Observations placeholder
Myokonin Saichi – Poems - Nothing is left to Saichi
Identifier
013629
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
The Myokonin (妙好人 myōkōnin?) are famous, pious followers of the Jōdo Shinshū sect of Japanese Buddhism.
Myōkōnin literally means "a wondrous, excellent person". It is used for a devout follower of Jōdo Shinshū.
Myōkōnin were largely unheard of in the West until they were introduced by D.T. Suzuki in his lectures and writings on Jōdo Shinshū. Most myōkōnin left behind very little writing, but in the case of Saichi, he left behind a prolific amount of poetry expressing his devotion to Amida Buddha.
Myōkōnin have been documented through Japanese history, from the Tokugawa Period to the modern period.
Rather than simply classif this observation as a poet, I thought it more helpful to classify it under Zen Buddhism
A description of the experience
Myokonin Saichi – Poems
Nothing is left to Saichi
Except a joyful heart, nothing is left to him
Neither good nor bad has he, all is taken away from him
Nothing is left to him!
To have nothing – how completely satisfying
Everything has been carried away by the ‘Namu-amida-butsu’………..
All my cravings are taken away………………
None of my evil passions, as many as 84,000 remain with me
Every one of them has been taken away…
Saichi has nothing – which is joy
Outside this there’s nothing
Both good and evil – all’s taken away
Nothing’s left
To have nothing – this is the release, this is the peace