Ikkyu (1795-1821)

Poet and Zen master.

• That stone buddha deserves all the birdshit it gets
  I wave my skinny arms like a tall flower in the wind.

• 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.

• 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.
  • A Fisherman

• 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

• 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!
  • A Man's Root