reaching for the moon

Mikô suigetsu o saguri,
Shi ni itaru made kyûketsu sezu.
Hôshu shinsen ni mossureba,
Jippô hikari kôketsu.


The monkey is reaching for the moon in the water
Until death overtakes him he'll never give up.
If he'd let go the branch and disappear in the deep pool,
The whole world would shine with dazzling pureness.



drawing by Hakuin Ekaku (1685-1768), hanging scroll, ink on paper.

If you would like to see more of Hakuin's drawings please refer to:
www.terebess.hu/zen/hakuin/hakuin9.html

If you would like to read Hakuin's writings please refer to this selection:
http://www.terebess.hu/zen/hakuin1.html