Poetry Stones #1–3 永平寺門前：道元禅師御歌碑の内容①

The first monument is located in a corner of Eiheiji’s Chōei Dai-1 parking lot:

mizudori no

yuku mo kaeru mo

ato taete

saredomo michi wa

wasure zari keri

The waterfowl

whether coming or going

do not leave ripples,

but even as they paddle

they do not forget the way

Explanation:

Gliding through the water without leaving any trace, ducks and geese seem carefree. However, beneath the water they are constantly paddling, and they never lose sight of which direction they are going.

#2

The second monument is located just outside the entrance to Eiheiji Temple, next to a square plinth bearing a tall, stone stele on which the temple’s name is carved.

nigori naki

kokoro no mizu ni

sumu tsuki wa

nami mo kudakete

hikari to zo naru

Even the waves break

and turn to shimmering light

upon the pale moon

dwelling in the waters of

a pure and unclouded mind

Explanation:

When engaging in seated Zen practice, the mind should be calm and free of distractions, like a still pond that reflects the light of the moon.

#3

The third monument is tucked away in a garden in front of Gallery Neiha, a tile-roofed store that sells traditional crafts of the Echizen region (Fukui Prefecture):

fuyukusa mo

mienu yukino no

shirasagi wa

ono ga sugata ni

mi o kakushi keri

To a white heron

standing in a snowy field

it is not soon clear

where the white heron’s shape ends

and the withered grass begins

Explanation:

Standing alone in a field, the white heron can hardly be distinguished from the snowy landscape. Likewise, followers of the dharma should wholeheartedly engage in Buddhist practice until they realize their own Buddha-nature.