Nichinichi kore kōnichi (Japanese: 日々是好日) is a Japanese Zen Buddhist proverb. It is thought to be Yunmen Wenyan's answer in the sixth case of the kōan collection Blue Cliff Record.[1][2][3][4] It has been presented by some Zen masters (notably, Kōdō Sawaki and his disciple Taisen Deshimaru).[5] It was a favorite saying of the avant-garde composer John Cage, featured in Song Books (1970) as "Solo for Voice 64". It may also be written as 日々是好日, 雲門日日是好日, 雲門日々是好日, 雲門好日, and 雲門十五日.[6][7][8]
Readings
As a Zen word in Japanese, the correct way to read the phrase is Nichinichi kore kōnichi.[9] It can also be read as Nichinichi kore kōjitsu and Hibi kore kōjitsu;[10] there are also examples of it being read as Hibi kore kōnichi.
Nichinichi kore kōnichi literally translates to "every day is a good day",[11][12] or "try to spend every day meaningfully".[13]
References
- ↑ Katsuki Sekida, "Two Zen Classics: Mumonkan, Hekiganroku." Weatherhill, 1977. ISBN 0-8348-0130-2.
- ↑ Thomas Cleary and J.C. Cleary, "Blue Cliff Record". Shambala, Boston/London, 2005. ISBN 0-87773-622-7. Originally published in 1977.
- ↑ Urs App, "Master Yunmen". Kodansha, 1994. ISBN 1-56836-004-5
- ↑ 総合仏教大辞典編集委員会(編) (January 1988). 総合仏教大辞典 (in Japanese). 法蔵館. p. 98.
- ↑ Taisen Deshimaru (1 October 1981). La Pratique du Zen (in French). ISBN 978-2226012876.
- ↑ 広瀬大輔. "禅語を味わう 日々是好日" (in Japanese). 小林山達磨寺. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
- ↑ "心の杖 2004年9月 日々是好日" (in Japanese). 金寳山瑞龍寺. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
- ↑ 総合仏教大辞典編集委員会(編) (January 1988). 総合仏教大辞典 (in Japanese). 法蔵館. p. 98.
- ↑ 中村元ほか(編) (October 2002). 岩波仏教辞典 (in Japanese) (第二版 ed.). 岩波書店. p. 789.
- ↑ Kōjien 6th Edition
- ↑ "Nichi nichi kore ko jitsu – every day is a good day". September 28, 2007.
- ↑ "Everyday is a good day (nichinichi kore koujitsu)". Takase Studios.
- ↑ "Chagake With Zen Idiom "Nichi-Nichi Kore Kojitsu" - Japanese Tea Mart Rikyu". www.rikyucha.com.