On July 27 a special buddhist teacher passed away while trying to save his drowning daughter, who also did not survive. Kobun Chino Otagawa Roshi was "a lineage holder of the Soto Zen school and a master calligrapher, his influence on our Shambhala community goes back many years. He personally taught oryoki and other forms from the Soto tradition which helped to form and enrich our Shambhala culture. He and his family have been residing at Shambhala Mountain Center and Roshi held the World Wisdom Chair at Naropa University." [1]

This poem was sent in to a list-serv I belong to in response to Roshi's passing. I thought it was a beautiful poem and am taking the liberty of posting it here (without permission).

The Perfect Guest

When we went to meet you, you were already there.
But when we arrived, they said you were just here.

You were the traveler, who had met all our grandfathers.

When we begged you for stories, you played with the sounds of the words.
When we stared, you made kabuki faces till we laughed.
When we showed you a picture, you turned the mirror so we could see.
When we poured you water, you divined a spring.
When we asked you to dinner, you prepared the meal.
When we folded down your bed, you helped us try on your robes.
When we opened your window, you built us a mountain shrine.
When you lit your pipe, the stars sparkled back.
When we knocked on your door, we found you down by the river.

Not remembering, you had endless time for us.
Not knowing, you blessed us with our own wisdom.
Not hesitating, you calmed our fears.
Being helpless, we found the possibilities in each moment.
Being defeated, we learned to rest in solitude.

You were the great joy in a child's life.
The gentle monster, at our side,
The old book that never needed to be opened,
The karmic magician hardly noticed.

We sat silently in your lap and fell peacefully awake.
Now you float eternally in our hearts.

— Chris Magnus

[1] David Brown