Buddhist Story: 10 Bulls
The ten steps to realization of one’s true nature. An 0x-herder represents the seeker. The ox represents our true nature or the Ground of existence.
We search for enlightenment. In this 12th century story by Chinese master Guo-an Shi-yuan. We are represented by the farmer/boy and enlightenment by the ox. There are ten steps in the search.
- Seeking the ox
- Finding the footprints
- Glimpsing the ox
- Seizing the ox
- Taming the ox
- Riding the ox home
- Ox forgotten, person remaining
- Both forgotten
- Returning to the source
- Entering the Marketplace
01-search-for-the-bull
02-discover-the-footprints
03-perceiving-the-bull
04-catching-the-bull
05-taming-the-bull
06-riding-the-bull-home
07-the-bull-transcended
08-both-bull-and-self-transcended
09-reaching-the-source
10-in-the-world
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By Thomas Schoch - own work at http://www.retas.de/thomas/travel/vietnam2004/index.html, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
The boy-on-the-ox is a motif seen everywhere.
The boy-on-the-ox is a motif seen everywhere.