In the morning, bowing to all;
In the evening, bowing to all.
Respecting others is my only duty--
Hail to the Never-despising Bodhisattva.
In heaven and earth he stands alone.
A real monk
Needs
Only one thing--
a heart like
Never-despising Buddha.
'' Respecting others is my only duty- '' - a duty that so many seems to have forgotten, nowadays.. alas! (or is it rated repugnant to many? ?)
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Ryōkan lived a very simple life, and stories about his kindness and generosity abound. Yet, although he lived a simple and pure life, Ryōkan also displayed characteristics that under normal circumstances would be out of line for a typical monk.