2.—Atama soru yori kokoro wo soré.
Better to shave the heart than to shave the head.[[2]]
[2] Buddhist nuns and priests have their heads completely shaven. The proverb signifies that it is better to correct the heart,—to conquer all vain regrets and desires,—than to become a religious. In common parlance the phrase “to shave the head” means to become a monk or a nun.
3.—Au wa wakaré no hajimé.
Meeting is only the beginning of separation.[[3]]
[3] Regret and desire are equally vain in this world of impermanency; for all joy is the beginning of an experience that must have its pain. This proverb refers directly to the sutra-text,—Shōja hitsumetsu é-sha-jori,—” All that live must surely die; and all that meet will surely part.”
4.—Banji wa yumé.
All things[[4]] are merely dreams.
[4] Literally, “ten thousand things.”
5.—Bonbu mo satoréba hotoké nari.
Even a common man by obtaining knowledge becomes a Buddha.[[5]]
[5] The only real differences of condition are differences in knowledge of the highest truth.
6.—Bonnō kunō.
All lust is grief.[[6]]
[6] All sensual desire invariably brings sorrow.