The old sage on the left represents an enlightened person, who has no attachment to a sense of self and lives only for the benefit of others. In one hand he carries a lantern, which symbolizes illuminating knowledge, and on his back he carries a large sack filled with useful things to share with others.
New buds and leaves are blossoming on the trees. This new growth represents a new life in the supra-mundane plane, or Lokuttarabhumi. A new life without the previous sense of self and attachment to the ox, or worldly happiness, has begun to flourish like young shoots growing from an old tree.
The circle represents voidness or emptiness. With no beginning and no end, the circle illustrates that emptiness is boundless—such is the quality of a mind totally free from clinging to a sense of self and free from attachment to the ox, or all worldly happiness. This is the end of the worldly stages of life.
The young man looks up at the sky. Now that he has had his fill of worldly happiness for a long time, he becomes indifferent to it and aspires for something greater. Looking to the heavens, he sets his sights up high until he forgets the ox—he forgets worldly happiness and everything he possesses, along with his sense of self.
Feeling contented and jubilant, the man joyfully plays his flute while riding the ox. Fully tamed and harmless, the ox walks cheerfully and seems to enjoy itself as well. This picture signifies that the man has achieved the greatest success in worldly life and has fulfilled his material desires. He has attained enormous wealth and great honor, and is surrounded by a large number of loved ones and supporters.
The young man has won the fight with the ox, which represents his triumph in life’s struggles. The ox has become submissive and obediently follows the man’s lead.
Here the man is catching the ox and wrestling with it. The expression on his face suggests that it is difficult and exhausting. This picture illustrates that one is bound to encounter difficulties, dangers, and fatigue when building and shaping one’s life.
The man has found some tracks on the ground. They are especially significant to the meaning of this picture. Although he is not certain what kind of tracks they are, he finds them interesting. He then decides to follow the tracks until he catches up with the animal that made them.
A young man is in the wilderness surrounded by mountains. He seems to know nothing about life and the world as his face expresses doubt, fear, and loneliness. He is standing awkwardly and searching aimlessly for something.
Catching or taming an ox is a metaphor for the life of a human being. It represents how the life of an ordinary person changes into a supra-mundane or liberated life, as explained in Zen Buddhist teachings.
