A Dewdrop

On an autumn evening, Ryokan took a stroll in a potato field. Thinking he was a potato thief, the farmer ambushed him, beat him on the head, tied him up, and hung him on a pine tree.

Ryokan then said, "It's me. I am not stealing your potatoes."

Recognizing his voice, the farmer brought him bown and apologized.

Ryokan left while chanting:

One who strikes
and one who is struck
are equally
like a dewdrop, a flash.
Understand this.

---Kazuaki Tanahashi---