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Translate calligraphy on Sengai's drawing of a sitting frog

noba

後輩
14 Jul 2015
26
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Please try to translate Sengai's calligraphy on this drawing of a frog.
 

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  • Sengais meditating frog.jpg
    Sengais meditating frog.jpg
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「坐禅して人か佛になるならハ」

Zazen shite hito ka hotoke ni narunaraba.

Please wait for our experts, but I'd translate this roughly to: "Through zazen, you could become either a person or a Buddha." Meaning you can't reach enlightenment by only focusing on the outer form of zazen and neglecting the spiritual aspects of seeking the right path.

 
Embedded in this image and the accompanying phrase, is the idea that if zazen was all that was required, then even a frog could become human (because the frog is basically sitting in a zazen-like position all day). So it is a mild admonishment against just following the basic postures of zen.

In other words, what Thomas said above.
 
「坐禅して人か佛になるならハ」

Zazen shite hito ka hotoke ni narunaraba.

Please wait for our experts, but I'd translate this roughly to: "Through zazen, you could become either a person or a Buddha." Meaning you can't reach enlightenment by only focusing on the outer form of zazen and neglecting the spiritual aspects of seeking the right path.

Thank you!
 
Embedded in this image and the accompanying phrase, is the idea that if zazen was all that was required, then even a frog could become human (because the frog is basically sitting in a zazen-like position all day). So it is a mild admonishment against just following the basic postures of zen.

In other words, what Thomas said above.
Thank you!
 
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