Ippen

Ippen (一遍上人), also known as Zuien, (1234 - 1289) was a Japanese Buddhist itinerant preacher (hijiri) who founded the Ji (時宗 time sect) branch of Pure Land Buddhism.


 Sourced

 No Abode: The Record of Ippen (1997)

ed. 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.
o "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.
o "Hymn of Amida's Vow" (Chapter 1, p.4)

* To reach the borders of the uncreated,
Just let go! This is genuine gratitude.
o "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.
o "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.
o "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.
o "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.
o "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.
o "Words Handed Down by Disciples" (Chapter 9)

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