Ikkyu Sojun Quotes on Knowledge
Ikkyu Sojun was a Japanese Zen master, poet, and calligrapher of the Muromachi period, abbot of the Daitoku-ji monastery in Kyoto, and the most idiosyncratic figure of medieval Japanese Buddhism. This page collects quotes attributed to Ikkyu Sojun on the topic of knowledge, drawn from across the philosopher's works.
Quotes
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“South of Mount Sumeru Who understands my Zen? Call Master Kido over- He's not worth a cent.”
Lucien Stryk . Encounter with Zen: writings on poetry and Zen, 1981. p. 66. -
“Lucien Stryk . Encounter with Zen: writings on poetry and Zen, 1981. p. 66.”
South of Mount Sumeru Who understands my Zen? Call Master Kido over- He's not worth a cent. -
“As quoted in Ikkyū and The Crazy Cloud Anthology : A Zen Poet of Medieval Japan (1986) by Sonja Arntzen.”
Natural, reckless, correct skill; Yesterday's clarity is today's stupidity The universe has dark and light, entrust oneself to change One time, shade the eyes and gaze afar at the road of heaven. -
“A Fisherman" in Wild Ways : Zen Poems (2003), edited and translated by John Stevens, p. 37.”
Studying texts and stiff meditation can make you lose your Original Mind. A solitary tune by a fisherman, though, can be an invaluable treasure. Dusk rain on the river, the moon peeking in and out of the clouds; Elegant beyond words, he chants his songs night after night. -
“It has the original mouth but remains wordless; It is surrounded by a magnificent mound of hair. Sentient beings can get completely lost in it But it is also the birthplace of all the Buddhas of the ten thousand worlds.”
A Woman's Sex" in Wild Ways : Zen Poems (2003), edited and translated by John Stevens, p. 74. -
“A Woman's Sex" in Wild Ways : Zen Poems (2003), edited and translated by John Stevens, p. 74.”
It has the original mouth but remains wordless; It is surrounded by a magnificent mound of hair. Sentient beings can get completely lost in it But it is also the birthplace of all the Buddhas of the ten thousand worlds.