On this page you can enjoy listening to Ondokusan presented with the score below.
Chanting and singing with others is fulfilling on many levels. So we hope you enjoy the embedded Youtube videos. Please follow the links to the original content and be sure to like, subscribe and comment on their Youtube channels.
To learn Ondokusan in Japanese sign language, please visit this page of Hompa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin, were you can learn this with Rev. Joshin Kamuro https://hawaiibetsuin.org/multimedia-speaker/rev-joshin-kamuro/
Ondokusan was written by Shinran Shonin at the age of 86 in 1258.
Such is the benevolence of Amida’s great compassion.
Shozomatsu Wasan 59
That we must strive to return it, even to the breaking of our bodies;
Such is the benevolence of the masters and true teachers,
That we must endeavour to repay it, even to our bones becoming dust.
Shozomatsu Wasan 59 – Original Words of Shinran
如来大悲の恩徳は
身を粉にしても報ずべし
師主知識の恩徳も
ほねをくだきても謝すべし
わたしたちをお救い下さる阿弥陀仏の大いなる慈悲の恩徳と、教え導いてくださる釈尊や祖師がたの恩徳に、身を粉にしてでも骨を砕いてでも、深く感謝して報いていかなければならない。
Modern Japanese translation
Please see Credits & Links at the end of the page.
– Download the complete BCA’s Shin Buddhist Service Book in PDF format here –
– Download the complete HHMH’s Shin Buddhist Service Book in PDF format here –
Ondokusan – Japanese followed by English
The English is a translation by the Hawaii Music Committee’s Gatha Translation Subcommittee. A delight to sing. Gassho.
“By the Benevolence of Amida’s Light,
Hawaii Music Committee’s Gatha Translation Subcommittee
How in utmost we entrust deep thanks express;
For our debt to teachers for their guidance true,
We dedicate ourselves in gratefulness.”
We hope you are overflowing with Gratefulness after enjoying both versions of the Gatha (Hymn). Hopefully singing along too.
If you have some time it is fun to see the many different versions of Ondokusan online. Try these two searches:
Search in Japanese on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%E6%81%A9%E5%BE%B3%E8%AE%83
Search in English on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Ondokusan
Thank you for reading and singing.
Gassho.
——-
Links & Credits:
Moiliili Hongwanji Buddhist Temple’s YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcx6rQgQZWn6UvMaYK7D8UA/featured
Moiliili Hongwanji Buddhist Temple’s Website: https://www.moiliilihongwanji.org/
If you want to make an offering to the Moiliili Temple, please visit this page: https://www.moiliilihongwanji.org/donate/