Hi everybody!
Ax from next Monday, I made the decision to comment on the the Ten Oxherding Pictures. Not an easy task and by far, and a very limited attempt. Anyway, for those interested in doing some homework (I know you are busy... but that should not take long, just a few minutes reading and a bit of reflecting), they may check this version transcribed by Paul Reps and Nyogen Senzaki (you will find the original in print in Zen Flesh, Zen Bones)
http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/ox.html
You may also have a look at this version on the website of an authentic Zen monk, Gabor Terebess trained in Japan with the verses composed of kakuan Zenji and a great teisho by KUBOTA Ji'un.
http://www.terebess.hu/english/oxherding.html
or the other version by Shubun,
http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/mzb/oxherd.htm
If you could at least read the verses and look at the pictures, it would be helpful to understand what I am going to try to convey. It will be my take, not a traditional one, and It might irritate a few scholars if they bump into my ramblings and mumblings...
Love to all
gassho
Taigu