Quote by Ryokan: “I steal no rice, nor do I plant it. I just live.”

This quote illustrates a life of complete non-attachment and simplicity. It suggests a rejection of worldly pursuits and a focus on simply existing, free from the cycles of acquisition, production, and striving that define much of society, embodying true contentment.

Ryōkan often subsisted on alms, avoiding conventional work or possessions, embodying a radical simplicity in line with his Zen practice. His life exemplified prioritizing spiritual freedom over material concerns in Edo period 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.