Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Buddhist : Zen / Chan

14th Century

About Muso Soseki

Timeline (1275 - 1351)

Muso Soseki, Muso Soseki poetry, Buddhist, Buddhist poetry, Zen / Chan poetry, [TRADITION SUB2] poetry, poetry

<<Previous Poem | View All Poems by Muso Soseki | Next Poem >>

English version by
W. S. Merwin

Original Language
Japanese

Temple of Eternal Light

Themes

Light

Mountain

Water

Recommended Books

	East Window: Poems from Asia, Translated by W. S. Merwin
	Roaring Stream: A New Zen Reader, Edited by Nelson Foster / Edited by Josh Shoemaker
	Sun at Midnight: Muso Soseki - Poems and Sermons, Translated by W. S. Merwin / Translated by Soiku Shigematsu

The mountain range
     the stones in the water
          all are strange and rare
The beautiful landscape
     as we know
          belongs to those who are like it
The upper worlds
     the lower worlds
          originally are one thing
There is not a bit of dust
     there is only this still and full
          perfect enlightenment

-- from Sun at Midnight: Muso Soseki - Poems and Sermons, Translated by W. S. Merwin / Translated by Soiku Shigematsu

Amazon.com

<<Previous Poem | View More Poems by Muso Soseki | Next Poem >>

Please support the Poetry Chaikhana, as well as the authors and publishers of sacred poetry, by purchasing some of the recommended books through the links on this site. Thank you!

Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

About Muso Soseki

Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World