Hojoki: A Buddhist Reflection on Solitude: Imperfection and Transcendence - Bilingual English and Japanese Texts with Free Online Audio Recordings

by Kamo no Chōmei

Everything we do in this life is senseless, But wasting one’s wealth on the building of a house in this perilous capital is especially foolish.

An official’s child of about six or seven years, Had built himself a hut at the base of an earthen wall. He was amusing himself when the wall suddenly collapsed. Buried under the rubble, Flat and shapeless, his eyes had popped right out of their sockets.

Although I took no vow of silence, Being alone means there’s nothing to say. It’s not hard to keep the holy precepts, There’s little chance of breaking them.

Although I’m not skilled, I play not to please the ears of another. I play and sing on my own, To give sustenance to my heart alone.