Lama Gendun Rinpoche. Melody of the Eight Types of Nonduality - The title speaks for itself. A Vajrayana song on various kinds of nonduality, by Gyalwa Götsangpa. The Song of the Five-Fold Profound Path of Mahamudra - Jigten Sumgon sings on what needs to be done to complete the path of Mahamudra. |
This section is devoted to living seekers of the Way, reflecting their own understanding of Buddhism and reality. Contributions by fellow Buddhists are always accepted. If you have a poem you'd like to share, submit it here.
| Beginners Mind
- A poem about cultivating the right frame of mind, by
the Japanese Zen master Shunryu Suzuki. Non-Effort - A beautiful poem by G. Bluestone about your own true nature, and how to be in accord with it. Empty Mind - A poem by G. Bluestone about mind and form. Remembering Wild Whispers – Gleason Pace is yearning to know what the universe is like. 2 Theravadin Poems – Two inspiring poems by Phra Ajahn Yantra Amaro of Thailand. 3 Theravadin Poems – Three poems by a Malaysian Buddhist monk. |
A Vajra Poem - By Jigdral Yeshe Dorje, who just
can't seem to get the path right. But maybe acknowledging
this standard is wisdom in itself... Song of the Diamond Heart - A poem of the Way by G. Bluestone. The Return - A poem about letting go written by G. Bluestone. Understanding - A poem with a deep implication... Or so we're told. By G. Bluestone. Standing on a Crossroad – The grey-zone between ordinary life and true practise, by Anders Honoré. In the Zen Garden at Three Wheels, London - ….Is a hanging inscription on the viewing platform wall….. Three Poems by Thich Nhat Hanh - Three poems by the famous Vietnamese Zen Master. |
| The Stories
of K'ang - A selection of short Zen stories written
by Jerry M. Pickard, these are true treasures.
Highly recommended. The Cucumber Sage - Words don't do this story justice so you'll have to read it yourself. Definitely check this one out. A Lesson from Ryokan - Your actions speaks more than a thousand words. The Empty Mirror - A noble woman seeks the Dharma beond the beautiful temple-facades. Devils don't work, you know? - A frightening reminder of the importance of watching over the mind at all times. Worse than a clown - Why many students of the Dharma are in fact worse than clowns. Free Bullshit - Why you can learn more from ignorant morons than from enlightened Buddhas. Sacrifice Everything; Gain Everything - How seekers of the way have existed from the dawn of creation. The Crystal King - A story on the inescapable effects of Karma. See also A Compilation of Koans from the Zen/Ch'an section for more stories. The Autobiography & Maxims of Master Han Shan - This insightful work details the life of one of the greatest Ch'an masters of the Ming dynasty and gives the reader a look of how Ch'an was practised in old China through the eyes of Han-shan himself. A great inspiration. In Word-format (282 KB) and also as a .zip document for faster download (97 KB). |
The
Autobiography of a Forest Monk - The venerable Ajahn
Tate tells about his long life as a Thai forest monk
in the Theravada tradition. (487 KB) Note: Because of the
size of the document, you can also download
it in zipped format (177 KB). In the Footsteps of the Buddha - Anne Cushman tells about her pilgrimage to the holy sites of the Buddha's life. The Buddha, the Dhamma and Me - Steven Gilman tells about his stay at a Theravada Buddhist monastery. The Jakata Birth Tales: The stories of the Buddha's past lives. Read them as bedtime stories for your children or yourself. These are genuine classics: Inspiring & Insightful Quotes: Not actual stories, but a collection of insightful quotes from various famous and not-so-famous persons throughout world history. Check these out: |
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