OX-HERDING PICTURES 4 / 10 revealed
4
Catching the Ox
The boy grasps a rope around the ox. The ox rears and pulls. Both strain against each other in the meadow.
With a tremendous struggle he is caught. His great will and power are inexhaustible. A whip and rope are necessary, lest he should stray off again.
The ox is caught but resists furiously. Long dwelling in the wilderness has made it wild. It charges to the highlands and loses itself in mist. The struggle between awakening and old habit is fierce.
Kakuan Shien · 12th century · rotation: weekly