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5. Wasan in Praise of Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva
Verses 111-118
Jōdo Wasan 111
Having realised the perfect, all-pervasive truth of the Nembutsu,
Mahāsthāmaprāpta, together with fifty-two bodhisattvas,
Rose from his seat and prostrated himself
At the feet of Shakyamuni Buddha.
Jōdo Wasan 112
He addressed the World-honoured one, the master of the teaching,
‘Ages ago, kalpas countless as the Ganges’ sands in the past,
A Buddha appeared in the world
Whose name was Immeasurable Light.’
Jōdo Wasan 113
‘Thereafter Tathagatas succeeded each other,
Twelve in all, over a duration of twelve kalpas;
The last Tathagata was named
Light that surpasses Sun and Moon.’
Jōdo Wasan 114
‘The Tathagata of Light that Surpasses the Sun and Moon
Taught me the Nembutsu-samadhi.
The Tathagatas of the ten quarters compassionately regard
Each sentient being as their only child.’
Jōdo Wasan 115
‘When sentient beings think on Amida,
Just as a child thinks of its mother,
They indeed see the Tathagata – who is never distant –
Both in the present and in the future.’
Jōdo Wasan 116
‘Such beings are like people who, imbued with incense,
Bear its fragrance on their bodies;
They may be called
Those adorned with the fragrance of light.’
Jōdo Wasan 117
‘When I was in the causal state,
I realised insight into the non-origination of all existence
By coming to possess the mind of Nembutsu;
Hence now, in the world of Saha,
Jōdo Wasan 118
I embrace persons of the Nembutsu
And bring them into the Pure Land.’
Let us respond with deep gratitude for the great benevolence
Of Bodhisattva Mahāsthāmaprāpta.
This concludes the hymns to Bodhisattva Mahāsthāmaprāpta,
the original state of Master Genku.
That concludes the Jodo Wasan series by OBT resident minister Re. Sugahara Yuki.
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We would like to thank Rev. Sugahara for his work and dedication to supporting us fools in this life with the Nembutsu teaching.
Gassho.
Namo Amida Butsu!