5 Quotes & Sayings By Fukuoka

Fukuoka was born in 1383, during the Muromachi period. He began his career as a samurai but later renounced the imperial court to become a monk. He was named Chikafusa, meaning "child of the Buddha" by his followers. In 1411 he founded the Jōdo Shinshū sect of Pure Land Buddhism Read more

Fukuoka's teachings are detailed in his forty-book collection Korenshū, which consists of both prose and poetry, sermons, and essays on Buddhism and other subjects. The writings of his followers contain a wealth of information about Japan and its culture and people during the Edo (1603-1868) and early Meiji (1868-1912) periods.

1
A natural person can achieve right diet because his instinct is in proper working order. He is satisfied with simple food; it is nutritious, tastes good, and is useful daily medicine. Food and the human spirit are united. Fukuoka
2
The foods that are nearby are best for human beings, and things that he has to struggle to obtain turn out to be the least beneficial of all. Fukuoka
3
I believe that a revolution can begin from this one strand of straw. Seen at a glance, this rice straw may appear light and insignificant. Hardly anyone would believe that it could start a revolution. Nevertheless, I have come to realize the weight and power of this straw. Fukuoka
4
I do not particularly like the word "work.” Human beings are the only animals who have to work, and I think this is the most ridiculous thing in the world. Other animals make their livings by living, but people work like crazy, thinking that they have to in order to stay alive. The bigger the job, the greater the challenge, and the more wonderful they think it is. It would be good to give up that way of thinking and live an easy, comfortable life with plenty of free time. . Fukuoka