Yunyan asked Daowu, “How does the bodhisattva of great compassion use all those hands
and eyes?” Daowu answered, “It’s like feeling behind you for a pillow in the middle of the night.”
“I understand.”
“What do you understand?”
“The whole body is hands and eyes.”
“That’s very well expressed, but it only says 80%.”
“What would you say, older brother?”
“All through the body are hands and eyes.”
MiscAllison Atwill, “The Well,” 2012. Acrylic on birch panel with copper, gold, and silver leaf, 28″ x 28″.
In a well that has not been dug
Water ripples from a source that does not flow.
Someone without shadow or form
Is drawing water from the well.
Previous
Hands and Eyes