白隠慧鶴 Hakuin Ekaku (1686-1769)
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渡橋 Crossing the Bridge

人自橋上過　
橋流水不流

人、橋上より過ぐれば、
橋は流れて水は流れず。

Hito, kyojo  yori sugureba
Hashi wa nagarete mizu wa nagarezu.

When the man crosses the bridge
The bridge flows and the water stands still

In Hakuin's Oradegama I, the following passage is found:

If anyone should wish to test the authenticity of his seeing into his own true nature, or to examine the quality of the power he has attained, let him first with deep respect read the verses of Fu Ta-shih. Why is this so? A man of old has said, “Those who have not yet gained understanding should study the meaning rather than the verses themselves. Those who have gained understanding should study the verses rather than the meaning. The verses say: “Empty-handed, but holding a hoe; Afoot, yet riding a water buffalo. When the man has crossed over the bridge, it is the bridge that flows and the water that stands still.” (Philip Yampolsky, The Zen Master Hakuin; pp. 59-60.)

“Empty-handed, but holding a hoe;
Afoot, yet riding a water buffalo.
When the man has crossed over the bridge,
It is the bridge that flows and the water that stands still.”

This, truly, is to have forgotten self and other.