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, August 21, 2016

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.

No comments:

Post a Comment