Wild Fox Zen
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Here are a couple verses Dogen offers for the Wild Fox koan in the 9th volume, #77, of Dogen’s Extensive Record:
[Saying that one of great] practice does not fall into this cause and effect,
The cave of demons appears, yet he is not [merely] an old fox.
Within the demon’s cave, with one turning [phrase],
Suddenly mountains and rivers transform and verify his future path.
Pity that [in the time of] Kashyapa, an honored buddha
Sank as a wild fox for five hundred lives.
His ears upset, hear a lion’s roar.
A tongue matured, cuts through the reckless crying.
And here’s a verse I offer back:
Walking in the mist, as the old fox once said,
and suddenly our clothing is penetrated through to the skin –
Cold! Wet!
Even last night’s anger
advances
transforms
verifies.
Even an ancient Buddha falls.
Sinks.
Descends.
The wild fox body comes crying back
and turns
turns
turns –
a transformation, bliss body.
turns
turns –
a transformation, bliss body.
A tongue for tasting and talking
matured through all the turnings of this life,
and your great life,
friend,
gives us a tender washing.
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