Why do people
Lavish decorations
On this set of bones
Destined to disappear
Without a trace?
Many paths lead
from the foot of the mountain,
But at the peak
We all gaze at the
Single bright moon.
If at the end of our journey
There is no final
Resting place,
Then we need not fear
Losing our Way.
No beginning,
No end.
Our mind
is born and dies:
The emptiness of emptiness!
Rain, hail, snow and ice:
All are different,
But when they fall
They become the same water
As the valley stream.
- The Haiku and Poems of Ikkyu Sojun (1394-1481)
Lavish decorations
On this set of bones
Destined to disappear
Without a trace?
Many paths lead
from the foot of the mountain,
But at the peak
We all gaze at the
Single bright moon.
If at the end of our journey
There is no final
Resting place,
Then we need not fear
Losing our Way.
No beginning,
No end.
Our mind
is born and dies:
The emptiness of emptiness!
Rain, hail, snow and ice:
All are different,
But when they fall
They become the same water
As the valley stream.
- The Haiku and Poems of Ikkyu Sojun (1394-1481)
