The True Essence of Anjin (Hymn 3/13)

(3)

Do not conceive of shinjin

Outside the six-syllable Command;

Do not seek after peace of mind (anjin)

Outside the Call, which is true and real.

The truth and reality of the Tathagata is “Saving you!”—

The Call true and real, all-embracing and non-forsaking.

The truth and reality of “Should (they) not be born there,”

Essentially is my anjin!

Other than this Command true and real,

(There is) no Perfect Enlightenment.

The command of the Tathagata true and real

And the “Faith” true and real are not different.

Relying on the Call of the all-embracing Vow-power

I feel content, my mind at peace (anjin)!

Becoming the master of the virtue of the Jewel (Name)

The Primal Vow-power fills my body.

The realization of the true and real Tathagata

Is the manifestation of the true and real Teaching

The true and real Teaching—Namo Amida Butsu

The true and real Call

Namo Amida Butsu—saying the Nembutsu

Namo Amida Butsu—shinjin, Birth

Namo Amida Butsu.

“New Year’s Day! Namo Amida Butsu. All things are satisfied.”

Do not hear the truth and reality of the Tathagata

While recklessly wishing to discard the doubtful mind.

The mind desiring to acquire shinjin and anjin

Is the unconstructive self-power calculation.

The truth and reality of the compassionate Parent—Namo Amida Butsu

The truth and reality of the Vow is not false.

The True Essence of Anjin: Hymn 2/13

Revised 24/12/23

“Your afterlife has been fully taken care of by the compassionate Parent Himself.

He definitely saves you!

Don't worry! Don't worry!”

The mind of an ordinary person (bombu) is always changing and impermanent.

Where is your mind from yesterday?

Even your present mind is like a windmill,

Nor is your mind of tomorrow reliable.

What has never changed is the mind of great compassion of our compassionate Parent.

So look up to and trust in the unhindered Buddha-wisdom!

The compassionate Parent possesses the true and real Primal Vow-power (the Name of the Vow)

Hear His compassionate Vow:

“Should [they] not be born there”—

It is the true and real virtue, 

without any mistake.

The truth and reality (shinjitsu) of the Tathagata is not contrived.

Listen to the truth and reality that never misleads.

“Should [they] not be born there, may I not attain the Perfect Enlightenment!"

The Vow declares, “Should [they] not be born there, may I not attain the Perfect Enlightenment”— this is the truth and reality.

Amida and I are like pine leaves;

Wherever we fall, we are together.

Passengers on the same sailing ship

Are together, whether in life or death; their relationship is that deep.

Buddha and bombu are one—the Primal Vow-power.

An equal cause and effect,

The twofold benefit of self and other—

These are the Buddha-wisdom and great compassion, which are inconceivable!

The inconceivable Buddha-wisdom is the Primal Vow-power.

The truth and reality of the Tathagata, His Call,

“Should [they] not be born there” is the Primal Vow (Vow),

The majestic power of the Sacred Name of six-characters (Power);

The Vow (seigan) and the Name (Power)

Are contained in His Call.

The compassionate Parent is calling to me;

His Call has been sounding since ages of distant eons [ago].

The compassion of the Tathagata is like a ball of fire.

When you reverently accept the inconceivable Buddha-wisdom as “truly inconceivable,” great peace of mind (anjin) is awakened.

Clouds and mists all fade away.

The light of all-embracing compassion—what overwhelming joy!

Even the mind of joy is (the working of) the Primal Vow-power

Within His Call is contained the realization of the all-embracing Vow-power.

The Call of “Come just as you are!” never ceases, without even a moment’s interruption.

Relying on this true and real “command,”

The evil karma and passions dissolve in the unhindered light

and “the calculative mind” has disappeared!

Virtuous and unvirtuous minds, and faith have all been discarded,

The round moon is shining brightly (Primal Vow-power);

Amid our going and returning we forget ourselves.

The True Essence of Anjin: Hymn 1/13

All honor to the venerable Shakyamuni Buddha!

All honor to the venerable Amida Buddha!

Buddhas are inconceivable and precious,

For their appearance in this world

Is to rescue all sentient beings.

The two honorable ones, Sakyamuni and Amida Buddhas, are our compassionate Parents,    

For their benevolence and grace are so immense and profound that we can never repay them.

Bombu and Buddha are different in level;

There are fifty two levels of difference between them.   

The Buddha is our compassionate Parent, the Tathagata,

Who is most revered, and worthy of praise;

To whom we shall always repay His benovelence.

Greetings, my companions!

Illumined and fostered by the Triple Gems －the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha,

We shall strive to seek the Dharma, and disentangle life and death;

We shall spread the true Dharma pervasively throughout the ten directions.

Just like the grass and trees in the open field of summer,

They are equally watered by the rain of the Dharma.