and firmness and trust.
The 10 bull-herding pictures are a classic Zen mind training exercise. Contemplating these pictures brings surprise and insight. The idea dates back to the 12th century to the Chinese master Kakuan who based his drawings on earlier Taoist bulls. The Bull represents the seeker’s mind. The illustrations follow the steps of the journey to enlightenment. This simple tale has baffled and perplexed for thousands of years. In the final instance your own personal interpretation of the story it its real truth and meaning.
1 - Something is missing in my life.. I look at my life and I sense is something missing.
Take away the pleasures and the distractions and I am left with a strange feeling of emptiness. I know I am searching, searching for something as big and powerful as a Bull. I am restless. I walk the streets, follow rivers and climb mountains. I am tired, exhausted and my strength fails me.
I am alone in my confusion, locked into my prison of fear, desire, expectation, pride and judgements.
Where is this Bull that troubles me so much?
2 - I’ve found footprints... I have looked everywhere, up and down and beyond. My eyes must have been closed. I must have been blind.
Because now I look down and I see the Bull’s footprints right here where I stand! Amazing, now that I am aware of them, the prints are everywhere.
How could I have missed something so obvious?
Anyway, now all I have to do is follow the prints...
3 - I see the bull! How strange!
The wild deserts, the vast oceans, the ice-cold mountains and
raging rivers that once frightened me now seem so calm and peaceful.
I have passed through the Gate.
And there is the Bull!
Look at his size, look at these horns!
This Bull is powerful indeed!
4 - Getting hold of the bull... I don’t waste a moment.
I get hold of the Bull and hold him with all my strength.
He struggles. His power and his will seem inexhaustible.
He jerks and jumps and bucks. But I persevere.
Eventually he becomes thirsty and I give him water.
When he is hungry I feed him. He is calm now.
But I put a ring through his nose, just in case!
5 - Taming the Bull.... It takes time to train my Bull. He has his own will.
He tries to pull me off my path. I have to use the rope and the whip
to force him back. But eventually he abides and his gentle nature
takes over. I throw away the rope and the whip. They are no longer
needed. The Bull has accepted me as his master and obeys happily.
6 - Riding the Bull home... My Bull and I are happy and at peace with each other.
I jump on his back and play my flute.
Together we watch the clouds drift by and listen to the birds sing.
As we slowly make our way home.
7 - The Bull transcends... We are home.
I am calm and happy.
I watch the Bull as he feeds and rests.
Darkness comes, the moon glows. My mind reaches out.
All things seem to merge into one. Bull and I are no longer separate.
We have become ONE. There is no Bull and there is no me.
8 - Bull and I transcend... There is no striving there is no no-striving.
There is no me, there is no no-me.
All things merge into No-thing. No seeking, no thinking.
No opposites, no limitations. This is Buddha nature.
Nothing can be understood. Nothing can be explained or grasped.
It is the stage of transcendence.
9 - Returning to the source... What is, just is.
When the river flows, it just flows.
When the bird sings, it just sings.
Every thing and every creature lives and acts by its own nature.
This is the Truth as it has always been, from the beginning.
10 - Out into the world... I wander the world without want.
I have no needs. I am blissfully content.
I wander the streets, cross the deserts without seeking.
What footprints could there be to look for?
I eat when I’m hungry and drink when I’m thirsty.
Everyone I meet picks up on my happiness.