The bridge bears the name “the Dragons’ Gate,” pointing to a famous legend. The story concerns a section of China’s Yellow River where the current is incredibly strong. Any fish able to swim upstream against the white water is rumored to turn instantly into a dragon. So too, the student of Zen in life’s currents.

 

The original French version of these pages, and many of its photographs, are by Eric Rommeluère, founder of the “Un Zen Occidental” Sangha in Paris, Dharma Heir of Nishijima Roshi and Dharma Brother to Jundo.