御伝鈔 英訳 (鈴木大拙)
上巻第三段
When we think of the purport of this vision as described in the Record, we notice herein symbolised an auspicious opening for the establishment of the True Sect and the propagation of its doctrine of salvation. Thus says the Shōnin later on: "Boddhism was founded first in the West, and that we have its sacred books in this country now is altogether due to the auspicious virtue of Prince Jyōgū, which was higher than a mountain and deeper than the ocean. It was during the reign of the Emperor Kimmei of our Imperial house that Buddhist literature was brought here over the sea, and with it came those Sūtras and Śāstras on which the doctrine of the Pure Land Sect is based; if in those days the Imperial Heir were not disposed to spread his benevolence far and wide, how could the poor and ignorant become acquainted with the Buddha's vows for universal salvation? As Boddhisattva Avalokiteśvara is the original abode of Imperial Heir, Jyōgū, he revealed in himself his august original abode in order to make known his vows, that is, to incarnate himself in a human form and thereby to advance the cause of buddhism.
"And again, if my Great Teacher, the Venerable Genkū, were not sent away into a remote province by the authorities, how should I ever live a life of banishment? And if I did not live a life of banishment, how could I hope to have the opportunity to convert the people living far away from the centre of culture? This too must be ascribed to the virtue of my Venerable Teacher.
"My Great Teacher, the Venerable Genkū, was no other personage than an incarnation of Boddhisattva Mahāsthāmaprāpta, while Shōtoku, the Imperial Heir, was an earthly manifestation of Avalokiteśvara. It devolves upon me under the guidance of these two Bodhisattvas now to proclaim far and wide the Original Vow of the Tathāgata, through which it is that the True Sect has arisen and the doctrine of Nembutsu (recitation of the Buddha's name) is gaining ground. This, however, is all due to the instructions of the holy ones altogether independent of the achievements of my humble self. The weighty vows as offered by these two august beings are to recite the name of the One Buddha with singleness of heart. The followers of Buddhism these days ought not to go astray and pay their reverence to those two personages who stand by the Buddha; let them adore the One only." Thus, the reason why the Shōnin Shinran pays his respect to the Imperial Heir along with the Buddha himself is that he is grateful for his greatest deed of benevolence which made it possible for Buddhism to spread all over this land.
(Daisestu, Suzuki. Collected Writings on Shin Buddhism. Shinshū Ōtani-ha : pp.170-171)
【語句】
・an auspicious opening for the establishment of the True Sect...真宗繁昌の奇瑞
・the propagation of its doctrine of salvation...念仏弘興
・auspicious virtue...広徳
・the reign of the Emperor Kimmei of our Imperial house...わが朝欽明天皇の御宇
・become acquainted...あふこと得ん、精通するようになる
・original abode...本地
・august ...威厳のある、堂々たる
・he revealed in himself his august original abode...本地の尊容をしめすところなり
・incarnate...人の姿をした、具体化した
・to incarnate himself in a human form...垂迹
・to advance the cause of buddhism...興法
・This too must be ascribed to the virtue of my Venerable Teacher...これなほ師教の恩致なり。
・incarnation...化身
・earthly manifestation...垂迹
・It devolves upon me under the guidance of these two Bodhisattvas...われ二菩薩の引導に順じて
・proclaim...(如来の本願を)ひろめる
『築地本願寺の隣にあるお寺 法重寺』
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