Ikkyu(u) Soujun Zenji (1394-1481) is one of the most well known Japanese Zen Masters. It seems that his eccentric nature was fairly typical of the great masters who seemed frustrated with the "watered-down" practice of many--and the focus on dogma instead of direct experience. This is one of my favorite "quotes/poems" of his and I felt that it went well with the background watercolor in my traveler's notebook. I am always drawn to those words that are able to touch the deep vastness of being.

..."Every day, priests minutely examine the law, and endlessly chant complicated sutras. Before that, though, they should learn how to read the love letters sent by the wind and the rain, the snow and moon." ~Ikkyu