Today the world begins the Lunar New Year and ushers in the Year of the Ox.
In the Zen parable of the Ten Bulls, an ox herder’s search for his lost ox serves as a parable for a practitioner’s pursuit of enlightenment.
And so, we pray:
Creative Mystery of the Universe, like the ox herder, as we search diligently for that bull, our true nature, may we be attentive to the signs and footprints of the bull.
May we seek him out when we catch a glimpse of his evasive presence.
May we not only observe, but may we have the courage and strength to catch the bull.
May we tame the bull with patience and determination.
May we ride the bull home attuned to the music of our success.
Having returned to our source, may we abandon the need to wrestle with the bull, and may we rest in serenity and repose.
In our transcendence of self, may we no longer need even enlightenment.
May we see that the river flows tranquilly and the flowers are red—without our intervention.
May we return to the world knowing All is One as we bring enlightenment to others.—AMEN.
(Zen Flesh, Zen Bones, A Collection of Zen and Pre-Zen Writings)
