Ryokan
This article is about the Zen monk. For the Japanese type of inn, see Ryokan inn.
'Ryokan' (良寛) was a Zen Buddhist monk who lived in Japan 1758-1831. He soon left the monastery where practice was frequently quite lax, and lived as a hermit until he was very old and had to move into the house of one of his supporters.
Ryokan was famous for his poetry and calligraphy. His poetry is often very simple and inspired by nature. He was a lover of children, and sometimes forgot to go on his alms round to get food because he was playing with the children of the nearby village.
There is some debate as to whether Ryokan was enlightened, but he lived a very simple, very pure life, and stories about his kindness and generosity abound.
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Referenced By
Buddhist Teachers: Historical | Buddhist Teachers: Past | Buddhist Thinkers | List of Buddhists | List of Japan-related topics L-Z | List of Japanese people | List of famous Japanese people | List of historical Buddhist teachers | Listing of noted Buddhists | Ryuichi Abe
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