The 10 Ox Herding Pictures are a series of short poems and illustrations to describe the stages of a practitioner’s journey toward enlightenment and awakening. The drawing were created by Kakuan Shien (Chinese: 廓庵師遠, Kuoan Shiyuan), a 12th-century Chinese Zen (Chan) master in the Rinzai lineage.
The concept of “ox-herding” as a metaphor for spiritual training appeared in earlier Chinese texts. The ox symbolizes Buddha-nature, or the mind or self, while the herder represents the seeker or practitioner.
The Ten Stages
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Searching for the Ox – The seeker begins to sense the need for truth but hasn’t found the path.
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Seeing the Traces – Glimpses of truth appear; the path begins to emerge.
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Seeing the Ox – The true nature is partially seen; understanding deepens.
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Catching the Ox – The practitioner struggles to gain control over the mind.
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Taming the Ox – Through discipline, the mind becomes more peaceful and obedient.
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Riding the Ox Home – Harmony with the true self is achieved; inner joy arises.
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The Ox Transcended – Duality dissolves; the ox (symbol of self) disappears.
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Both Ox and Self Transcended – Emptiness realized.
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Returning to the Source – The world is seen anew in its original nature.
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Entering the Marketplace with Open Hands – The enlightened one re-enters the world, serving others with compassion and wisdom.