Zen Poem: Undefeated by the Rain

Translated by Shoko A. Purdy

Enclosed (below) is a translation of a poem by one of very popular authors of Japan, Kenji Miyazawa. Actually, it is a note written among pages of “Nammyo Horen Gekyo” in a small notebook the author had kept during the last years of his short life and found after his death. The poem epitomizes the Oriental philosophy. It is so popular that we used to memorize it in our 6th and 7th grade reading classes. Justin said of the poem–“the poem carries the very essence of Buddhism in it”.

Kenji was born to a well-to-do family that owned a pawn shop in a very poor farming village. As a young child, he became aware of and sympathetic to hard working farmers around him. He boarded in a Zen temple during his teen age years. His wonderful stories and poems were never recognized during his life.

My translation may not be perfect, however, I tried to be as close as possible to the original language and did not add nor take anything from it.

– Shoko A. Purdy

Undefeated by the Rain

Undefeated by the Rain Undefeated by the Wind
Not even by the Snow Nor by the Heat of Summer
Having such a Healthy Body

Never having Greed
Never being Angry
Always smiling Calmly

Eating four cups of brown Rice, Miso (Soy bean paste)
and a little vegetable for a daily meal

Understanding everything
Without being involved Emotionally
By listening and watching Carefully
And not Forgetting

Living in a small thatched Hut
In the shade of a Pine Tree in a field

Go and take care of a sick child in the East
Go and take a bundle of rice harvest from a tired mother in the West
Go and tell not to be afraid to a dying man in the South
Go and stop arguments and complaints in the North
For it is not worth it

Shedding tears for the Summer Drought
Walking tearfully for the Cold Days of Summer

Being called a Worthless Man
Not even being praised
Nor being annoyed

Such is a Person I want to Be

– Kenji Miyazawa (1896-1933)
Nov. 3, 1931