Explore popular quotes and sayings by a Japanese monk Ikkyu.
Last updated on December 21, 2024.
Ikkyū was an eccentric, iconoclastic Japanese Zen Buddhist monk and poet. He had a great impact on the infusion of Japanese art and literature with Zen attitudes and ideals, as well as on Zen itself, often breaking religious taboos with his stance against celibacy.
Look at the cherry blossoms!
Their color and scent fall with them,
Are gone forever,
Yet mindless
The spring comes again.
I and other humans no difference.
From the world of passions returning to the world of passions:
There is a moment's pause.
If it rains, let it rain, if the wind blows, let it blow.
My real dwelling
Has no pillars
And no roof either
So rain cannot soak it
And wind cannot blow
it down.
Watching my four year old daughter dance
I cannot break free of her.
Many paths lead from the foot of the mountain, but at the peak we all gaze at the single bright moon.
Become a Buddha? The mind can't do it. The body can't do it. Only what can't become a Buddha becomes a Buddha.
We must become what we were
Before we were born
The salvation of birds and beasts, oneself included - this is the object of Shakyamuni's religious austerities.
Learn how to read the love letters sent by the wind and rain, the snow and moon.
Like vanishing dew,
a passing apparition
or the sudden flash
of lightning -- already gone --
thus should one regard one's self.
You do this, you do that You argue left, you argue right You come down, you go up This person says no, you say yes Back and forth You are happy You are really happy
Don't read the sutras - practice meditation. Don't take up the broom - practice meditation. Don't plant tea seeds - practice meditation.
Having no destination, I am never lost.
Break open
A cherry tree
And there are no flowers;
But the spring breeze
Brings forth myriad blossoms.
Break open the cherry tree: where are the blossoms? Just wait for spring time to see how they bloom.
The tree is stripped,
All color, fragrance gone,
Yet already on the bough,
Uncaring spring!
Eight inches strong, it is my favourite thing;
If I'm alone at night, I embrace it fully -
A beautiful woman hasn't touched it for ages.
Within my fundoshi there is an entire universe!