Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Buddhist : Zen / Chan

18th Century

About Ryokan

Timeline (1758 - 1831)

Ryokan, Ryokan poetry, Buddhist, Buddhist poetry, Zen / Chan poetry, [TRADITION SUB2] poetry, poetry

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English version by
John Stevens

Original Language
Japanese

The Lotus

Themes

Lotus

Mountain

Night

Perfume

Rose

Recommended Books

	Between the Floating Mist: Poems of Ryokan, Translated by Hide Oshiro / Translated by Dennis Maloney
	Between Two Souls: Conversations with Ryokan, by Mary Lou Kownacki
	Dewdrops on a Lotus Leaf: Zen Poems of Ryokan, Translated by John Stevens
	The Enlightened Heart: An Anthology of Sacred Poetry, by Stephen Mitchell
	Great Fool: Zen Master Ryokan: Poems, Letters, and Other Writings, Translated by Ryuichi Abe

More >>

First blooming in the Western Paradise,
The lotus has delighted us for ages.
Its white petals are covered with dew,
its jade green leaves spread out over the pond,
And its pure fragrance perfumes the wind.
Cool and majestic, it raises from the murky water.
The sun sets behind the mountains
But I remain in the darkness, too captivated to leave.

-- from Dewdrops on a Lotus Leaf: Zen Poems of Ryokan, Translated by John Stevens

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Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

About Ryokan

Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World