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Ryokan (1758-1831), Three Poems on My Begging Bowl
Picking violets
by the roadside
I've forgotten and left
my begging bowl --
that begging bowl of mine
I've forgotten
My begging bowl
But no one would steal it --
How sad for my begging bowl
In my begging bowl
Violets and dandelions
Jumbled together --
I offer them to the
Buddhas of the Three Worlds
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I bring my violets and dandelions
to the dojo and spread them around.
I hold up one flower;
Sensei and I smile together.
Like others have mentioned, I have never known a Sensei to turn away a student with a good heart and an empty "begging bowl."
Peace,
Frank
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