Namu Amida Butsu

This work is especially dedicated to Zuiken Saizo Inagaki, who sheds light on the pristine and original teachings of Jodo Shinshu (Shin Buddhism) for many people, including myself. I regard him as my soul teacher and I am very much influenced by his words and thoughts, which are deeply imbued with the Wisdom of Compassion of Amida Buddha. I read most of his writings available in Chinese language and I wish to share some of his golden words in this blog in English. Rev. George Gatenby and Mr. Gabriel Schlaefer have been kindly and untiringly assisting me to edit the translated essays so that they are readable and true to the intent of Sensei. May all partake of the wisdom of Shinshu teaching and be overpowered by the light of Amida Buddha.

Namu Amida Butsu!

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Extra-canonical Wasan 英訳帖外和讃

T. Vol. 83, p. 669a-b.
Translated from Japanese
Zuio Hisao Inagaki with the help of John Paraskevopoulos, June 26, 2014

1. Having fulfilled the Forty-eight Vows,
    (Dharmakara) became Amida, the Enlightened One;
    All who have entrusted themselves to him
    Attain the Certainly-Assured State for Birth.

2. In the Fulfilled Land of Eternal Happiness,
    Those who follow difficult practices will find it hard to attain
    birth;
    The Tathagata has chosen the essential practice,
    Whereby he taught us the Exclusive Practice (of Nembutsu).

3. (Dharmakara’s) practice, extending over numerous kalpas,
    Has been condensed into the three letters – A-mi-da;
    The Name consummated after five-kalpas’ deep thoughts
    Is freely transferred to us dwelling in the five defilements.

4. The three kinds of acts of Amida Tathagata and
    Those of Nembutsu-followers
    Penetrate each other in a diamond-like Faith,
    Leading us to become settled in the Certainly-Assured State.

5. Much learning and observation of the precepts are not
    required,
    Nor are breaches of the precepts or evil acts rejected;
    Only those who are mindful of Amida
    Can have their ‘tiles’ and ‘pebbles’ turned into gold.

6. Shinjin, as hard and indestructible as a diamond,
    Arises from the Buddha’s continuous remembrance of us;
    Without his expedient Other-Power,
    How can we attain the Determined Faith?

7. In the Ocean of the Great Vow
    There are no waves of evil passions;
    Once on board the ship of Great Vows,
    We entrust ourselves to the wind of Great Compassion.

8. Ever since we heard of the Compassionate Vow,
    Do we still remain ordinary people of birth-and-death?
    Though our defiled bodies undergo no change,
    Our minds enjoy sauntering in the Pure Land.

9. In the Forty-eight Great Vows,
    The Thirty-fifth Vow in particular
    Promises that Amida takes in and
    Saves women-kind.
 

  

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