No path but this one —
I walk alone.
***
the deeper I go
the deeper I go
green mountains
***
The pine branches hang down
Heavy with the chant:
Hail to the Bodhisattva of Compassion!
***
The wind in the pines
Morning and evening
Carries the sound of the temple bell.
***
No path but this one —
I walk alone.
***
The bucket full of rain:
It’s enough for today.
***
My begging bowl
Accepts the fallen leaves.
***
Just as it is —
It rains, I get wet, I walk.
***
If there are mountains, I look at the mountains;
On rainy days I listen to the rain.
Spring, summer, autumn, winter.
Tomorrow too will be good.
Tonight too will be good.
***
Hailstones, too,
Enter my begging bowl.
by Santoka (Santoka Taneda)
English version by John Stevens
Original Language Japanese
