PicoBlog

DAIRIN SOTO

大林宗套

Died on the twenty-seventh day of the first month, 1568 at the age of eighty-nine

My whole life long I've sharpened my sword And now, face to face with death I unsheathe it, and lo— The blade is broken— Alas!

DOKYO ETAN

道鏡慧端

Died on the sixth day of the tenth month, 1721 at the age of eighty

Here in the shadow of death it is hard To utter the final word. I'll only say, then, "Without saying." Nothing more, Nothing more.

GESSHU SOKO

月舟宗胡

Died on the tenth day of the first month, 1696 at the age of seventy-nine

Inhale, exhale Forward, back Living, dying: Arrows, let flown each to each Meet midway and slice The void in aimless flight— Thus I return to the source.

GIZAN ZENRAI

儀山善来

Died on the twenty-eighth day of March, 1878 at the age of seventy-seven

I was born into this world I leave it at my death. Into a thousand towns My legs have carried me, And countless homes— What are all these? A moon reflected in the water A flower floating in the sky Ho!

HOSSHIN

法心

Thirteenth century

Coming, all is clear, no doubt about it. Going, all is clear, without a doubt. What, then, is it all?

INGO

院豪

Died on the twenty-first day of the eighth month, 1281 at the age of seventy-two

Three and seventy years I've drawn pure water from the fire— Now I become a tiny bug. With a touch of my body I shatter all worlds.

KASO SODON

華叟宗曇

Died on the twenty-seventh day of the sixth month, 1428 at the age of seventy-seven

A drop of water freezes instantly— My seven years and seventy. All changes at a blow Springs of water welling from the fire.

KOGAKUSOKO

古岳宗旦

Died on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, 1548 at the age of eighty-four

My final words are these: As I fall I throw all on a high mountain peak— Lo! All creation shatters; thus it is That I destroy Zen doctrine.

KOHO KENNICHI

高峰顕日

Died on the twentieth day of the tenth month, 1316 at the age of seventy-six

To depart while seated or standing is all one. All I shall leave behind meIs a heap of bones. In empty space I twist and soar And come down with the roar of thunder To the sea.

KOZAN ICHIKYO

固山ー鞏
Died on the twelfth day of the second month, 1360 at the age of seventy-seven

Empty-handed I entered the world Barefoot I leave it. My coming, my going— Two simple happenings That got entangled.

MUSHO JOSHO

無象静照

Died on the fifteenth day of the fifth month, 1306 at the age of seventy-three

When it comes—just so! When it goes—just so! Both coming and going occur each day. The words I am speaking now—just so!

SEISETSU SHUCHO

誠拙周樗

Died on the twenty-eighth day of the sixth month, 1820 at the age of seventy-six

My hour draws near and I am still alive. Drawn by the chains of deathI take my leave. The King of Hades has decreed Tomorrow I shall be his slave.

SENGAI GIBON

仙厓義梵

Died on the seventh day of the tenth month, 1837 at the age of eighty-eight

He who comes knows only his coming
He who goes knows only his end.
To be saved from the chasm
Why cling to the cliff?
Clouds floating low
Never know where the breezes will blow them.

SHUMPO SOKI

春浦宗熙

Died on the fourteenth day of the first month, 1496 at the age of eighty-eight

No single bone in my body is holy— It is but an ash heap of stinking bones. Dig a deep hole and there bury these remains Thus, not a grain of dust will stain The green mountains.

TAIGEN SOFU

太原崇孚

Died on the tenth day of the intercalary month, 1555 at the age of sixty

I raise the mirror of my life Up to my face: sixty years. With a swing I smash the reflection— The world as usual All in its place.

UNGO KIYO

雲居希膺

Died on the eighth day of the eighth month, 1659 at the age of seventy-seven

I came into the world after Buddha. I leave the world before Miroku. Between the Buddha of the beginning and the Buddha of the end I am not born, I do not die.

YAKUO TOKUKEN

約翁徳儉

Died on the nineteenth day of the fifth month, 1320 at the age of seventy-six

My six and seventy years are through.
I was not born, I am not dead.
Clouds floating on the high wide skies
The moon curves through its million-mile course.

ZOSAN JUNKU

蔵山順空

Died on the fifth day of the fifth month, 1308 at the age of seventy-six

You must play The tune of non-being yourself— Nine summits collapse Eight oceans go dry.

ZOSO ROYO

蔵叟朗誉

Died on the fifth day of the sixth month, 1276 at the age of eighty-four

I pondered Buddha's teaching
A full four and eighty years.
The gates are all now locked about me. No one was ever here—
Who then is he about to die,
And why lament for nothing?
Farewell!
The night is clear,
The moon shines calmly,
The wind in the pines
Is like a lyre's song.
With no I and no other
Who hears the sound?

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