Ikkyu (1394-1481) was an eccentric, iconoclastic Japanese Zen Buddhist priest, poet and calligrapher. He was born as an illegitimate son of Emperor Go-Komatsu and was forced to become a priest in his childhood. He was one of the influential figures in establishing the Japanese tea ceremony as the mentor of its early master.

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• That stone buddha deserves all the bird droppings 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.
  • 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.
  • 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!
  • 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.

• Having no destination, I am never lost.

See also

• Buddhism
• The Gateless Gate
• Nagarjuna
• Zen proverbs
• Gautama Buddha