Ikkyu

Ikkyu (一休宗純 Ikkyū Sōjun) (1394-1481) was an eccentric, iconoclastic Japanese Zen Buddhist priest, poet and caligrapher. He was born as an illegitimate son of Emperor Go-Komatsu and was forced to become a priest in his childhood. He has been considered also one of the influencial figures to establish Japanese tea ceremony as the mentor of its early master.

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* 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.
o 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.
o 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!
o A Man's Root

* From the world of passions returning to the world of passions:
There is a moment's pause.
If it rains, let it rain, if the wind blows, let it blow.

* Anybody can enter the Budda's world so few can step into the devil's.

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