Japanese Buddhist Proverbs

[1. The consequence of any evil act or thought never,--so long as karma endures,--will cease to act upon the existence of the person guilty of it.

2. Buddhist nuns and priests have their heads completely shaven. The proverb signifies that it is better to correct the heart,--to conquer all vain regrets and desires,--than to become a religious. In common parlance the phrase "to shave the head" means to become a monk or a nun.

3. Regret and desire are equally vain in this world of impermanency; for all joy is the beginning of an experience that must have its pain. This proverb refers directly to the sutra-text,--Shôja hitsumetsu é-sha-jori,--"All that live must surely die; and all that meet will surely part."]

[1. Literally, "ten thousand things."

2. The only real differences of condition are differences in knowledge of the highest truth.

3. All sensual desire invariably brings sorrow.

4. There is an allusion here to the condition of the shukké (priest): literally, "one who has left his house." The proverb suggests that the higher truths of Buddhism cannot be acquired by those who continue to live in the world of follies and desires.

5. There is good as well as bad karma. Whatever happiness we enjoy is not less a consequence of the acts and thoughts of previous lives, than is any misfortune that {footnote p. 170} comes to us. Every good thought and act contributes to the evolution of the Buddha-nature within each of us. Another proverb [No. 10],--En naki shujô wa doshi gatashi,--further illustrates the meaning of this one.]

[1. Allusion to a parable, said to have been related by the Buddha himself, about some monkeys who found a well under a tree, and mistook for reality the image of the moon in the water. They resolved to seize the bright apparition. One monkey suspended himself by the tail from a branch overhanging the well, a second monkey clung to the first, a third to the second, a fourth to the third, and so on,--till the long chain of bodies had almost reached the water. Suddenly the branch broke under the unaccustomed weight; and all the monkeys were drowned.

2. No karma-relation would mean an utter absence of merit as well as of demerit.]

[1. Literally: "Even gaki are a multitude (or, 'population')." This is a popular saying used in a variety of ways. The ordinary meaning is to the effect that no matter how poor or miserable the individuals composing a multitude, they collectively represent a respectable force. Jocosely the saying is sometimes used of a crowd of wretched or tired-looking people,--sometimes of an assembly of weak boys desiring to make some demonstration,--sometimes of a miserable-looking company of soldiers.--Among the lowest classes of the people it is not uncommon to call a deformed or greedy person a "gaki."

2 Some authorities state that those prêtas who suffer especially from thirst, as a consequence of faults committed in former lives, are unable to see water. This proverb is used in speaking of persons too stupid or vicious to perceive a moral truth.

3. The common people often use the curious expression "gosho-daiji" as an equivalent for "extremely important."

4. Said of those who ignorantly criticise the doctrines of {footnote p. 172} Buddhism.--The proverb alludes to a celebrated fable in the Avadânas, about a number of blind men who tried to decide the form of an elephant by feeling the animal. One, feeling the leg, declared the elephant to be like a tree; another, feeling the trunk only, declared the elephant to be like a serpent; a third, who felt only the side, said that the elephant was like a wall; a fourth, grasping the tail, said that the elephant was like a rope, etc.]

[1. Yasha (Sanscrit Yaksha), a man-devouring demon.

2. This proverb is most often used in reference to death,--signifying that all forms go back into the nothingness out of which they spring. But it may also be used in relation to the law of cause-and-effect.

3. Referring to the doctrine of cause-and-effect. The philosophical beauty of the comparison will be appreciated only if we bear in mind that even the tone of the echo repeats the tone of the voice.]

[1. Although the passions may be temporarily overcome, their sources remain. A proverb of like meaning is, Bonnô no inu oëdomo sarazu: "Though driven away, the Dog of Lust cannot be kept from coming back again."

2. This is a short popular form of the longer proverb, Hotoké no kao mo sando nazuréba, hara wo tatsu: "Stroke even the face of a Buddha three times, and his anger will be roused."

3. The popular saying, Oni no Nembutsu,"--a devil's praying,"--has a similar meaning.

4. That is to say, making an image of the Buddha without giving it a soul. This proverb is used in reference to {footnote p. 174} the conduct of those who undertake to do some work, and leave the most essential part of the work unfinished. It contains an allusion to the curious ceremony called Kai-gen, or--"Eye-Opening." This Kai-gen is a kind of consecration, by virtue of which a newly-made image is supposed to become animated by the real presence of the divinity represented.]

[1. Even so trifling an occurrence as that of resting with another person under the shadow of a tree, or drinking from the same spring with another person, is caused by the karma-relations of some previous existence.

2. From the Buddhist work Dai-chi-dô-ron.--The reader will find a similar proverb in Rhys-David's "Buddhist Suttas" (Sacred Books of the East), p. 173,--together with a very curious parable, cited in a footnote, which an Indian commentator gives in explanation.

3. A common saying among the lower classes in reference to an unfortunate or crippled child. Here the word ingwa is used especially in the retributive sense. It usually signifies evil karma; kwabô being the term used in speaking of meritorious {footnote p. 175} karma and its results. While an unfortunate child is spoken of as "a child of ingwa," a very lucky person is called a "kwabô-mono,"--that is to say, an instance, or example of kwabô.]

[1. The comparison of karma to the wheel of a wagon will be familiar to students of Buddhism. The meaning of this proverb is identical with that of the Dhammapada verse:--"If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him as the wheel follows the foot of the ox that draws the carriage."

2. A saying very commonly used in speaking of the attachment of lovers, or of the unfortunate results of any close relation between two persons.

3. Or, "like the flame of a lamp exposed to the wind." A frequent expression in Buddhist literature is, "the Wind of Death."

4. Literally, "has a soul of five bu,"--five bu being equal to half of the Japanese inch. Buddhism forbids all taking {footnote p. 176} of life, and classes as living things (Ujô) all forms having sentiency. The proverb, however,--as the use of the word "soul" (tamashii) implies,--reflects popular belief rather than Buddhist philosophy. It signifies that any life, however small or mean, is entitled to mercy.]

[1. The iwashi is a very small fish, much resembling a sardine. The proverb implies that the object of worship signifies little, so long as the prayer is made with perfect faith and pure intention.

2. Few popular Buddhist phrases are more often used than this. Jigô signifies one's own acts or thoughts; jitoku, to bring upon oneself,--nearly always in the sense of misfortune, when the word is used in the Buddhist way. "Well, it is a matter of Jigô-jitoku," people will observe on seeing a man being taken to prison; meaning, "He is reaping the consequence of his own faults."

3 Refers to the joy of meeting a good friend in time of misfortune. The above is an abbreviation. The full proverb is, Jigoku dé hotoké ni ôta yo da.]

[1. A proverb in perfect accord with the higher Buddhism.

2. Meaning that even those obliged to live in hell must learn to accommodate themselves to the situation. One should always try to make the best of circumstances. A proverb of kindred signification is, Sumeha, Miyako: "Wheresover one's home is, that is the Capital [or, Imperial City]."

3. Referring to the doctrine of cause-and-effect. Compare with verse 2 of the Dhammapada.

4. Amitâbha, the Buddha of Immeasurable Light. His image in the temples is usually gilded from head to foot.--There are many other ironical proverbs about the power of wealth,-such as Jigoku no sata mo kané shidai: "Even the Judgments of Hell may be influenced by money."]

[1. Emma is the Chinese and Japanese Yama,--in Buddhism the Lord of Hell, and the Judge of the Dead. The proverb is best explained by the accompanying drawings, which will serve to give an idea of the commoner representations of both divinities.

2. Rumor is never trustworthy.

3. Or "mind." That is to say that we suffer only from the consequences of our own faults.--The demon-torturer in the Buddhist hell says to his victim:--"Blame not me!--I am only the creation of your own deeds and thoughts: you made me for this!"--Compare with No. 36.]

[1. "This world is but a travellers' inn," would be an almost equally correct translation. Yado literally means a lodging, shelter, inn; and the word is applied often to those wa side resting-houses at which Japanese travellers halt during a journey. Kari signifies temporary, transient, fleeting,--as in the common Buddhist saying, Kono yo kari no yo: "This world is a fleeting world." Even Heaven and Hell represent to the Buddhist only halting places upon the journey to Nirvâna.

2. Refers to the vanity of selfish effort for some merely temporary end.]

[1. This verse-proverb is cited in the Buddhist work Wôjô Yôshû, with the following comment:--"Who knows whether the animal in the field, or the bird in the mountain-wood, has not been either his father or his mother in some former state of existence?"--The hototogisu is a kind of cuckoo.

2. That is to say, The love of parents for their child may impede their spiritual progress--not only in this world, but through all their future states of being,--just as a kubikasé, or Japanese cangue, impedes the movements of the person upon whom it is placed. Parental affection, being the strongest of earthly attachments, is particularly apt to cause those whom it enslaves to commit wrongful acts in the hope of benefiting their offspring.--The term Sangai here signifies the three worlds of Desire, Form, and Formlessness,--all the states of existence below Nirvâna. But the word is sometimes used to signify the Past, the Present, and the Future.

3. That is to say, The chief cause of trouble is unguarded speech. The word Kado means always the main entrance to a residence.]

[1. Kwahô, a purely Buddhist term, signifying good fortune as the result of good actions in a previous life, has come to mean in common parlance good fortune of any kind. The proverb is often used in a sense similar to that of the English saying: "Watched pot never boils." In a strictly Buddhist sense it would mean, "Do not be too eager for the reward of good deeds."

2. Do not expect harvest, unless you sow the seed. Without earnest effort no merit can be gained.

3. Kanrô, the sweet dew of Heaven, or amrita. All good things come to him who waits.

4 Literally, "on the Road of Meidô." The Meidô is the Japanese Hades,--the dark under-world to which all the dead must journey.

5 The ignorant and the vicious, not understanding the law of cause-and-effect, do not fear the certain results of their folly.]

[1. No sooner has the moon waxed full than it begins to wane. So the height of prosperity is also the beginning of fortune's decline.

2. Kozô means "acolyte" as well as "shop-boy," "errand-boy," or "apprentice;" but in this case it refers to a boy employed in a shop situated near or before the gate of a Buddhist temple. By constantly hearing the sûtra chanted in the temple, the boy learns to repeat the words. A proverb of kindred meaning is, Kangaku-In no suzumé wa, Môgyû wo sayézuru: "The sparrows of Kangaku-In [an ancient seat of learning] chirp the Môgyû,"--a Chinese text formerly taught to young students. The teaching of either proverb is excellently expressed by a third:--Narau yori wa naréro: "Rather than study [an art], get accustomed to it,"--that is to say, "keep constantly in contact with it." Observation and practice are even better than study.

3. Death and Change do not conform their ways to human expectation.]

[1. Notwithstanding the legend that only the cat and the mamushi (a poisonous viper) failed to weep for the death of the Buddha.

2. Only during sleep can we sometimes cease to know the sorrow and pain of this world. (Compare with No. 83.)

3. The teaching of Buddhist doctrine should always be adapted to the intelligence of the person to be instructed. There is another proverb of the same kind,--Ki ni yorité, hô wo toké: "According to the understanding [of the person to be taught], preach the Law."

4 Popular Buddhism teaches that to be born in the {footnote p. 186} world of mankind, and especially among a people professing Buddhism, is a very great privilege. However miserable human existence, it is at least a state in which some knowledge of divine truth may be obtained; whereas the beings in other and lower conditions of life are relatively incapable of spiritual progress.]

[1. There are many curious sayings and proverbs about the oni, or Buddhist devil,--such as Oni no mé ni mo namida, "tears in even a devil's eyes;"--Oni no kakuran, "devil's cholera" (said of the unexpected sickness of some very strong and healthy person), etc., etc.--The class of demons called Oni, properly belong to the Buddhist hells, where they act as torturers and jailers. They are not to be confounded with the Ma, Yasha, Kijin, and other classes of evil spirits. In Buddhist art they are represented as beings of enormous strength, with the heads of bulls and of horses. The bull-headed demons are called Go-zu; the horse-headed Mé-zu.

2. Meaning that great power should be given only to the strong.]

[1. Meaning that a wicked man usually marries a wicked woman.

2. Said of the parents of crippled or deformed children. But the popular idea here expressed is not altogether in accord with the teachings of the higher Buddhism.

3. That which has been done never can be undone: the past cannot be recalled.--This proverb is an abbreviation of the longer Buddhist text: Rakkwa éda ni kaerazu; ha-kyô futatabi terasazu: "The fallen blossom never returns to the branch; the shattered mirror never again reflects:"]

[1. That is to say, Your future life depends upon your conduct in this life; and you are thus free to choose for yourself the place of your next birth.

2. Within the Three States (Sangai), or universes, of Desire, Form, and Formlessness; and within the Six Worlds, or conditions of being,--Jigokudô (Hell), Gakidô (Pretas), Chikushôdô (Animal Life), Shuradô (World of Fighting and Slaughter), Ningendô (Mankind), Tenjôdô (Heavenly Spirits)--all existence is included. Beyond there is only Nirvâna. "There is no fence," "no neighborhood,"--that is to say, no limit beyond which to escape,--no middle-path between any two of these states. We shall be reborn into {footnote p. 189} some one of them according to our karma.--Compare with No. 74.]

[1. Kugai (lit.: "bitter world") is a term often used to describe the life of a prostitute.

2. Monjû Bosatsu [Mañdjus'ri Bodhisattva] figures in Japanese Buddhism as a special divinity of wisdom--The proverb signifies that three heads are better than one. A saying. of like meaning is, Hiza to mo dankô: "Consult even with your own knee;" that is to say, Despise no advice, no matter how humble the source of it.]

[1. I never hear this singular proverb without being reminded of a sentence in Huxley's famous essay, On the Physical Basis of Life:--"The living protoplasm not only ultimately dies and is resolved into its mineral and lifeless constituents, but is always dying, and, strange as the paradox may sound, could not live unless it died."

2. Nothing can happen except as a result of eternal and irrevocable law.

3. Bodai is the same word as the Sanscrit Bodhi, signifying the supreme enlightenment,--the knowledge that leads to Buddhahood; but it is often used by Japanese Buddhists in the sense of divine bliss, or the Buddha-state itself.]

[1. Or, "the Pain-Sea of Life and Death."

2. Ma (Sanscrit, Mârakâyikas) is the name given to a particular class of spirits who tempt men to evil. But in Japanese folklore the Ma have a part much resembling that occupied in Western popular superstition by goblins and fairies.

3. Said especially in reference to the result of sensual indulgence.

4. That is to say, "As dangerous as for a clay Buddha to play with water." Children often amuse themselves by making little Buddhist images of mud, which melt into shapelessness, of course, if placed in water.]

[1. The beauty of the moon is obscured by masses of clouds; the trees no sooner blossom than their flowers are scattered by the wind. All beauty is evanescent.

2. That is, a pious device for effecting conversion, Such a device is justified especially by the famous parable of the third chapter of the Saddharma Pundarîka.

8 Meaning that one most reveres the hotoké--the spirits of the dead regarded as Buddhas--in one's own household-shrine. There is an ironical play upon the word hotoké, which may mean either a dead person simply, or a Buddha. Perhaps the spirit of this proverb may be better explained by the help of another: Nigéta sakana ni {footnote p. 193} chisai wa nai; shinda kodomo ni warui ko wa nai--"fish that escaped was never small; child that died was never bad."]

[1. This curious saying is the only one in my collection containing the word Neban (Nirvâna), and is here inserted chiefly for that reason, The common people seldom speak of Neban, and have little knowledge of those profound doctrines to which the term is related. The above phrase, as might be inferred, is not a popular expression: it is rather an artistic and poetical reference to the aspect of a landscape covered with snow to the horizon-line,--so that beyond the snow-circle there is only the great void of the sky.

2. Not so commonplace a proverb as might appear at first sight; for it refers especially to the Buddhist belief that every kindness shown to us in this life is a return of kindness done to others in a former life, and that every wrong inflicted upon us is the reflex of some injustice which we committed in a previous birth.

3. A very common saying,--often uttered as a comment upon the unhappiness of separation, upon sudden misfortune, {footnote p. 194}upon sudden death, etc. It is used especially in relation to shinjû, or lovers' suicide. Such suicide is popularly thought to be a result of cruelty in some previous state of being, or the consequence of having broken, in a former life, the mutual promise to become husband and wife.]