至善
晴にあらず 雨にあらず 睡蓮の天
山にあらず 林にあらず 在家の仙
一日を一生として 興究まりなし
老楽は唯至善を行うに在り
西行 (1118-1190)
(武士、僧侶、歌人)
Whether it rains or shines, the water lilies will bloom.
Whether I live in the mountains or woods, I will live and die as those before me.
Thus, with boundless amusement, I live out each day as if a lifetime,
The joy of aging lies in deeds of extreme goodness.
Twelfth Century samurai warrior, Zen practitioner, and poet Saigyo (1118–1190)
Translation by Norie Lynn Fukuda-Matsushima (chief translator/copy editor for LOCAL FOCUS)