Ryōkan quotes

Why do you so earnestly seek the truth in distant places? Look for delusion and truth in the bottom of your own hearts. (Ryōkan)
The village has disappeared in the evening mist And the path is hard to follow. Walking through the pines, I return to my lonely hut. View quote
Ryōkan
It's a pity, a gentleman in refined retirement composing poetry: He models his work on the classic verse of China. And his poems are elegant, full of fine phrases. But if you don't write of things deep in your own heart, What's the use of churning out so many words? View quote
Ryōkan
In this dream world We doze And talk of dreams - Dream, dream on, As much as you wish. View quote
Ryōkan
Easily moved by beauty-such is my nature. I take a few phrases and they just turn into poems. View quote
Ryōkan
You must rise above The gloomy clouds Covering the mountaintop Otherwise, how will you Ever see the brightness? View quote
Ryōkan
The thief left it behind: the moon at my window. View quote
Ryōkan
The winds gives me Enough fallen leaves To make a fire. View quote
Ryōkan
The water of the valley stream Never shouts at the tainted world: "Purify yourself!” But naturally, as it is, Shows how it is done. View quote
Ryōkan
Who says my poems are poems? My poems are not poems. When you know that my poems are not poems, Then we can speak of poetry. View quote
Ryōkan
This world A fading Mountain echo Void and Unreal. (Ryōkan)
I have nothing to report, my friends. If you want to find the meaning, Stop chasing after so many things. View quote
Ryōkan
The rain has stopped, the clouds have drifted away, and the weather is clear again. View quote
Ryōkan
Cling to truth and it turns into falsehood. Understand falsehood and it turns into truth. View quote
Ryōkan
Late at night, listening to the winter rain Recalling my youth - Was it only a dream? Was I really young once? As quoted in One Robe, One Bowl : The Zen Poetry of Ryōkan (2006) edited by John Stevens, p. 71. View quote
Ryōkan
I take these words as an admonition to myself. View quote
Ryōkan
In the scenery of spring, nothing is better, nothing worse. View quote
Ryōkan
When you encounter those who are wicked, unrighteous, foolish, dim-witted, deformed, vicious, chronically ill, lonely, unfortunate, or disabled, you should think: "How can I save them?”. View quote
Ryōkan
Cling to truth and it turns into falsehood. Understand falsehood and it turns into truth. Truth and falsehood are two sides of the same coin. Neither accept one nor reject the other. View quote
Ryōkan
When you encounter those who are wicked, unrighteous, foolish, dim-witted, deformed, vicious, chronically ill, lonely, unfortunate, or disabled, you should think: "How can I save them?” And even if there is nothing you can do, at least you must not indulge in feelings of arrogance, superiority, derision, scorn, or abhorrence, but should immediately manifest sympathy and compassion. If you fail to do so, you should feel ashamed and deeply reproach yourself: "How far I have strayed from the Way! How can I betray the old sages? I take these words as an admonition to myself.”. View quote
Ryōkan