It has now been three years, more or less,
Since I left behind the miscellaneous practices
And abandoning the myriad beliefs,
Boarded the ship of the Primal Vow
And embarked on the Pure Land Way.
Blown by the wind of Other-Power,
I cross the great ocean of birth-and-death,
To the blissful shore of great emancipation.
Though I am destined to remain in the world
For so long as my karma determines,
I will dwell constantly in joy and gratitude.
The clouds of fear and doubt are broken through,
And the sun of Amida’s wisdom and mercy
Shines unendingly upon my blind and ignorant self.
The karma that binds me to birth-and-death
Being dissolved in the unending Light that embraces me
With no thought of abandoning, I am sure to obtain
Birthless birth in the Land of Fulfillment.
From being someone without any refuge,
I became a person blessed daily
By the innumerable virtues and the ten benefits;
How awesome is the Power of the Primal Vow!
Having myself received these benefits in Amida’s Name,
Which contains the merit for our going forth and returning,
I wish to share this teaching with all beings,
So that they too might accept true faith,
The cause of supreme Nirvana.
NAMO AMIDA BUTSU
Dharma verses composed on December 9, 2014
