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Jan van Leent's Reviews > One Robe, One Bowl: The Zen Poetry of Ryōkan
One Robe, One Bowl: The Zen Poetry of Ryōkan
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This translation and introduction by John Stevens is highly recommended for its beauty. It is also a marvellous introduction to the way of living of the Japanese hermit-monk Ryokan
One example: after returning to his small hut - metaphor for clinging to his earthly ego? - Ryokan noticed that all was gone, he composed the haiku:
The thief left behind
the moon
At the window.
Another translation of this haiku:
The thief leaves behind,
the ever changeful Moon
at the firmament
Moon is often used to refer to Tao; it also indicates the firm belief of Ryokan.
One example: after returning to his small hut - metaphor for clinging to his earthly ego? - Ryokan noticed that all was gone, he composed the haiku:
The thief left behind
the moon
At the window.
Another translation of this haiku:
The thief leaves behind,
the ever changeful Moon
at the firmament
Moon is often used to refer to Tao; it also indicates the firm belief of Ryokan.
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Reading Progress
September 1, 1983
–
Started Reading
December 15, 1983
–
Finished Reading
July 28, 2015
– Shelved
July 28, 2015
– Shelved as:
buddhism
July 28, 2015
– Shelved as:
literature
July 28, 2015
– Shelved as:
poetry
July 28, 2015
– Shelved as:
religion
