Swordmanship

This poem is the history of zen and the sword

The sword is the soul of the samurai.therefore,when the samurai is the subject the sword inevitably comes with him.the sword here represents the force of intuitive or instinctual directness,which unlike the intellect does not divide itself.blocking its own passageway.

Zen speaks of the sword of life and the sword of death,and it is the work of great zen master to know when and how to wield either of

Abandon all the arts, you have learned in swordmanship.and in one gulp, drink up all the waters of the west river.

I thought all the time,I was learning how to win.but I realize now to win is no more no less than to lose.

In the well not dug, In the water not filling it.A shadow is reflected And a man with no form,no shadow is drawing water from the well.

A man with no form no shadow turns into rice pounder,when he pounds rice.

I wish to give futher quotation illuminate of the intimate relationship between zen and the sword.concerning the relationship between zen and the art of swordmanship.

Next I will share the history of zen and the zen monks.

Thanks everyone and always tc...❤❤