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These pictures originated in China in the 12th century during the Sung Dynasty. In these pictures, the herder is you, the person on the spiritual quest and the ox is the mind. |
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The
herder is searching for the ox. It is the beginning of the spiritual
search, a time for a change of lifestyle and the eradication of bad
habits. Sometimes the Path is difficult to find.
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He
finds evidence of the ox. The struggle is difficult and success seems
far away, however, a murmur of achievement is heard faintly.
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He
sees the ox for the first time. The way appears and he recognises it
as right, even though it is still unclear.
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He
catches the ox. It is difficult to tame. The mind wanders.
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He
tames the ox. The mind is unruly but by perseverance the ox (mind) follows
by itself.
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| You may notice that the ox is changing colour from dark to light. The underlying idea is that the mind is naturally pure but is polluted by extraneous impurities. Through discipline and meditation practice it is cleansed and regains its original nature. |
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The
herder mounts the ox. The mind has submitted
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He
transcends the ox and stands alone. The herder pays no further attention
to the ox.
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The
herder and the ox are transcended, neither matter any more. This is
the moment of Awakening. The circle is the symbol "Il Won", the Dharmakaya
Buddha, the essence of enlightenment.
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| He reaches the origin. Returning to the origin he 'recognises' what he knew before. |
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| He returns to the world where he lives to teach others. |
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This model of the
"Ten Ox herding Pictures" has its roots in the Pali commentaries where
it says:
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| "Just as a man would tie to a post a calf that should be tamed, Even so here should one tie one's own mind tight to the object of mindfulness". |
