Sunday, October 8, 2023

Three Jodo Shinshu Buddhist hymns recited in Amidaji style by Rev Josho and Rev Kosho (audio/video)

Here are three hymns recited in the powerful and energetic Amidaji style at Amidaji temple in Romania, during the Nembutsu retreat organized on the occasion of our first monk (priest) ordination (click here to read about it).
Each hymn is followed by the phonetical recitation and the English translation. All the hymns we use as well as various liturgical and worshipping explanations are explained in my book, Worshipping Amida Buddha - Liturgies and Ceremonies of Amidaji Temple, that you cand download for free or buy at this link. 

The Nembutsu liturgy


●●

doshi (the Leader): BU JO MI DA NYO RAI NIU DO JO

we respectfully call upon Amida Buddha to enter this place of practice[1]

doon (together): SAN GE RAKU[2]

as we joyfully scatter flowers of welcome

 

doshi: BU JO SHA KA NYO RAI NIU DO JO

we respectfully call upon Shakyamuni Buddha to enter this place of practice

doon: SAN GE RAKU

as we joyfully scatter flowers of welcome

 

doshi: BU JO JIP-PO NYO RAI NIU DO JO

we respectfully call upon all Buddhas from the ten directions

doon: SAN GE RAKU 

as we joyfully scatter flowers of welcome

  

doshi: NAMO KIE BU, NAMO KIE HO, NAMO KIE SO[3]

I take refuge in the Buddha, I take refuge in the Dharma, I take refuge in the Sangha

doon: NAMO KIE BU. NAMO KIE HO. NAMO KIE SO

doon: NAMO KIE BU. NAMO KIE HO. NAMO KIE SO

doon: NAMO KIE BU. NAMO KIE HO. NAMO KIE SO

 doshi: KI MYO JIN JI PO MU GE KO NYO RAI[4]

I take refuge in/Homage to the Tathagata of Unhindered Light Pervading the Ten Quarters

doon: KI MYO JIN JI PO MU GE KO NYO RAI

doon: KI MYO JIN JI PO MU GE KO NYO RAI

doon: KI MYO JIN JI PO MU GE KO NYO RAI

 

doshi: NA MO FU KA SHI GI KO NYO RAI[5]

I take refuge in/Homage to the Tathagata of Inconceivable Light

doon: NA MO FU KA SHI GI KO NYO RAI

doon: NA MO FU KA SHI GI KO NYO RAI

doon: NA MO FU KA SHI GI KO NYO RAI

doshi: NA MO A MI DA BU[6]

I take refuge in/Homage to Amida Buddha

doon: NA MO A MI DA BU, NA MO A MI DA BU, NA MO A MI DA BU, NA MO A MI DA BU, NA MO A MI DA BU, NA MO A MI DA BU, NA MO A MI DA BU[7] …………

 

doshi:NA MO

I take refuge in (homage to)

 

doon:

MU RYO KO BU

Buddha of Infinite Light

MU HEN KO BU

Buddha of Boundless Light

MU GE KO BU

Buddha of Unhindered Light

MU TAI KO BU

Buddha of Incomparable Light

EN NO KO BU

Buddha Lord of Blazing Light

SHO JO KO BU

Buddha of Pure Light

KAN GI KO BU

Buddha of the Light of Joy

CHI E KO BU

Buddha of the Light of Wisdom

FU DAN KO BU

Buddha of Uninterrupted Light

NAN JI KO BU

Buddha of Inconceivable Light

MU SHO KO BU

Buddha of Inexpressible Light

CHO NICHI GAK KO BU

Buddha of the Light Outshining the Sun and Moon[8]

(repeat three times)

 

doshi: NA MO A MI DA BU

I take refuge in/Homage to Amida Buddha

doon: NA MO A MI DA BU, NA MO A MI DA BU, NA MO A MI DA BU, NA MO A MI DA BU, NA MO A MI DA BU, NA MO A MI DA BU, NA MO A MI DA BU …………[9]

 

doshi: GA-N NI SHI KU DO KU[10]

May the merits of the [Primal] Vow [of Amida]

doon: BYO – U DO – U SE IS – SA – I

be received equally by all beings

DO – U HO – TSU BO DA – I SHI – N

May all develop bodhicitta[11],

O – U JO – U A – A – A – A – N RAK – KOKU

And may they be born in the Land of Peace and Bliss

                                                             ●   ●  ● 

  


Juseige - Hymns of the Repetition of the Vows


Juseige – Hymns of Repetitions of the Vows, is a fragment from the Larger Sutra and represents the words said by Dharmakara Bodhisattva, the future Amida Buddha, after proclaiming His 48 Vows. In the lines following the verses of Junirai it is said, “As soon as Bhikṣu Dharmakara spoke those verses, the entire earth quaked in six ways and a rain of wonderful flowers fell from heaven, scattering everywhere. Spontaneous music was heard and a voice in the sky said, ‘Surely you will attain highest, perfect Enlightenment.’”The translation of Juseige is from The Three Pure Land Sutras - A Study and Translation from Chinese by Hisao Inagaki in collaboration with Harold Stewart, Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai and Numata Centre for Buddhist Translation and Research, Kyoto, 2003


●●

doshi (the Leader):                                  

GA GON CHO SE GAN

I have made vows, unrivaled in all the world;

 

doon (together): 

HIS-SHI MU JO DO

I shall certainly reach the unsurpassed Way.

SHI GAN FU MAN ZOK[U]

If these vows should not be fulfilled,

SEI FU JO SHO GAK[U]

May I not attain perfect Enlightenment.

 

GA O MU RYO KO

If I should not become a great benefactor

FU I DAI SE SHU

In lives to come for immeasurable kalpas

FU SAI SHO BIN GU

To save the poor and the afflicted everywhere,

SEI FU JO SHO GAK[U]

May I not attain perfect Enlightenment.

 

GA SHI JO BUTSU DO

When I attain Buddhahood,

MYO SHO CHO JIP-PO

My Name will be heard throughout the ten directions;

KU KYO Ml SHO MON

Should there be any place where it is not heard,

SEI FU JO SHO GAK[U]

May I not attain perfect Enlightenment.

 

Rl YOKU JIN SHO NEN

Free of greed and with profound mindfulness

JO E SHU BON GYO

And pure wisdom, I will perform the sacred practices;

SHI GU MU JO DO

I will seek to attain the unsurpassed Way

I SHO TEN NIN SHI

And become the teacher of devas and humans.

 

JIN RIKI EN DAI KO

With my divine power I will display great light,

FU SHO MU SAI DO

Illuminating the worlds without limit,

SHO JO SAN KU MYO

And dispel the darkness of the three defilements;

KO SAI SHU YAKU NAN

Thus I will deliver all beings from misery.

 

KAI HI CHI E GEN

Having obtained the eye of wisdom,

MES-SHI KON MO AN

I will remove the darkness of ignorance;

HEI SOKU SHO AKU DO

I will block all evil paths

TSU DATSU ZEN SHU MON

And open the gate to the good realms.

 

KO SO JO MAN ZOK[U]

When merits and virtues are perfected,

I YO RO JIP-PO

My majestic light will radiate in the ten directions,

NICHI GATSU SHU JU KI

Outshining the sun and moon

TEN KO ON PU GEN

And surpassing the brilliance of the heavens.

 

I SHU KAI HO ZO

I will open the Dharma storehouse for the multitudes

KO SE KU DOKU HO

And endow them all with treasures of merit.

JO O DAI SHU JU

Being always among the multitudes,

SEP-PO SHI SHI KU

I will proclaim the Dharma with the lion’s roar.

 

KU YO IS-SAI BU[TSU]

I will make offerings to all the Buddhas,

GU SOKU SHU TOKU HON

Thereby acquiring roots of virtue.

GAN E SHITSU JO MAN

When my vows are fulfilled and wisdom perfected,

TOKU I SAN GAI O

I shall be the sovereign of the three worlds.

 

 NYO BUTSU MU GE CHI

Like your unhindered wisdom, O Buddha,

TSU DATSU Ml FU SHO

Mine shall reach everywhere, illuminating all;

GAN GA KU E RIKI

May my supreme wisdom

TO SHI SAI SHO SON

Be like yours, Most Honored One.

 

SHI GAN NYAK-KO KA

If these vows are to be fulfilled,

DAI SEN O KAN DO

Let this universe of a thousand million worlds quake in response

KO KU SHO TEN NIN

And let all the devas in heaven

TO U CHIN MYO KE

Rain down rare and marvelous flowers.

                                  ●

 

doshi: NA MO A MI DA BU

I take refuge in/Homage to Amida Buddha

doon: NA MO A MI DA BU, NA MO A MI DA BU, NA MO A MI DA BU,NA MO A MI DA BU, NA MO A MI DA BU, NA MO A MI DA BU, NA MO A MI DA BU …………

 

doshi: GA-N NI SHI KU DO KU

May the merits of the [Primal] Vow [of Amida]

doon: BYO – U DO – U SE IS – SA – I

be received equally by all beings

DO – U HO – TSU BO DA – I SHI – N

May all develop bodhicitta,

O – U JO – U A – A – A – A – N RAK – KOKU

And may they be born in the Land of Peace and Bliss

                                                            ●   ●  ● 

 

 Sambutsuge - Hymns in Praise of the Buddha 

(sorry, this was not our best recitation and there were a few mistakes)


Sambutsuge – Hymns in Praise of the Buddha is a fragment from the Larger Sutra in which Dharmakara Bodhisattva, the future Amida Buddha, admires His Master, Lokesvararaja Buddha and promises that He will become a Savior of all beings.   

●●

doshi:                                   doon:

KO GEN GI GI                    I JIN MU GOKU

NYO ZE EN MYO              MU YO TO SHA

 

Your radiant countenance is majestic;

And your dignity is boundless.

Radiant splendor such as yours has no equal.

 

NICHI GATSU MA NI       SHU KO EN NYO

KAI SHITSU ON PEI         YU NYAKU JU MOKU

 

Even the blazing light of

The Sun, moon and mani-jewels

Is completely hidden and obscured,

And looks like a mass of black inksticks.

 

NYO RAI YO GEN            CHO SE MU RIN 

SHO GAKU DAI ON         KO RU JIP-PO

 

The countenance of the Tathagata

Is unequaled in the world;

The great voice of the Perfectly Enlightened One

Resounds throughout the ten quarters

 

KAI MON SHO JIN          SAM-MAI CHI E

I TOKU MU RYO             SHU SHO KE U

 

Your observance of precepts, learning, diligence,

Meditation, and wisdom –

The magnificence of these virtues is peerless,

Excellent and unsurpassed.

 

JIN TAI ZEN NEN            SHO BUTSU HO KAI

GU JIN JIN NO                 KU GO GAI TAI

 

Deeply and clearly mindful

Of the ocean of the Dharma of all Buddhas,

You know its depth and breadth,

And reach its farthest end.

 

MU MYO YOKU NU      SE SON YO MU

NIN NO SHI SHI             JIN TOKU MU RYO

 

Ignorance, greed and anger

Are completely absent in the World Honored One,

You are a lion, the most courageous of all humans,

Having immeasurable majestic virtues.

 

KU KUN KO DAI            CHI E JIN MYO

KO MYO I SO                  SHIN DO DAI SEN

 

Your meritorious accomplishment is vast,

And your wisdom is deep and supreme;

The majestic glory of your light

Shakes the great thousand worlds.

 

GAN GA SA BUTSU         SAI SHO HO O

KA DO SHO JI                  MI FU GE DATSU

 

I vow to become a Buddha,  

Equal to you, the most honored King of the Dharma,

And to bring sentient beings from birth-and-death

To the final attainment of emancipation.

 

FU SE JO I                            KAI NIN SHO JIN

NYO ZE SAM-MAI             CHI E I JO

 

My practice of giving, self-discipline,

Observance of precepts, forbearance, diligence,

And also mediation and wisdom

Shall be unsurpassed.

 

GO SEI TOKU BUTSU        FU GYO SHI GAN 

IS-SAI KU KU                       I SA DAI AN

 

I resolve that, when I become a Buddha,

I will fulfill this vow in every possible way,

And to all beings who live in fear,

I will give great peace.

 

KE SHI U BUTSU         HYAKU SEN NOKU MAN                 

MU RYO DAI SHO       SHU NYO GO JA

 

Even though there are Buddhas

As many as a thousand million kotis,

Or countless great sages

As many as the sands of the Ganges,

 

 KU YO IS-SAI                      SHI TO SHO BUTSU

FU NYO GU DO                   KEN SHO FU KYAKU

 

I will make offerings

To all these Buddhas,

Nothing surpasses my determination

To seek the Way steadfastly and untiringly.

 

HI NYO GO JA                    SHO BUTSU SE KAI

BU FU KA KE                      MU SHU SETSU DO

 

Even though there are Buddha-worlds

As many as the sands of the Ganges,

And also innumerable lands

Beyond calculation,

 

KO MYO SHIS-SHO           HEN SHI SHO KOKU

NYO ZE SHO JIN                I JIN NAN RYO

 

My light shall illumine

All of these lands.

I will make such efforts

 That my divine power may be boundless

 

RYO GA SA BUTSU            KOKU DO DAI ICHI

GO SHU KI MYO                 DO JO CHO ZETSU

 

When I become a Buddha,

My land shall be the most exquisite;

People ther shall be unrivaled and excellent

Any my seat of Enlightenment shall be beyond compare.

 

 KOKU NYO NAI ON           NI MU TO SO

GA TO AI MIN                     DO DATSU IS-SAI

 

My land shall be like Nirvana.

Being supreme and unequaled.

Out of compassion and pity,

I will bring all to emancipation.

 

JIP-PO RAI SHO                   SHIN-NETSU SHO JO

I TO GA KOKU                     KE RAKU AN-NON

 

Those who come from the ten quarters,

Shall rejoice with pure hearts;

Once they reach my Land,

They shall dwell in peace and happiness.

 

KO BUTSU SHIN MYO        ZE GA SHIN SHO

HOTSU GAN NO HI              RIKI SHO SHO YOKU

 

May you, the Buddha,

be my witness

And attest to the truthfulness of my resolution.

I have thus made my aspiration;

I will endeavor to fulfill it.

 

JIP-PO SE SON                      CHI E MU GE

JO RYO SHI SON                  CHI GA SHIN GYO

 

The World-honored Ones in the ten quarters

Have unimpeded wisdom;

May these honored ones

Always know my intentions.

KE RYO SHIN SHI                SHO KU DOKU CHU

GA GYO SHO JIN                 NIN JU FU KE

 

Even if I should be subjected to

All kinds of suffering and torment,

Continuing my practice undeterred,

I would endure it and never have any regrets.

        

doshi: NA MO A MI DA BU

I take refuge in/Homage to Amida Buddha

doon: NA MO A MI DA BU, NA MO A MI DA BU, NA MO A MI DA BU, NA MO A MI DA BU, NA MO A MI DA BU, NA MO A MI DA BU, NA MO A MI DA BU …………

 

doshi: GA-N NI SHI KU DO KU

May the merits of the [Primal] Vow [of Amida]

doon: BYO – U DO – U SE IS – SA – I

be received equally by all beings

DO – U HO – TSU BO DA – I SHI – N

May all develop bodhicitta,

O – U JO – U A – A – A – A – N RAK – KOKU

And may they be born in the Land of Peace and Bliss

                                                           ●    ●    ●   

 

 




[1] Sambujo – the Three Invitations are addressed to Amida, Shakyamuni and all Buddhas in the ten directions. The place of practice (dojo) where we invite these Honored guests, can be a temple, one’s own house or any place where people meet to say Nembutsu and listen to Amida Dharma.

[2]When saying SAN GE RAKU, the priest and participants may scatter petals of roses or any flower in the direction of the altar or they can make the mudra of offering flowers. 

[3]Sankie – The Three Refuges (in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha).

[4] KI MYO JIN JI PO MU GE KO NYO RAI: The Name of Amida Buddha with ten characters.

[5] NA MO FU KA SHI GI KO NYO RAI:The Name of Amida Buddha with nine characters.

[6] NA MO A MI DA BU: The Name of Amida Buddha with six characters. You can prolong the recitation of this Name as much as you like.

[7]You can strike the bell from time to time, during the six-character Name recitation, to change the rhythm (slower-faster-slower, etc.) or simply to keep everyone alert.

[8] Recitation of the Twelve Lights of Amida Buddha as they appear in the Larger Sutra:

The Buddha of Infinite Life(Amida) is called by the following names: the Buddha of Infinite (Immeasurable) Light, the Buddha of Boundless Light, the Buddha of Unhindered Light, the Buddha of Incomparable ( Unequalled) Light, the Buddha of Light that is Lord of Blazing Light, the Buddha of Pure Light, the Buddha of the Light of Joy, the Buddha of the Light of Wisdom, the Buddha of Uninterrupted Light, the Buddha of  Inconceivable Light, the Buddha of Inexpressible Light, and the Buddha of  Light Surpassing the Sun and Moon”.

[9] If you decide to make a longer Nembutsu service, you can now recite again the Twelve Lights of Amida and then continue with more recitations of the six character Name (Namo Amida Bu). You can repeat the Ten Lights recitations followed by Namo Amida Bu as many times as you like.

[10]This part is called Eko or merit transference. In the practices based on personal power the practitioner “earns” virtues which he transfers for his own Enlightenment. But in the case of Other Power (Pure Land) way, the transference of merits takes place from Amida Buddha to those who entrust to Him. This transference of merit (eko) carries the follower to the Pure Land where he attains Nirvana or perfect Enlightenment. Shinran Shonin says in a hymn:

“When sentient beings of this evil world
of the five defilements
Entrust themselves to the selected Primal Vow,
Virtues indescribable, inexplicable, and inconceivable
Fill those practitioners."

The merit transference from Amida to the practitioner has two aspects: 1) the merit transference of going forth (Oso-Eko) and2) the merit transference of returning to this world (Genso-Eko).

The first refers to the fact that through Amida's transference of merit we go to His Pure Land where we become Buddhas, while the second one means that after we become Buddhas in the Pure Land by sharing the same Enlightenment as Amida, we return to the various samsaric realms and universes, to save all beings.

[11]Bodhicita or Bodhi Mind is the aspiration to attain Budhahood for oneself and all beings. This is fulfilled in the Awakening of Faith (shinjin) in the Primal Vow of Amida Buddha. Master Shan-tao said: “Awake your Bodhi Mind to Amida’s Compassion”, that is, aspire to your and other beings Liberation by relying on the Compasion of Amida (His Primal Vow).So, the Awakening of the Bodhi Mind, the obligatory condition in Mahayana for attaining the supreme Enlightenment, appears in Jodo Shinshu in the form of the entrusting heart (shinjin). Shinran Shonin said, “The mind aspiring to become Buddha
Is the mind seeking to save sentient beings;
The mind that seeks to save sentient beings
Is True Faith endowed by Amida’s Compassion.”

(Hymns on the Patriachs, 18)


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