Ippen
Japanese Buddhist monk, founder of the Jishu school.
Ippen (一遍上人) (1234–1289), also known as Zuien, was a Japanese Buddhist itinerant preacher (hijiri) who founded the Ji (時宗 time sect) branch of Pure Land Buddhism.
Quotes
editNo Abode: The Record of Ippen (1997)
edited. Dennis Hirota. (Hawaii: University of Hawaii Press, 1997)
- From far, far in the distant past,
Down to this day, this very instant,
Those things we have longed for most
Have not been attained, and we sorrow.- "Hymn of Amida's Vow" (Chapter 1, p. 3).
- Once our false thinking has completely ceased
There is neither start nor conclusion, beginning nor end
In the oneness of Buddha and sentient beings
Say Namu-amida-butsu.- "Hymn of Amida's Vow" (Chapter 1, p. 4).
- To reach the borders of the uncreated,
Just let go! This is genuine gratitude.- "A Gist in Empty Words" (Chapter 2, p. 9).
- In this brief span this body exists,
Clothing and food are of course indispensable;
But knowing them to be fruits of former lives,
I make no effort at all to obtain them.- "A Gist in Empty Words" (Chapter 2, p. 11).
- With aversion for sect superiors and their pomp,
I have no wish for monk disciples;
Not in search of lay supporters,
I court the favor of no one.- "Verse of Aspiration" (Chapter 3, p. 16).
- In the Buddha’s teaching, unless you cast away body and life, there can be no realization of benefit.
- "Words Handed Down by Disciples" (Chapter 9, p. 105).
- To become solitary and simple in utter aloneness -- living wholly unconcerned about the multitude of worldly affairs, and abandoning and disentangling yourself from all things -- is to die. We are born alone; we die alone.
- "Words Handed Down by Disciples" (Chapter 9).
- Food, clothing, and shelter are the three evil paths. To desire and make a display of clothing is karma for the path of beasts. To greedily crave food is karma for the path of famished ghosts. To set up a shelter is karma for the path of hell. Hence, if you aspire to part from the three evil paths, you must free yourself from food, clothing, and shelter.
- "Words Handed Down by Disciples" (Chapter 9).
