<– Previous Part 2: Wasan on the Three Pure Land Sutras
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3. Amida Wasan Based on the Heart of Various Sutras
Verses 87-95
Jōdo Wasan 87
Amida, full of compassion for those lost in
the great night of ignorance –
The wheel of light of dharma-body being boundless –
Took the form of the Buddha of Unhindered Light,
And appeared in the land of peace.
Jōdo Wasan 88
Amida, who attained Buddhahood in the infinite past,
Full of compassion for foolish beings of the five defilements,
Took the form of Shakyamuni Buddha
And appeared in Gaya.
Jōdo Wasan 89
Let Amida be praised for a hundred thousand kotis of kalpas
By a hundred thousand kotis of tongues,
Each producing countless voices,
And still that praise would be incomplete.
Jōdo Wasan 90
The Great Sage Shakyamuni teaches
That Amida’s land is easy to reach,
And calls the sentient being who doubts the Pure Land path
A person lacking eyes, or lacking ears.
Jōdo Wasan 91
The Supreme that is unexcelled is true emancipation;
True emancipation is none other than Tathagata.
When we attain true emancipation,
We become free of desire and free of doubt.
Jōdo Wasan 92
When a person realises the mind of non-discrimination,
That attainment is the ‘state of regarding each being as
one’s only child.’
This is none other than Buddha-Nature;
We will awaken to it n reaching the land of peace.
Jōdo Wasan 93
Tathagata is none other than nirvana;
Nirvana is called Buddha-nature.
Beyond our ability to attain it in the state of foolish beings,
We will realise it on reaching the land of peace.
Jōdo Wasan 94
The person who attains shinjin and joy
Is taught to be equal to the Tathagatas.
Great shinjin is itself Buddha-nature;
Buddha-nature is none other than Tathagata.
Jōdo Wasan 95
Sentient beings who, with hindered understandings,
Doubt the Buddha’s unhindered wisdom,
Will sink for many kalpas in various forms of pain
In the hells of Śamvara and Piṇḍola.
—> Next: Part 4. Wasan on Benefits in the Present: Verses 96-110
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Gassho.
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