Jim O'Neil's photos with the keyword: Zen

Kobo Daishi was the founder of Shingon Buddhism and responsible for the 88 temple pilgrimage on Shikoku Island. It usually take a couple of months to complete the pilgrimage on foot. This statue of him is at Hantaji Temple, temple number 50 on the route.

Zen koan: A monk asked this question of the Sixth patriarch: "What is Zen?" the Patriarch replied : "When your mind is not dwelling on the dualism of good and evil, what is your original face before you were born?" Watercolor and Faber-Castell pens on 11 by 15 inch, 140 pound cold pressed.

Another little Zen Story; There were these two Buddhist monks, see. Let's call them Steve and Leroy. Well, Steve and Leroy were off on a pilgrimage of the 88 temples on Shikoku Island (An easy 4 months walk.). They came to a stream and a beautiful young lady was standing there all distraught, afraid to cross the rushing waters. Well, Steve picked her up, carried here across while still discussing the seventh sutra with Leroy. The monks walked on, Leroy's face getting darker and darker, Steven just going on with his philosophical discussion. Finally Leroy could hold it in no longer, he shouted; "Damnit Steve, you know we're Buddhist monks and members of a very strict order and that rule 272 says we can't touch women and here you picked up that lovely luscious beautiful young girl, with a rack to die for and you held her tightly in your arms and you carried her across the stream, how could you do such a thing and still call yourself a monk???" Steve replied: "Hey Leroy, I put her down ten miles back along the side of the stream, whatfor you still carrying her?" Faber-Castell pen/brushes on Bee's 'bogus rough' sketch paper. 9 by 18 inches.

Again: Zen koan: A monk asked this question of the Sixth patriarch: "What is Zen?" the Patriarch replied : "When your mind is not dwelling on the dualism of good and evil, what is your original face before you were born?" This one is sumi-e; Ink on 'rice' paper, unmounted, 14 by 20 inches