Ikkyu Quotes

• Having no destination, I am never lost.

  Ikkyu

  Lost, Destination

  68 Copy quote

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

  Ikkyu

  Rain, Moon, Wind

  Ikkyū (2003). “Wild Ways: Zen Poems”, White Pine Press (NY)

  56 Copy quote

• 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!

  Ikkyu

  Beautiful, Strong, Night

  46 Copy quote

• We must become what we were
  Before we were born

  Ikkyu

  Born

  30 Copy quote

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

  Ikkyu

  Self, Lightning, Dew

  42 Copy quote

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

  Ikkyu

  Inspirational, Life, Moon

  Ikkyū (2003). “Wild Ways: Zen Poems”, White Pine Press (NY)

  35 Copy quote

• 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.

  Ikkyu

  Mind, Body

  31 Copy quote

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

  Ikkyu

  Real, Rain, Blow

  Ikkyū (2003). “Wild Ways: Zen Poems”, White Pine Press (NY)

  27 Copy quote

• 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.

  Ikkyu

  Rain, Passion, Blow

  29 Copy quote

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

  Ikkyu

  Spring, Fall, Color

  32 Copy quote

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

  Ikkyu

  Spring, Tree, Waiting

  41 Copy quote

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

  Ikkyu

  Practice, Meditation, Tea

  24 Copy quote

• 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

  Ikkyu

  Happiness, Arguing, Back And Forth

  16 Copy quote

• I and other humans no difference.

  Ikkyu

  Differences, Humans

  13 Copy quote

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

  Ikkyu

  Nature, Spring, Flower

  Ikkyū (2003). “Wild Ways: Zen Poems”, White Pine Press (NY)

  29 Copy quote

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

  Ikkyu

  Religious, Vegetarianism, Bird

  7 Copy quote

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

  Ikkyu

  Spring, Color, Tree

  13 Copy quote

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

  Ikkyu

  Daughter, Years, Four

  11 Copy quote

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