gate gate

the story

the carp had a long standing agreement with a turtle

the turtle who holds the world on his back

said, one day after a successful game of chance

craps, maybe, or poker after dinner

with a cigar i digress,

he said

oh Sariputra, the world honored one, says

enlightenment comes many ways

in a flash

like the schriven phoenix

zazen

realized simply

stumbled over in the dark even

like an award

if you, my friend fish, he said to the carp

should jump over the gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi soha

you will become a dragon.

after many attempts much focus and pure prayer from the heart

the little fish jumped over the gate gate in the heart sutra

what happened then said all the little boys and girls

and creatures listening

the carp was a carp no more

the carp was a dragon

and you know what else said the turtle

tayata om ...

and that is the end of this story.

-Sherab Wongmo

Photo Rob Ireton, Creative Commons license, http://www.flickr.com/photos/aoisakana/291995799/