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
Mei Hui Huang and Larry Smith

Original Language
Japanese

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Themes

Bower

Moon

Spring Blossom

Tree

Water

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 >>

In stubborn stupidity, I live on alone
befriended by trees and herbs.
Too lazy to learn right from wrong,
I laugh at myself, ignoring others.
Lifting my bony shanks, I cross the stream,
a sack in my hand, blessed by spring weather.
Living thus, I want for nothing,
at peace with all the world.

Your finger points to the moon,
but the finger is blind until the moon appears.
What connection has moon and finger?
Are they separate objects or bound?
This is a question for beginners
wrapped in seas of ignorance.
Yet one who looks beyond metaphor
knows there is no finger; there is no moon.

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Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

About Ryokan

Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World