Reflections on the Zen Buddhist Parable – The Ox -Herder

Seeking together
Helping to Create
A Planetary Vision

Satsang
A Universal Heart

The Ox-Herder :- A Parable from Zen Buddhism

In most Spiritual Traditions, our time in this body-psyche life, is often described as a
‘ Journey’. And, like all journeys, it has a beginning point and a ‘goal’ Another
important aspect of our human traditions, is the place of story, parables, poetry and
pictures and how these can often express concepts, feelings and emotions that are
somehow beyond our normal capacity to adequately outline.

Now over the past many years we have heard

Ishpriya talk about this and how one particular
example; , from the Zen Buddhist Tradition, can be
so helpful. One of her recorded talks in a series
with the title ‘The Heart of Awareness’. One of the
twelve themes has the title ‘Return to the Wine
Shops’. In this recorded talk, Ishpriya briefly
outlines a famous Buddhist Story The Ox-Herder .
This is told in the format of ten pictures, each with
an accompanying story, normally is the form of a
poetic verse. It is a story about the spiritual journey,
its signposts and landmarks, its trials and
tribulations and its final goal.

We (Angela and Peter Creagh) have both had the

joy and privilege to have attended several
Pravachans, over the years where Ishpriya has
returned to this lovely Zen Buddhist parable. Recently, during the Summer Satsang
at Die Quelle (2008) she again referred to the 10 stages outlined in the story.

Accordingly, the following pages give an outline of the Ox-herder Story and contain
some notes which are based on our experiences. These notes, to the best of our
knowledge, convey the spirit of Ishpriya’s comments on this story. They are
reflections based on our current understanding of the parable. Parables are like
jewels are many faceted. Each time we return to them another aspect is revealed.,

But first some general background information on the origins and content of the story.

SATSANG – Seeking Together – Helping to Create – A Planetary Vision – A Universal Heart

 Reflections on the Zen Buddhist Parable – The Ox -Herder

THE OX- HERDER – A PARABLE IN TEN PICTURES

This is a Spiritual Masterpiece from the Zen Buddhist Tradition. It comprises ten
pictures which represent a parable of the spiritual journey. They are normally
accompanied by ten poems reputably composed by the Chinese monk K’uo-an Shih-
yuan in the 12thth century c.e. or in the 18th Century of the Buddhist Tradition.

In this parable, the Ox represents our ‘true nature’ Initially, for most of us , the
‘Ox’ is our untamed and unruly mind . The ten pictures, and the accompanying
poems, symbolise the ten stages that the individual passes through on the path to
‘enlightenment’. Or in Buddhist terms , nirvana. There are many different sets of
pictures and often different accompanying verses. The one shown on the following
pages is one used by Ishpriya and is very popular. In this version the individual
spiritual seeker ( the Ox-Herder) is portrayed as a little boy.

Before viewing the ten pictures and comments, several points are made.

The ‘Ox ‘ is our true nature, a nature which we are often unaware of.

The ‘little boy’ is ourselves – paradoxically lost to our true ( Ox ) nature but also at a
deeper ‘felt sense’ level aware that we need to find the ‘ Ox’

The ‘rope’ and the ‘whip’ , used by the boy , are the means which we think and feel
are necessary to ‘ capture’ and then ‘tame’ the unruly ‘Ox’

Although, the Journey is shown in ten pictures as a pursuit, capture , taming and
bringing home of the ‘ Ox’ . In truth the Journey is one deep within. It is a journey to
the very centre of our being; one that takes us back to our Source in the Cave of our
Hearts.

Each picture and commentary requires long and constant reflection. In Zen
Buddhism it is often given by a Master to a disciple as a means of deep reflection.
The ultimate paradox of this ‘search’ is this; the ‘Ox’ was never lost, we are merely
unaware of its presence. !

We hope that the pictures and notes will be both of benefit and of interest.

Love – Peace – Joy on the Journey and watch out for the ‘ Ox ‘!

With much Love and Gratitude to Ishpriya.

SATSANG – Seeking Together – Helping to Create – A Planetary Vision – A Universal Heart

 Reflections on the Zen Buddhist Parable – The Ox -Herder

THE OX-HERDER – A PARABLE OF THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY

1. UNAWARE BUT SEEKING !

The ‘little boy’ is enjoying himself in the
world. But somehow he is awakening to
the feeling that something is missing.
There is a dissatisfaction within and he
realises that he needs to begin to look
around for that something. He ‘knows’
has been sent here for a purpose

We are all seeking because deep inside is

that hidden desire for unity with the
Mystery. Once again, the paradox is that
nothing has been lost, excepting our lack
of attention which results in us ‘thinking’
we have lost the Ox

2. SEARCHING & FINDING

TRACES of the Ox
The boy’s attention is attracted this deep
inner dissatisfaction. He then remembers
that he is here to find the Ox. He looks
around and sees the footprints of the Ox (
our human nature) and realises that he is
meant to catch this and bring it back home.

Note he has a whip and tether in his hands

This picture is as reminder to us of our need

to find ways of remembering. This will differ
for each of us. Some will find forms of
prayer, others reading Scripture , yet others
walking in Nature etc

There I s NO definite one way to finding and

remembering the ‘Ox’ . Therefore it is
important for each of us to develop and
nurture our Sadhana ( Spiritual Practices).,
Otherwise we may fall asleep and fail to see
the ‘traces of the Ox’

SATSANG – Seeking Together – Helping to Create – A Planetary Vision – A Universal Heart

 Reflections on the Zen Buddhist Parable – The Ox -Herder

3. SEEING THE OX
The ‘little boy’ catches sight of the tail end of
the Ox , who seems ‘caught’ in the brambles
of a bush with no place to turn.

This is just as we can ‘catch sight’ of our

untamed human nature. So, he casts aside
the whip and tether and prepares to catch
the Ox.

So we can now perceive the ‘Ox’. It is real

and not just some traces in the earth. So we
are losing our illusions and beginning to
grasp hold of Reality.

So by searching with ‘open eyes’ we can at

last ‘see’ the Ox.

4. CATCHING & STRUGGLING

WITH THE OX

The boy holds on to the tail of the Ox and a

fierce struggle ensues. He tries valiantly and
with great effort to control the Ox (Just as
we try to control our minds and human
nature) .

The real question at times is ;- Who is

pulling who ? Who is really in control ? !

Catching the OX requires perseverance,

discipline and practice ( Back to Sadhana)

In truth, now we have found the Ox, he can

never be quite so lost again. Also, the
struggle is a struggle with the self

SATSANG – Seeking Together – Helping to Create – A Planetary Vision – A Universal Heart

 Reflections on the Zen Buddhist Parable – The Ox -Herder

5. TAMING THE OX
The boy eventually realises that he must put
a rope through the ring on the Ox’s nose and
then he can begin to control the Ox and lead
him towards home. (This is a state of
minimum control) . However, the Ox can still
pull away.

This stage requires us to focus our attention

and thus we can ‘lead’ the Ox home. . Note
that the ‘whip’ is not required and that a
gentle leading of the Ox is all that is
required. This is a sign that our ‘essential
self’ is by nature gentle and does not want to
struggle. The ‘struggle’ is caused by our
tendency to separate parts of our self. In
other words our tendency towards dualism.

In essence we are only one , hence the

Sanskrit term Advaita – non-dualism

6. RIDING CONFIDENTLY HOME

The Ox is now tamed and the boy sits on it
and begins to ride the Ox home. He is so
happy and confident that he is playing a
flute , sure in the knowledge that the Ox
‘knows’ its way home. There is certainty on
the path

Thus with gentle and persistent ‘practice’

the struggle ends. We can let the Ox lead us
towards the Source ( our true Home)

So we begin to become one with our true

nature and we are in harmony with our self,
the Ox and our surroundings

SATSANG – Seeking Together – Helping to Create – A Planetary Vision – A Universal Heart

 Reflections on the Zen Buddhist Parable – The Ox -Herder

7. SITTING STILL DOING NOTHING –

We transcend the Ox

The ‘little boy’ sits quietly outside his hut.

The Ox is not in view as it is ‘forgotten’ and
not important. Living in the present –
moment by moment. In the words of Thich
Nhat Hanh. ‘Sitting Still , Doing nothing.
Springs comes and the grass grows’

All is one and has been so all the time. This

we now realise. Note also that there are no
clouds and thus the moon , which has
always been there, is revealed

8. FORGETTING ALL –EMPTINESS

Both Ox and Self are now transcended
The boy, the scene, the Ox - all is gone !
All that remains is that Emptiness which is
truly Fullness! A true ‘Nirvana’ is reached.
There is emptiness of desires, distractions
and a realisation of the Fullness of Ultimate
Reality

Finally, we realise that ‘ All is one’. All sinks

into Nothing. All is interdependent and part
of the cosmos. No struggle, no goal, just
resting with the Mystery

SATSANG – Seeking Together – Helping to Create – A Planetary Vision – A Universal Heart

 Reflections on the Zen Buddhist Parable – The Ox -Herder

9. RETURNING TO THE
SOURCE
The world returns but the boy (who
represents us) sees it differently. He is
in harmony with the World.. His sense
perceptions wake up! And he sees the
real nature of existence.

Now the world is really seen

and the flowers are red
and the trees are green!

We have returned to our Source.

This is a Source of pure, clean and
Living Water. This pure water is
now available. In short we have
unblocked the weeds of life that
stop us from drinking from these
pure living waters

10. RETURNING TO THE WINE

SHOP – THE MARKET PLACE
The boy is now a Pilgrim (a Traveller) in the
world – hence the stick and the water pot.
He is going back to the city. An awakened
soul who, with giving hands, wants to share
this joy in and with great joy. He wants to
share this truth with the people!

.He meets an Old Man (Buddha). The boy is

returning – going to the wine shops. An
awakened soul who, with giving hands,
wants to share this joy .To change the wine (
our false perceptions of life) into the new
wine – the pure Living Waters of Life. This is
symbolic of consciousness.

The boy is helping to clear the blurring false

perceptions that ‘block’ our consciousness
and our ability to recognise the true nature
of life.

SATSANG – Seeking Together – Helping to Create – A Planetary Vision – A Universal Heart