そうのみ

そうのみはいらずじょうふきょ
ぼさつのぎょのしゅしょうなりけり

One who is a monk needs nothing --
Only "Never Despising Anyone"
For this is the unexcelled practice
of all bodhisattvas

-Ryokan

* Image: Katsura Kyoto by Kiyoshi Saito

こころ

いにしへは
こころのままに
したがへど
いまはこころよ
われにしたがへ

Inishie wa
kokoro no mama ni
shitagaedo
Ima wa kokoro yo
ware ni shitagae

In former days
I did just as my heart dictated me.
But now, heart,
obey me and do what I say.

-Ryokan

* Image: Ancient City Nara by Kiyoshi Saito

あきかぜ

あきかぜに
ひとりたちたる
すがたかな

aki kaze ni
hitori tachitaru
sugata kana

In autumn wind
standing alone
the figure of a man

-Ryokan

* Image: Autumn in Aizu by Kiyoshi Saito