Topics Worth Investigating

  1. Compare the two sets of the ox-herding pictures. What are the essential differences of interpretation? Is the commentary to the first series a reliable guide to what you understand to be an effective way to progress in zen practice?

  2. Do you think that the ox-herding pictures are more representative of the Hinayana or Mahayana Buddhist traditions?

  3. Explain the characteristics of the progress toward enlightenment, step by step, as implied by the second series ox-herding pictures.

  4. If our Buddha-nature is already perfect, why is enlightenment sought?