“When you encounter those who are wicked, unrighteous, foolish, dim-witted, deformed, vicious, chronically ill, lonely, unfortunate, or disabled, you should think: “How can I save them?””
Zen Poetics of Ryokan (2006)
Context: When you encounter those who are wicked, unrighteous, foolish, dim-witted, deformed, vicious, chronically ill, lonely, unfortunate, or disabled, you should think: “How can I save them?” And even if there is nothing you can do, at least you must not indulge in feelings of arrogance, superiority, derision, scorn, or abhorrence, but should immediately manifest sympathy and compassion. If you fail to do so, you should feel ashamed and deeply reproach yourself: “How far I have strayed from the Way! How can I betray the old sages? I take these words as an admonition to myself.”
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Ryōkan 18
Japanese Buddhist monk 1758–1831Related quotes
"All You Wanted"
2000s, The Spirit Room (2001)
Context: I wanted, to be like you. I wanted, everything. So, I tried. To be like you, and I got swept away. I didn't know that it was so cold and, you needed someone to show you the way. So I took your hand and we figured out, that when the time comes? I'd take you away. If you want to? I can save you; I can take you away from here. So lonely inside; so busy out there. And all you wanted, was somebody who cares.
Interview in The Observer http://observer.guardian.co.uk/magazine/story/0,,1429594,00.html (6 March 2005).
“I prefer the wicked rather than the foolish. The wicked sometimes rest.”
