Samstag, 27. November 2010

Ikkyū Sōjun



‘Do not worry:
Wherever you are
You are always you.’

Ikkyū is accredited as one of the great influences on the Japanese tea ceremony, and renowned as one of medieval Japan's greatest calligraphers and sumi-e artists. Known to drink in excess he would often upset [his teachers] with his remarks and actions to guests.

He was among the few Zen priests who argued that his enlightenment was deepened by consorting with pavilion girls, and entered brothels wearing his black robes, since for him sexual intercourse was a religious rite. At the same time he warned Zen against its own bureaucratic politicizing. After training Ikkyū quickly left the temple and lived many years as a vagabond. He was not alone, however, as he had a regular circle of notable artists and poets from that era. Around this time, he also established a relationship with a blind singer Mori who became the love of his later life. (Cobbled together from here)

If, at the end of our journey,
There is no place to rest,
We need not worry about
Losing the way.

(Translations of poems by me.)

Cover your path
With fallen pine-needles
So no one will be able
To locate your
True dwelling place.

3 Kommentare:

Laguna Beach Fogey hat gesagt…

Vielen Dank für dieses. Ich möchte diesen Bereich des Zen zu untersuchen.

v. Braun. hat gesagt…

Haha, ja das kann ich mir vorstellen. ;)

Laguna Beach Fogey hat gesagt…

Ja ja, dies ist ein Kult, der ich treu sein konnte. ;)