Quote by Ryokan: “Living in this world, at times I'm a buddha, at times a fool.”

This humorous and humble quote acknowledges the duality of human experience. It suggests that we all have moments of great wisdom and clarity, as well as moments of silliness or mistakes, and both are part of being human, emphasizing self-acceptance.

Ryōkan was known for his unconventional, playful approach to Zen Buddhism, often living as a hermit. He found wisdom in everyday life and embraced all aspects of his human experience during a period of relative peace and cultural flourishing in Japan.

Japanese Zen Buddhist monk and poet of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, renowned for his simple lifestyle, love of children, and deeply personal calligraphy and verse. He lived alone in a mountain hut for much of his life, refusing temple appointments and administrative roles in favor of wandering, writing, and play. His poems are among the most beloved in Japanese literary tradition.