James Nakashima

By Rennyo Shonin, 1410-1499

In silently contemplating the transient nature of human existence, nothing is more fragile and fleeting in the world than the life of man. Thus, we have not heard of human life lasting for a thousand years. Life passes swiftly, and who among men can maintain his form for even one hundred years?

Whether I go before others, or others go before me, whether it be today to tomorrow, who is to know? Those who depart before us are as countless as the drops of dew.

Though in the morning we may have radiant health, in the evening we may return to white ashes. When the winds of impermanence blow, our eyes are closed forever; and when the last breath leaves us, our face loses its color. Though loved ones gather and lament, everything is to no avail.

The body is then sent into an open field and vanishes from this world with the smoke of cremation leaving only the white ashes. Nothing is more real than this truth of life.