The journey into the world of Zen is a long and painstaking process that can take most of one’s life. There is no way to put this journey of the mind into words. It has many times however been put into pictorial representation. One example of this would be K’uo-an’ Ten Oxherding pictures.
In K’uo-an’s Ten Oxherding pictures the ox represents the mind. The man is trying to tame and be one with the ox (mind). In the pictures there are only ten steps, the actual training of Zen has many more steps that are too
complex for the metaphor of the ox. Each one of the pictures represents a different task you have to overcome mentally to achieve Zen. For example the first task searching for the ox. This represents one’s searching for the mental freedom that is needed to start the journey into the world of Zen. The next step is finding and following the tracks of the ox. This is someone who is just starting to follow the ways and teachings of Zen.
Step three is a more difficult step, it is called seeing the ox. This would represent someone who knows they are about to make a step in their life that they cannot go back on,they are essentially leaving their old life.
The fourth and fifth steps are also difficult, theyare catching the ox and caring for the ox. These are metaphors for finding and learning how to use your new mind and your new beliefs. The next is riding the ox home, in order to do this you need to have a mind free of all demons and impure thoughts. In the picture entitled ox forgotten man alone, the man has an empty mind he has given everything up and is only body. The eighth step is called no sign of man or ox, their is a blank sky, perhaps how heaven would look. In the picture called "Returning to the source" there is nothing but nature. This is because the man is no longer a part of reality he is immortal and sees only nature. The last picture "Entering the Marketplace with Giving Hands" this shows the man who is giving to others and has no concern for personal well being or material things.
Although not explainable with words the Zen training is still considered a to be a high honor. The Ten Oxherding Pictures although very brief and condensed help us understand the different levels of Zen. It has been said by Zen masters that it would take more than two life times to accomplish every step that is depicted in the Ten Oxherding Pictures. Young students who want to enter the world of Zen must be very dedicated and be ready to give up a lot of worldly possessions and beliefs.