Since I recently gushed about the awesome Japanese historical drama, The Thirteen Lords of Kamakura, I wanted to share a quote from the real life epic, the Tales of the Heike, namely the opening line:
| Japanese | Romanization | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 祇園精舎の鐘の聲、 諸行無常の響き有り。 | Gionshōja no kane no koe, Shogyōmujō no hibiki ari. | The bells of the Gion monastery [Jetavana Grove] in India echo with the warning that all things are impermanent. |
| 沙羅雙樹の花の色、 盛者必衰の理を顯す。 | Sarasōju no hana no iro, Jōshahissui no kotowari wo arawasu. | The blossom of the sala trees teach us through their hues that what flourishes must fade. |
| 驕れる者も久しからず、 唯春の夜の夢の如し。 | Ogoreru mono mo hisashikarazu, tada haru no yo no yume no gotoshi. | The proud do not prevail for long but vanish like a spring night’s dream. |
| 猛き者も遂には滅びぬ、 偏に風の前の塵に同じ。 | Takeki mono mo tsui ni wa horobin(u), hitoeni kaze no mae no chiri ni onaji. | In time the mighty, too, succumb: all are dust before the wind. |
Like one wave coming after another, it never really ends, and each wave that arrives is soon gone.
The phrase 諸行無常 (shogyō mujō) in particular is an example of a Buddhist yojijukugo phrase that is used even now in Japanese language. It essentially means the impermanence of all phenomena. I sometimes use this phrase half-jokingly with my kids or my wife when I drop dishes on the floor, throw away an old shirt, or whatever, but I do sincerely believe that all things are like waves in the ocean, arising briefly, or scattering blossoms in the wind.
P.S. Featured photo was something I took in early January of 2021 during a low point. There was much to be stressed out about at the time, but much of it has passed since.
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