The Ten Ox Herding Pictures Overview

In this dharma talk, Sosan presents an overview of the 10 Oxford pictures. First appearing in 12th-century China, these pictures show a spiritual journey through the metaphor of finding, catching, and taming an ox. Sosan suggests that we use the pictures and accompanying verses by seeing each stage as full and complete. It may be tempting to set a goal of reaching stage 10, but instead we can invite ourselves to use the pictures to discover where we are on the path.

Note: Birdsong can be heard in the background of this talk.

Transcript

Named rivers.

Picture the ox is still but hidden behind a tree.

Hear the song of the night and ox forgotten.

Ride the ox.

I return to the origin back.

Barefooted and naked abreast.

Also I don't like it.

Do you know Davu?

I don't train in it.

We're bringing in the puppy just to say I don't want to whip you know I don't want us to whip our minds.