Ikkyu Quotes

Monk

Ikkyu, a Japanese Zen monk, was born on February 1, 1394, and died on December 12, 1481. He is renowned for his unique Zen thoughts and poetry, making him an important figure in the history of Japanese culture.

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All Spring Break Cherries Gone Rain Tree Wind Blow Cherry Blossom Cherry Trees

Famous Ikkyu Quotes

“Every day, priests minutely examine the Dharma And endlessly chant complicated sutras. Before doing that, though, they should learn How to read the love letters sent by The wind and rain, the snow and moon.”

Poetry Enlightenment Awakening Zen Dharma Spiritual Poetry Buddhis

Book:Ikkyu and the Crazy Cloud Anthology: A Zen Poet of Medieval Japan (UNESCO Collection of Representative Works. Japanese Series)

Source: Ikkyu and the Crazy Cloud Anthology: A Zen Poet of Medieval Japan (UNESCO Collection of Representative Works. Japanese Series)

“even before trees rocks I was nothing when I'm dead nowhere I'll be nothing all the bad things I do will go up in smoke and so will I if there's nowhere to rest at the end how can I get lost on the way?”

Realization Emptiness No Thing

Book:Crow With No Mouth: Ikkyu, Fifteenth Century Zen Master

Source: Crow With No Mouth: Ikkyu, Fifteenth Century Zen Master

“sick of it whatever it's called sick of the names I dedicate every pore to what's here”

Light Transcendence Race Relations Old Songs

Author:Ikkyu

“We must become what we were Before we were born”

Born

Author:Ikkyu

“Don't read the sutras - practice meditation. Don't take up the broom - practice meditation. Don't plant tea seeds - practice meditation.”

Practice Meditation Plant Seeds Tea Brooms

Author:Ikkyu

“Become a Buddha? The mind can't do it. The body can't do it. Only what can't become a Buddha becomes a Buddha.”

Mind Body

Author:Ikkyu

“The salvation of birds and beasts, oneself included - this is the object of Shakyamuni's religious austerities.”

Religious Objects Bird Salvation Oneself Beast Vegetarian Vegetarianism Austerity

Author:Ikkyu

“Break open A cherry tree And there are no flowers; But the spring breeze Brings forth myriad blossoms.”

Nature Break Tree Flower Spring Sunshine Breeze Cherries Blossoming Wildflowers Spring Poems Spring Flowers Flowers And Gardens Flower Blossom Cherry Blossom Cherry Trees Rose Flower

Book:Wild Ways: Zen Poems

Source: Wild Ways: Zen Poems

“The tree is stripped, All color, fragrance gone, Yet already on the bough, Uncaring spring!”

Gone Tree Color Spring Fragrance Uncaring

Author:Ikkyu

“Many paths lead from the foot of the mountain, but at the peak we all gaze at the single bright moon.”

Life Inspirational Path Feet Moon Mountain Independence Many Paths

Book:Wild Ways: Zen Poems

Source: Wild Ways: Zen Poems

“Look at the cherry blossoms! Their color and scent fall with them, Are gone forever, Yet mindless The spring comes again.”

Looks Fall Gone Forever Color Spring Scent Cherries Mindless Cherry Blossom

Author:Ikkyu

“Like vanishing dew, a passing apparition or the sudden flash of lightning -- already gone -- thus should one regard one's self.”

Should Self Gone Regard Passing Passings Flash Lightning Dew Vanishing Apparitions Already Gone

Author:Ikkyu

“Watching my four year old daughter dance I cannot break free of her.”

Years Break Four Daughter Four Years

Author:Ikkyu

“Having no destination, I am never lost.”

Lost Destination

Author:Ikkyu

“From the world of passions returning to the world of passions: There is a moment's pause. If it rains, let it rain, if the wind blows, let it blow.”

Ifs World Moments Passion Wind Rain Blow Pauses

Author:Ikkyu

“Eight inches strong, it is my favourite thing; If I'm alone at night, I embrace it fully - A beautiful woman hasn't touched it for ages. Within my fundoshi there is an entire universe!”

Ifs Age Beautiful Night Universe Strong Embrace Eight Touched Inches Favourite Beautiful Women Favourite Things

Author:Ikkyu

“You do this, you do that You argue left, you argue right You come down, you go up This person says no, you say yes Back and forth You are happy You are really happy”

Persons Happiness Left Arguing Back And Forth Really Happy

Author:Ikkyu

“Learn how to read the love letters sent by the wind and rain, the snow and moon.”

Wind Moon Rain Letters Snow Love Letter Wind And Rain

Book:Wild Ways: Zen Poems

Source: Wild Ways: Zen Poems

“I and other humans no difference.”

Humans Differences

Author:Ikkyu

“Break open the cherry tree: where are the blossoms? Just wait for spring time to see how they bloom.”

Waiting Break Tree Spring Cherries Spring Time Cherry Trees

Author:Ikkyu

“My real dwelling Has no pillars And no roof either So rain cannot soak it And wind cannot blow it down.”

Real Wind Rain Blow Roof Dwelling Pillars

Book:Wild Ways: Zen Poems

Source: Wild Ways: Zen Poems

About the Author

Born: February 1, 1394
Died: December 12, 1481
Known for: Monk
Quotes: 21

Books & Sources

Wild Ways: Zen PoemsRelated source material

Crow With No Mouth: Ikkyu, Fifteenth Century Zen MasterRelated source material

Ikkyu and the Crazy Cloud Anthology: A Zen Poet of Medieval Japan (UNESCO Collection of Representative Works. Japanese Series)Related source material

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