Ryōkan Quotes

I have nothing to report, my friends. If you want to find the meaning, Stop chasing after so many things.

Someday I'll be a weather-beaten skull resting on a grass pillow,
Serenaded by a stray bird or two.
Kings and commoners end up the same,
No more enduring than last night's dream.

See and realize that this world is not permanent. Neither late nor early flowers will remain.

It's a pity, a gentleman in refined retirement composing poetry: He models his work on the classic verse of China. And his poems are elegant, full of fine phrases. But if you don't write of things deep in your own heart, What's the use of churning out so many words?

He never preached or exhorted, but his life radiated purity and joy, he was a living sermon.

Je ne sais pourquoi
Mon cœur est inquiet ;
Il m'empêche de dormir ;
Demain,
C'est le printemps !

The rain has stopped, the clouds have drifted away, and the weather is clear again. If your heart is pure, then all things in your world are pure. Abandon this fleeting world, abandon yourself, Then the moon and flowers will guide you along the Way.

Easily moved by beauty—such is my nature. I take a few phrases and they just turn into poems

Why do you so earnestly seek the truth in distant places? Look for delusion and truth in the bottom of your own hearts.

The water of the valley stream Never shouts at the tainted world: “Purify yourself!” But naturally, as it is, Shows how it is done.

"If there is beauty, there must be ugliness;
If there is right, there must be wrong.
Wisdom and ignorance are complementary,
And illusion and enlightenment cannot be separated.
This is an old truth, don't think it was discovered recently.
"I want this, I want that"
Is nothing but foolishness.
I'll tell you a secret -
"All things are impermanent!

Late at night, listening to the winter rain Recalling my youth — Was it only a dream? Was I really young once?

Why do you so earnestly seek
the truth in distant places?
Look for delusion and truth in the
bottom of your own heart.

What shall I compare
Your precious letter in early spring to?
All the jewels and gold
Lose their color.
雨が下に
満つる玉より
黄金より
春の初めの
君が音づれ

How could we discuss
this and that
without knowing
the whole world is
reflected in a single pearl?