Zen Death Poems:
Ryonen:
When Ryonen was about to pass from this
world, she wrote another poem:
Sixty-six times have these eyes beheld the
changing scene of autumn.
I have said enough about moonlight,
Ask no more.
Only listen to the voice of pines and cedars
when no wind stirs.
Senseki:
At last I am leaving:
in rainless skies, a cool moon...
pure is my heart
Banzan:
Farewell...
I pass as all things do
dew on the grass.
Basho:
On a journey, ill:
my dream goes wandering
over withered fields.
Nandai:
Since time began
the dead alone know peace.
Life is but melting snow.
Ryonen:
When Ryonen was about to pass from this
world, she wrote another poem:
Sixty-six times have these eyes beheld the
changing scene of autumn.
I have said enough about moonlight,
Ask no more.
Only listen to the voice of pines and cedars
when no wind stirs.
Senseki:
At last I am leaving:
in rainless skies, a cool moon...
pure is my heart
Banzan:
Farewell...
I pass as all things do
dew on the grass.
Basho:
On a journey, ill:
my dream goes wandering
over withered fields.
Nandai:
Since time began
the dead alone know peace.
Life is but melting snow.
