[Zen] Seppuku Poem

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The sharp-edged sword, unsheathed Cuts through the void-- Within the raging fire A cool wind blows   Shiaku Sho'on Zen monk, former Samurai; whose eldest son had committed seppuku after his defeat in battle, wrote this tanka poem before being beheaded by his youngest son, who then also committed seppuku. As a retired Samurai, Shiaku had not participated in the battle, but because his two sons were going to commit ritual suicide, he requested to die at the hands of his youngest son Shiro because he did not want to live after they had died. Current Book Discussion: Appreciate Your Life by Taizan Maezumi Roshi SPONSORED LINKS Zen buddhism Zen practice Theravada buddhism Tibetan buddhism Zen alarm clock Zen garden YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS  Visit your group "ZenForum" on the web.    To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:  [EMAIL PROTECTED]    Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.