A poem

[Ryumon]

I'm reading Kaz Tanahashi's translation of Ryokan's poem. This one is quite profound. In fact, in twelve lines, it seems to sum up all the teachings of the Buddha.


Past has passed away.
Future has not arrived.
Present does not remain.
Nothing is reliable;
everything must change.
You hold on to letters and names in vain,
forcing yourself to believe in them.
Stop chasing new knowledge.
Leave old views behind.
Study the essential and then see through it.
When there is nothing left to see through,
then you will know your mistaken views.


from "Sky Above, Great Wind: The Life and Poetry of Zen Master Ryokan" by Kazuaki Tanahashi



Gassho,

Kirk

[Enjaku]

Nuff said.

Gassho,
Enjaku
Sat

[Koushu]

Excellent.

Gassho
拡手
Koushu

Satoday

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[Risho]

Thank you Kirk! I love Ryokan; funny how fitting that poem is for now; timeless wisdom.

Gassho,

Rish
-sattoday

[Jishin]

Beautiful.

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

[Jakuden]

Thank you! Went to sleep while chewing on this last night, especially the last five lines. It makes a good chant!

Gassho,
Jakuden
SatToday

[Seishin]

Simples [monk]

[Ansan]

Thank you Kirk.

Gassho,
Ansan
SatToday

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[Byokan]

Nice one, thank you Kirk.

Gassho
Byōkan
sat today

[Tai Shi]

Kirk, thank you so very much for "Master" Tanahashi's poem. Do you have more? These poems might deal directly with Buddhism, and so I like such poems very much, and perhaps others might post such poems. I have written several, and In the future folks might take a look at the thread "Big Poetry."

Tai Shi
std
Gassho