BRUNO GANZ ~

B R U N O     G A N Z

(1941, Zurich ~  2019)

RYOKAN ~

Written In My Hermitage
On A Snowy Evening



For more than seventy years, I have been making

Myself dizzy observing men.

I have abandoned trying to penetrate men's good and bad actions.

Coming and going is a sign of weakness.

Heavy snow in the dead of night —

Under the weather-beaten window, once incense stick.



Light rain — the mountain forest is wrapped in mist.

Slowly the fog changes to clouds and haze.

Along the boundless river bank, many crows.

I walk to a hill overlooking the valley to sit in zazen.



After spending the day begging in town,

I now sit peacefully under a cliff in the evening cool.

Alone, with one robe and one bowl —

The life of a Zen monk is truly the best!



_____________________

Ryokan
One Robe, One Bowl
translated by John Stevens