一休

一休(Ikkyu) was a monk of Zen buddhism. He is a very popular monk in Japan. A TV anime of Ikkyu is very popular in Japan.(This anime is made in this age and it is defferent from Ikkyu small talk.)



It seems Ikkyu's small talk(Ikkyu ko-banshi) is not true story but we can learn Zen's concept by its humorous stories. I reccomend you not to read this story while eating.



Long long ago, a groundless rumor has spread among people in Kyoto. It is that Ikkyu can restore Sashimi to life. And Ikkyu also heard the rumor, and said "OK, I'll show them, I will revive Sashimi and change it to a fish!."



Ikkyu put up a notice and told people that he will show the skill to revive Sashimi of carp at a square and asked people to gather.



After a few days, Ikkyu appeared in front of cloud people and said "I'll show you, have a careful look." Ikkkyu started eating yummy-looking Sashimi. It was delicious. Ikkyu was gratified but did nothing after finished eating. People were murmurous. "Hey, Ikkyu-san! Show us now!" but Ikkyu said "Wait, now I'm reviving Sashimi in my stomach.". People reluctantly wait for hours.



Then, Ikkyu said "OK, I show you now!" Ikkyu gave his student an order and the student bring a tub. Ikkyu hitched up his skirt of Kimono and sit squat and did a poo into the tab, and said "Look! Sashimi was revived! HAHAHA!!".



People were astonished and got angry. "What are you doing!?, Don't show us such a thing!!!You are stupid!!! I shouldn't have believed what Ikkyu said!!!! Damn it all!". People hit the way.



But a monk was impressed by Ikkyu and the monk admiringly said "Ikkyu-san set a personal example to us that there is no paranormal phenomenon and there is nothing special in the world, and people learned firsthand about it. Ikkyu-san is a great monk."



By the way, Ikkyu was a person with backbone. In the age Ikkyu lived, Zen buddhism grew corrupt. Zen monks bought and sold certifications of Satori(enlightenment). And they were authoritarian character. Ikkyu had kept defying them. As foot note to read next story, "sell frocks(Kesa wo uru)" means monks earn a living with authoritarian stance, "sell rouge" means prostituting.



Long long ago, a prostitute was died. But she couldn't go to pure land because she regret her prostituting. She became a ghost and appeared every night. A dweller asked Ikkyu to sort out this problem. Ikkyu took it on himself.



At the night, the ghost appeared and Ikkyu said "Monks sell frocks and women sell rouge!!!!!!!". The ghost returned thanks to Ikkyu and could go to pure land.



According to description, Ikkyu meant that high priest and people were born in humble circumstances are same unhallowed existence. There is no favoritism in Buddha's world.



I wrote the story depending on my memories. So I may misunderstand those story but as for the heart of the story, It is not different from real Ikkyu smal talk.



Accroding to an American researcher, Ikkyu is one of two most greatest person of thought.

And it is said Ikkyu was a son of a Emperor Go-Komatsu.



The photo is Ryoanji rock garden.