initial commit of ebook 7015HEADmain

1 files changed, 2512 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/7015.txt b/7015.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..57e69f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/7015.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,2512 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Buddhist Psalms, by Shinran Shonin
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Buddhist Psalms
+
+Author: Shinran Shonin
+
+Translator: S. Yamabe
+            L. Adams Beck
+
+Posting Date: September 20, 2012 [EBook #7015]
+Release Date: December, 2004
+First Posted: February 23, 2003
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BUDDHIST PSALMS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Starner and the Online Distributed Proofreader's Team.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+WISDOM OF THE EAST
+
+BUDDHIST PSALMS
+
+TRANSLATED FROM THE JAPANESE
+
+OF
+
+SHINRAN SHONIN
+
+BY S. YAMABE AND L. ADAMS BECK
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+LAUDING THE INFINITE ONE
+
+OF PARADISE
+
+CONCERNING THE GREAT SUTRA
+
+CONCERNING THE SUTRA OF THE MEDITATION
+
+CONCERNING THE LESSER SUTRA
+
+OF THE MANY SUTRAS CONCERNING THE INFINITE ONE
+
+CONCERNING THE WELFARE OF THE PRESENT WORLD
+
+OF THANKSGIVING FOR NAGARJUNA, THE GREAT TEACHER OF INDIA
+
+OF THANKSGIVING FOR VASUBANDH, THE GREAT TEACHER OF INDIA
+
+OF THANKSGIVING FOR DONRAN, THE GREAT TEACHER OF CHINA
+
+CONCERNING UNRIGHTEOUS DEEDS
+
+CONCERNING DOSHAKU-ZENJI
+
+CONCERNING ZENDO-DAISHI
+
+CONCERNING GENSHIN-SOZU
+
+CONCERNING HONEN SHONIN
+
+OF THE THREE PERIODS
+
+CONCERNING BELIEF AND DOUBT
+
+IN PRAISE OF PRINCE SHOTOKU
+
+WHEREIN WITH LAMENTATION I MAKE MY CONFESSION
+
+ADDITIONAL PSALMS
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+BY L. ADAMS BECK
+
+It is a singular fact that though many of the earlier Buddhist
+Scriptures have been translated by competent scholars, comparatively
+little attention has been paid to later Buddhist devotional
+writings, and this although the developments of Buddhism in China
+and Japan give them the deepest interest as reflecting the spiritual
+mind of those two great countries. They cannot, however, be
+understood without some knowledge of the faith which passed so
+entirely into their life that in its growth it lost some of its own
+infant traits and took on others, rooted, no doubt, in the
+beginnings in India, but expanded and changed as the features of the
+child may be forgotten in the face of the man and yet perpetuate the
+unbroken succession of heredity. It is especially true that Japan
+cannot be understood without some knowledge of the Buddhism of the
+Greater Vehicle (as the developed form is called), for it was the
+influence that moulded her youth as a nation, that shaped her
+aspirations, and was the inspiration of her art, not only in the
+written word, but in every art and higher handicraftsmanship that
+makes her what she is. Whatever centuries may pass or the future
+hold in store for her, Japan can never lose the stamp of Buddhism in
+her outer or her spiritual life.
+
+The world knows little as yet of the soul of Mahayana Buddhism,
+though much of its outer observance, and for this reason a crucial
+injustice has been done in regarding it merely as a degraded form of
+the earlier Buddhism--a rank off-shoot of the teachings of the
+Gautama Buddha, a system of idolatry and priestly power from which
+the austere purity of the earlier faith has passed away.
+
+The truth is that Buddhism, like Christianity, in every country
+where it has sowed its seed and reaped its harvest, developed along
+the lines indicated by the mind of that people. The Buddhism of
+Japan differs from that of Tibet as profoundly as the Christianity
+of Abyssinia from that of Scotland--yet both have conserved the
+essential principle.
+
+Buddhism was not a dead abstraction, but a living faith, and it
+therefore grew and changed with the growth of the mind of man,
+enlarging its perception of truth. As in the other great faiths, the
+ascent of the Mount of Vision reveals worlds undreamed, and
+proclaims what may seem to be new truths, but are only new aspects
+of the Eternal. Japanese Buddhists still base their belief on the
+utterances of the Buddhas, but they have enlarged their conception
+of the truths so taught, and they hold that the new flower and fruit
+spring from the roots that were planted in dim ages before the
+Gautama Buddha taught in India, and have since rushed hundred-armed
+to the sun. Such is the religious history of mankind, and Buddhism
+obeys its sequence.
+
+The development of Mahayana Buddhism from the teaching of the
+Gautama Buddha has been often compared with that of the Christian
+faith from the Jewish, but it may be better compared with the growth
+of a sacerdotal system from the simplicities of the Gospel of
+St. Mark. That the development should have been on the same lines in
+all essential matters of symbol and (in the most important respects)
+of doctrine, modified only by Eastern habits of thought and
+environment, is a miracle of coincidence which cannot be paralleled
+in the world unless it be granted that Christianity filtering along
+the great trade routes of an earlier world joined hands with
+Buddhism in many unsuspected ways and places. Evidence is
+accumulating that this is so, and in a measure at present almost
+incredible. And if it be so--if it be true that in spite of racial
+distinctions, differences of thought and circumstance, the religious
+thought of East and West has so many and so great meeting-points,
+the hope of the world in things spiritual may lie in the recognition
+of that fact and in a future union now shadowed forth only in symbol
+and in a great hope. This, however, is no essay on Buddhism, either
+earlier or later, and what I have said is necessary to the
+introduction of these Jodo-Wasan, or Psalms of the Pure Land, which
+are a part not only of the literature, but also of the daily worship
+and spiritual life of Japan. Their history may be briefly told.
+
+Buddhism passed into Japan from China and Korea about 1320 years
+ago, in or about the year A.D. 552. It adapted itself with perfect
+comprehension to the ideals of the Japanese people, inculcating
+among them the teachings of morality common to the great faiths
+with, in addition, the spiritual unction, the passion of love and
+sympathy, self-devotion, and compassion, in which Buddhism and
+Christianity are alike pre-eminent. The negative side of Buddhism,
+with its passionless calm and self-renunciation, is the only one
+that has been realised in the West, and the teachings of Mahayana
+which have borne fruit and flower, visible to all the world, of
+happiness, courtesy, kindliness in the spiritual attitude of a whole
+people, have never received the honour which was their due.
+
+For with the Buddhist faith there came the germ of the belief that
+the Gautama Buddha in his own grandeur bore witness to One
+Greater--the Amitabha or Amida Buddha--that One who in boundless
+light abideth, life of the Universe, without colour, without form,
+the Lover of man, his Protector and Refuge. He may, He must be
+worshipped, for in Him are all the essential attributes of Deity,
+and He, the Saviour of mankind, has prepared a pure land of peace
+for his servants, beyond the storms of life and death. This belief
+eventually crystallised and became a dogma in the faith of the Pure
+Land, known in Japan as Jodo Shinshu, a faith held by the majority
+of the Japanese people. It is a Belief which has spread also in
+Eastern Siberia, many parts of China, Hawaii, and, in fact,
+whereever the Japanese race has spread. And the man who stated this
+belief for all time was Shinran Shonin, author of the Psalms here
+presented.
+
+He was born in the year A.D. 1175 near City-Royal--Kyoto, the
+ancient capital of Japan. He was a son of one of the noblest
+families, in close connection with the Imperial House, and had it
+not been for the passion for truth and the life of the spirit which
+consumed him, his history would have been that of the many other
+brilliant young men who sank into mere courtiers--"Dwellers above
+the Clouds," as the royalties and courtiers of the day were called
+among the people. But the clear air above the clouds in which his
+spirit spread its wings was not that of City-Royal, and the Way
+opened before him as it has opened before many a saint of the
+Christian Church, for while still a child he lost both his parents,
+and so, meditating on the impermanence of mortal life, and seeing
+how the fashion of this world passes away, he abandoned his title
+and became a monk in one of the noble monasteries whose successors
+still stand glorious among the pine woods above Lake Biwa.
+
+These were not only monasteries, but seats of learning, as in Europe
+in the Middle Ages, and here the Doctrines were subjected to
+brilliant analysis and logical subtleties which had almost
+superseded the living faith. In that cold atmosphere the spirit of
+Shiran Shonin could not spread its wings, though for twenty years he
+gave his thoughts to its empty glitter. Therefore, at the age of
+twenty-nine he cast it all behind him, and in deep humility cast
+himself at the feet of the great Teacher Honen, who, in the shades
+of Higashiyama, was setting forth the saving power of the Eternal
+One who abideth in the Light and in whom is no darkness--the Buddha
+of Boundless Light. And in this place and from this man Shinran
+received enlightenment.
+
+Life now lay before him as a problem. Unlike as the two men are in
+character and methods, his position resembled that of Martin Luther
+on quitting the Church of Rome. For the Buddhist monastic rule
+requires its members to be homeless, celibate, vegetarian, and here,
+like Luther, Shinran joined issue with them. To his mind the
+attainment of man lay in the harmonious development of body and
+spirit, and in the fulfilment, not the negation of the ordinary
+human duties. Accordingly, in his thirty-first year, after deep
+consideration, he married the daughter of Prince Kujo Kanezane,
+Chief Minister of the Emperor and head of one of the greatest houses
+in Japan, and in that happy union he tasted four years of simple
+domestic joy, during which a son was born to him. Then the storm
+broke.
+
+Trouble was stirred up by the orthodox Buddhist Church with evil
+reports which reached the ears of the Emperor, and Shinran was sent
+into banishment in the lonely and primitive province of Echigo--a
+terrible alternative for a man of noble birth and refined
+culture. He took it, however, with perfect serenity as a mission to
+those untaught and neglected people, and into their darkness he
+brought the light of the Father of Lights, and the people flocked to
+the warmth and wonder of the new hope, and heard him gladly. The
+story is told by a contemporary, whom I have thus rendered:
+
+"In the spring of the third year of the era of Kennin, the age of
+Shinran Shonin was twenty-nine. Driven by the desire for seclusion,
+he departed to the monastery of Yoshimizu. For as his day was so
+remote from the era of the Lord Buddha, and the endurance of man in
+the practice of religious austerity was now weakened, he would fain
+seek the one broad, straight way that is now made plain before us,
+leaving behind him the more devious and difficult roads in which he
+had a long time wandered. For so it was that Honen Shonin, the great
+teacher of the Doctrine of the Land of Pure Light, had taught him
+plainly of the inmost heart of the Faith, raising up in him the firm
+foundation of that teaching. Therefore he certainly received at that
+time the true meaning of the Divine Promise of universal salvation,
+and attained unto the imperishable faith by which alone the ignorant
+can enter into Nirvana without condition or price.
+
+"From the province of Echigo Shinran passed onward to that of
+Hitachi, and entered into seclusion at Inada, that little village of
+the region of Kasama. Very lonely was his dwelling, yet many
+disciples sought after him, and though the humble door of the
+monastery was closed against them, many nobles and lesser persons
+thronged into the village. So his hope of spreading abroad the Holy
+Teaching was fulfilled and his desire to bring joy to the people was
+satisfied. Thus he declared that the revelation vouchsafed to him in
+the Temple of Rokkaku by the Bodhisattwa of Pity was indeed made
+manifest."
+
+It is that revelation which speaks in these Psalms--the love,
+aspiration, passion for righteousness and humility which are the
+heart of all the great religious utterances of the world.
+
+"Alas for me, Shinran, the ignorant exile who sinks into the deeps
+of the great ocean of human affections, who toils to climb the high
+mountains of worldly prosperity, and is neither glad to be with them
+who return no more to illusion, nor takes delight in approaching
+more nearly to true enlightenment. O the pity of it! O the shame of
+it!"
+
+This cry alternates with the joy of perfect aspiration, and it is
+that which keeps these psalms in warm human touch with the
+spirituality that is neither of race nor time, but for eternity.
+
+He was sixty-two years of age when he returned from exile to
+City-Royal, and though he made it his centre, it was his home no
+more. He wandered from place to place, teaching as he went, after
+the manner of the Buddhas. At the age of ninety his strength
+suddenly failed, and the next day he passed away in perfect peace.
+
+Such were the outward events of his life; his own writings must give
+the history of his soul. His teachings to-day are spread far and
+wide in the land of his birth, and are an inspiration to millions
+within and without its shores. In him was the harmonised spirit of
+Buddhism at its highest. Those who can enter into the heart of
+Shinran Shonin will have gained understanding of the heart of a
+mighty people which is said to be impossible of Western reading, and
+yet in its essentials is simple as the heart of a child.
+
+                                  L. ADAMS BECK.
+
+
+
+EDITORIAL NOTE
+
+The object of the Editors of this series is a very definite
+one. They desire above all things that, in their humble way, these
+books shall be the ambassadors of good-will and understanding
+between East and West--the old world of Thought and the new of
+Action. In this endeavour, and in their own sphere, they are but
+followers of the highest example in the land. They are confident
+that a deeper knowledge of the great ideals and lofty philosophy of
+Oriental thought may help to a revival of that true spirit of
+Charity which neither despises nor fears the nations of another
+creed and colour.
+
+                                 L. CRANMER-BYNG.  S. A. KAPADIA.
+
+NORTHBROOK SOCIETY, 21 CROMWELL ROAD, KENSINGTON, S.W.
+
+
+
+BUDDHIST PSALMS
+
+
+LAUDING THE INFINITE ONE
+
+1. Since He who is Infinite attained unto the Wisdom Supreme, the
+long, long ages of ten Kalpas have rolled away.
+
+The Light of His Dharma-Kaya is in this world eyes to the blind.
+
+2. Seek refuge in the True Illumination! For the light of His Wisdom
+is infinite.
+
+In all the worlds there is nothing upon which His light shines not.
+
+3. Take refuge in the Light universal.
+
+As the Light of His deliverance is boundless, he who is within it is
+freed from the lie of affirmation or denial.
+
+4. Seek refuge in That which is beyond understanding,
+
+For His glory is all-embracing as the air. It shineth and pierceth
+all things, and there is nothing hid from the light thereof.
+
+5. Take refuge in the ultimate Strength, for His pure radiance is
+above all things. He who perceiveth this Light is set free from the
+fetters of Karma.
+
+6. Seek refuge in the World-Honoured.
+
+Since His glorious radiance is above all He is called the Buddha of
+Divine Light. And by Him is the darkness of the three worlds
+Enlightened.
+
+7. Excellent is the Light of His Wisdom. Therefore is he called the
+Buddha of Clear Shining.
+
+He who is within the Light, being washed from the soil of Karma,
+shall attain unto the final deliverance.
+
+8. Take refuge in the Mighty Consoler. Wheresoever His mercy shineth
+throughout all the worlds, men rejoice in its gladdening light.
+
+9. The darkness of ignorance perisheth before His light. Therefore
+is He hailed as the Buddha of Radiant Wisdom. All the Buddhas and
+the threefold choir of sages praise Him.
+
+10. His glory shineth for ever and ever. Therefore is He called the
+Buddha of Everlasting Light.
+
+Most excellent is the virtue of this light, for he who perceiveth it
+is born into Paradise without dissolution of being.
+
+11. The glory of the Infinite is boundless, therefore is He known as
+the Buddha of Light Past Comprehension.
+
+All the Buddhas glorify the majesty of His holiness that leadeth all
+the earth into His Kingdom.
+
+12. His clear shining transcendeth all revelation, nor can human
+speech utter it. Therefore is He named the Buddha of Light
+Unspeakable.
+
+All the Buddhas glorify the glory of the Infinite One who is Buddha
+through His promise of Light immeasurable.
+
+13. Take refuge in Him who is Holiest of Holy. Sun and moon are
+lost in the ocean of His splendour. Therefore is He named that
+Infinite in whose radiance Sun and Moon are darkened. Before whose
+Divine Power even that Buddha made flesh in India himself faltereth
+in ascribing praise to the Majesty of His true glory.
+
+14. Far beyond human numbering are the wise in the high assemblage
+of the Infinite One. Therefore let him who would be born into the
+Land of Purity seek refuge in the Great Congregation.
+
+15. In Paradise are the Mighty unnumbered, Bodhisattvas ranked in
+that hierarchy nearest to the Perfect Enlightenment. Thence are they
+made flesh upon earth according to the way of salvation that all
+having life might be saved.
+
+16. Take refuge in the ocean-deep Soul Universal.
+
+For the sake of all dwelling in the Ten Regions hath He kept the
+fullness of all the Teachings, in His divine and mighty promises.
+
+17. He who is Infinite never resteth, for together with the
+Bodhisattvas of Compassion and Pure Reason He laboureth, that the
+souls of them that duly receive Him may have salvation, enlightening
+them with the light of His mercy.
+
+18. When he who is born into the land of Pure Peace returneth again
+into this sinful world, even like unto that Buddha made flesh in
+India, he wearieth not in seeking the welfare of all men.
+
+19. Seek refuge in the World-Honoured, for His Divine Power is
+Almighty and beyond man's measure, being made perfect in
+inconceivable Holiness.
+
+20. The Sravakas, the Bodhisattvas, the Heavenly Beings and Souls in
+Paradise, they in whom wisdom is made equal unto beauty, declare
+their attributes in order, according to their former birth.
+
+21. Seek refuge in Him in whom all strengths are equal.
+
+Nought is there to compare with the excellent beauty of the Souls in
+Paradise, for their being is infinite as space, and far are they
+above celestials and mortal man.
+
+22. Whoso would be born into Paradise shall in this life be made one
+with those men that return no more unto birth and death.
+
+In that Pure Land is none who hath stood among doubting men, and
+none also who hath trusted in his own deeds for Salvation. To this
+do all the Buddhas witness.
+
+23. If all having life in the Ten Regions hear this Holiest Name of
+Him that is Infinite, and attain unto the true faith, they shall
+obtain joy and gladness.
+
+24. For when a man with joy accepteth the sacred vow of Him that is
+infinite who saith, "I will not attain unto perfect Enlightenment
+unless in Me shall all the world be made whole," at that very time
+he shall assuredly be born into Paradise.
+
+25. Seek refuge in the Almighty Spirit.
+
+By the divine might of His promise, by the Infinite One was Paradise
+created; yea, and the Souls of men that dwell therein. And there is
+nought that may compare with them.
+
+26. Seek refuge in the unutterable Wisdom.
+
+Of His Land of Peace the half cannot be told. Even the word of the
+Buddha himself could not utter it.
+
+27. Myriads of happy souls were born, are born and shall be born
+into that Land of Purity, not from this world alone, but from the
+hidden worlds also, and the Ten Regions.
+
+28. So soon as man heareth the holy name of the Infinite One and
+with great gladness praiseth him, he shall attain to the reward of
+the holy Treasury of Merit.
+
+29. Go forward, O Valiant Souls, seeking the Law though all the
+worlds fall into flame and ruin, for ye shall have passed beyond
+birth and death!
+
+30. The innumerable Buddhas praise the triumphant divinity of the
+Bringer of Light. To Him do gather the myriad Bodhisattvas,
+unnumbered as the Sands of Ganges in worship from the Eastern world.
+
+31. As from the East, so gather also to the Infinite One the
+Bodhisattvas from the Nine Regions of the worlds.
+
+With Sacred Psalms the Gautama Buddha himself laudeth the boundless
+glory of the Infinite One.
+
+32. Seek refuge in the World-Honoured.
+
+To Him do the myriad Buddhas of the ten Regions bring homage with
+songs and praises, that they may sow the seeds of merit.
+
+33. Bring homage to the Hall of Great Teaching and to the living Bo
+tree that is in Paradise! Yet this land, glorious with the Holy
+Tree, radiant with the Hall of Great Teaching that shineth with the
+Seven Jewels, where innumerable souls hastening from all the ends of
+the Earth shall be born, is but the temporal Paradise.
+
+34. In awful reverence seek refuge in the purity of Him that
+welcometh. For by His Divine Promise was this glorious land, great
+beyond human measurement, made to be.
+
+35. Seek refuge in the wisdom inconceivable. For the perfection of
+His Virtue--that Virtue availing for all the world, and the perfect
+way by which He willeth that man shall take refuge in Him, are past
+all human speech or thought.
+
+36. Take refuge in the wisdom that is most truly infinite. For He is
+faithful, having promised in His Divine Might, and on his perfect
+clear promise that cannot be shaken is the merciful way of salvation
+builded.
+
+
+OF PARADISE
+
+37. Seek refuge in the heavenly harmony.
+
+For the jewel groves and gem trees of Paradise give forth a sweet
+and most excellent melody in pure and ordered unison.
+
+38. Seek refuge in the Divine Promise, the Treasury of Merit,
+
+For the seven jewel trees are fragrant in Paradise where the
+flowers, the fruits, the branches and the leaves thereof
+
+Cast back their radiance the one to the other.
+
+39. Bring homage to the perfect Righteousness.
+
+As the pure wind blows over the trees glorious with jewels,
+
+It draweth from them a noble music with five-fold strains of
+harmony.
+
+40. In all the world is no place hidden from the glory shed by
+hundreds of myriad rays from the heart of every flower of Paradise.
+
+41. Like unto a golden mountain reflecting the myriad rays of these
+heavenly blossoms, so is the form of the Infinite One.
+
+42. From His Sacred Body, as from a well-spring, floweth this light
+over the Ten Regions of the world.
+
+By His Sacred teaching He leadeth all having life into the way of
+light.
+
+43. Seek refuge in the Treasury of Righteousness.
+
+For in Paradise is that holy lake, with its waters of eightfold
+Virtue, all-glorious with the seven jewels. And all this is the
+inconceivable handiwork of Purity.
+
+44. Seek refuge in the All-Honoured.
+
+For when sorrow and sighing are fled away, the Holy Land shall
+rejoice with joy and singing. Therefore is it called Paradise.
+
+45. The Buddhas of the Three Ages and the Ten Regions, they in whom
+the Dual Wisdom is perfect and their illumination entire, lead all
+the worlds marvellously into the way of Salvation, the Truth being
+their Vehicle.
+
+46. He that seeketh refuge in the Kingdom of the Infinite One is a
+citizen of the Kingdom of every Buddha.
+
+Let him that is set free, with single heart give praises unto One
+Buddha, for in so doing he praiseth all.
+
+47. The faithful believer at that moment when he rejoiceth in the
+sound of the name of the Infinite One hath revealed unto his very
+eyes the Buddha of Light.
+
+48. Let him that hath faith praise the Virtue of the Divine Wisdom.
+
+Let him strive to declare it unto all men that he may offer his
+thankfulness for the grace of the Buddha.
+
+
+CONCERNING THE GREAT SUTRA
+
+49. The Venerable Ananda, rising from his seat, and looking upwards
+to the World-Honoured Gautama Buddha, his eyes being opened,
+marvelled greatly, seeing the glory of his Lord so transfigured.
+
+50. The Venerable Ananda asked the Cause of that glory, for the
+Lord, shining in the Light that was hitherto unseen of the world,
+taught openly, for the first time, that Truth for which He came into
+the world.
+
+51. In the meditation of the Great Calm the Buddha whose countenance
+is glorious, commendeth the most excellent wisdom of Ananda for that
+he asked the way of knowledge, desiring to be instructed.
+
+52. That Buddha that was made flesh in India was in this world
+manifested that he might preach the Divine Promise of Him who is
+Infinite.
+
+Hard is it to see the hidden blossom of the myriad-century-blooming
+Lotus, so hard also is it for a man's understanding to receive the
+message of that Blessed One.
+
+53. Ten Kalpas of Ages have rolled away since He who is Infinite
+attained unto the Wisdom, yet before the myriads of the Kalpas He
+_was_.
+
+54. He who is of the Light Ineffable, Holiest Refuge of men,
+ordaining that His saving grace should be made manifest, duly
+considered all the worlds of the Ten Regions, under the guidance of
+the holy Buddha of Loka-is-Vara-Raja.
+
+55. Purity, Rejoicing, Wisdom, these three are the Supernal Essence
+of the light of the Infinite One that enlighteneth all things,
+communicating good to all the worlds of the Ten Regions.
+
+56. Teaching all that have life in the Ten Regions, that they might,
+with sincerity, faith, and hope, be born again into Paradise, He set
+forth that promise infinite and divine--the true seed of birth
+within the Kingdom of Truth.
+
+57. Whoso attaineth unto the True Faith is in unity with them that
+return no more to birth and death, for having thus attained, they
+pass onward into Nirvana, their lives being ended.
+
+58. In His great compassion the Blessed One accomplished His
+infinite wisdom in His divine promise, ordaining that womanhood
+shall be raised into manhood.
+
+59. Instructing all that have life in the Ten Regions how they
+should through sincerity, effort, and hope be born into the Temporal
+Paradise, He faithfully promiseth to manifest Himself unto the eyes
+of the dying, opening wide the gate of all righteousness before
+them.
+
+60. By the divine promise to the dying of His consoling presence our
+Lord instructeth men that they shall make to grow all righteousness
+revealed in the Sutra of Meditation upon the Buddha of Infinite
+Life.
+
+61. All righteous deeds done of men in true obedience to the holy
+Doctrine of Sincerity and right-doing, are but the seed of merit
+that shall be born within the Temporal Paradise.
+
+62. Instructing All that have life in the Ten Regions how that they
+may through sincerity, merit, and hope be born into the Temporal
+Paradise, He promiseth that no man shall lose salvation, for He hath
+opened the Gate of Truth.
+
+63. By the Divine Promise of the final salvation hath our Lord
+instructed the men of the Single Vehicle to recite His Holy Name
+that is the Essence of all the merit revealed in the Lesser Sutra of
+the Buddha of Infinite Life.
+
+64. He that reciteth the Holy name by his own effort and in the mind
+of meditation or of dispersing, being led by the virtue of the
+divine promise of final salvation, turneth naturally in at the Gate
+of Truth.
+
+65. He that holds not the True Faith, even though he desire to be
+born into the Pure Paradise of Joy, must go unto his own place, and
+it shall be in the border of the Outermost Places, for this is the
+fruit of doubting the mystery of the Supreme Wisdom.
+
+66. That a man should be a Buddha, made manifest in this world, is a
+rare thing and difficult. So difficult is it also to hear the
+excellent doctrine of all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. In all the
+myriads of Kalpas such a way comes seldom.
+
+67. Difficult is it for men to find a wise Teacher; so is it also
+for them to be instructed and to hear the Holy Law. More difficult
+still is it to receive the True Faith.
+
+68. More difficult is it for men to receive the Divine Promise made
+unto men than to receive all other teachings.
+
+The Lord Buddha teacheth that this is of all hard things most
+difficult and yet again more difficult.
+
+69. The true Doctrine teacheth men that they may become Buddhas in
+reciting the Holy Name, and so therefore is it that all other faiths
+and moralities are but transitory doorways unto the Truth. Man
+comprehendeth not that Pure Land of Peace unless he holdeth fast the
+true Doctrine, casting aside that which is transitory.
+
+70. Seek refuge in the Sole Vehicle of merciful promise. For the
+transitory teachings have let and hindered men in the Way of
+Enlightenment so that they must needs pass through the long
+weariness of births and deaths.
+
+
+CONCERNING THE SUTRA OF THE MEDITATION
+
+71. That Lord that was made flesh in India, the Lord of great pity,
+showing unto Vaidehi, Queen of Magadha, the golden mirror created by
+his marvellous power, commanded her to choose the Land of Pure Joy
+among all the worlds therein appearing.
+
+72. Binbisara, he who commanded that an ascetic should be slain
+before his pre-ordained time was come, by his own son was imprisoned
+in a seven-walled prison as the due recompense of his violence.
+
+73. Ajata-Satru, prince and heir of Magadha, denouncing his mother
+as a traitor, with drawn sword ran furiously upon her.
+
+74. Then said Jivaka the minister and another with him: "This act is
+worthy only of an outcast. For the fame of our race unworthy art
+thou to dwell in the Palace." And earnestly did they counsel him to
+change his evil purpose.
+
+75. Laying his hand on his sword-hilt, Jivaka, the minister, drew
+backwards a few steps, steadfastly regarding the prince, that he
+might avert this great sin. And so it was that the prince laid down
+his sword, and secluded his mother in a palace.
+
+76. Certain is it that Ananda with Vaidehi, Devadatta and yet
+others, bearing their part in this great sorrow of the royal palace
+of Magadha, must needs so suffer that they might know the infinite
+pity of the Blessed One, that Lord who in this world made manifest
+the true teaching.
+
+77. And all these wise ones having so received instruction revealed
+unto us, who are of all evil-doers worst, the true way, the refuge
+of His divine promise that absolveth all the sins of men.
+
+78. For when the full time was come that by the will of our Lord and
+of Vaidehi the teaching of the Pure Land should be made known here
+on Earth, Ajata-Satru, her son, sinned this sin, Varshakara his
+minister bearing testimony against it.
+
+79. It is needful that the heart of a man be opened unto the Faith
+universal which He who is Blessed hath shown us, forsaking the
+belief that his own works shall save him, for in every man the power
+to perform righteous deeds is differing.
+
+
+CONCERNING THE LESSER SUTRA
+
+80. The Eternal Father is called the Buddha of Infinite Light,
+because very mightily He holdeth in safety all beings dwelling in
+the Ten Regions of the world who, by His merciful enlightenment,
+recite His Holy Name.
+
+81. The myriad Buddhas, unnumbered as the sands of Ganges, counsel
+all having life to trust in the Supernal Virtue of the Holy Name,
+declaring that weighed against this even righteous deeds are the
+lesser good.
+
+82. The innumerable Buddhas, countless as the sands of Ganges, are a
+testimony and a shield to all that have life in this sorrowful and
+sinful world, declaring unto them that teaching most high and
+difficult of acceptance, which is the true faith.
+
+83. Whoso attaineth unto a Soul clear and enduring as diamond shall
+testify unto his thankfulness for the limitless grace of the Blessed
+One, for even the testimony and the safeguarding that he hath of all
+the Buddhas proceed only from the fulfilment of His most merciful
+promise.
+
+84. The innumerable Buddhas, countless as the sands of Ganges, guide
+into a sure trust in the Holy Name those sinful creatures and
+evil-hearted that wander in the darkness of this wicked world
+bearing the five signs of degeneration upon it.
+
+
+OF THE MANY SUTRAS CONCERNING THE INFINITE ONE
+
+85. Having great pity, our Eternal Father lighteneth the dark night
+of ignorance, manifesting Himself in that Land of Joy as the Buddha
+of Infinite Light which enlighteneth all the worlds with its
+immeasurable glory.
+
+86. That Lord most compassionate, the Buddha of immeasurable Light,
+He who had attained unto the Supreme Wisdom even before the myriads
+of Kalpas were, pitying them that know not, made himself manifest in
+the Palace of Kapila as the Lord Sakya-muni.
+
+87. If a man had the duration of all the myriad Kalpas, had he
+innumerable tongues and each of these tongues innumerable voices,
+yet should he vainly essay the praises of that Blessed One.
+
+88. The Lord instructeth us that the way into Paradise is straight
+and easy. Therefore whoso receiveth not this Truth is, in verity,
+called a man that hath not eyes to see nor ears to hear.
+
+89. The One true freedom is the Highest, and the Absolute is perfect
+freedom. And when we attain unto that freedom, for us shall desire
+and doubt vanish away.
+
+90. When every man is beloved of us, even as the son of our own
+body, there is the Universal Mind made perfect in us. And this shall
+be in Paradise.
+
+91. He who is in all things supreme, is Himself Nirvana, and Nirvana
+is that true light that abideth in the Land that is to come, but
+this world cannot know it.
+
+92. Our Lord instructeth us that he who rejoiceth in his faith is,
+in so doing, in unity with the Highest. For true faith is the seed
+of light, and the seed of true light is in itself the potentiality
+of that which is Deity.
+
+93. Whoso trusteth not in the Supreme Wisdom of the Enlightened One,
+clinging unto his own purblind knowledge, must suffer by fire for
+long Kalpas of ages.
+
+
+CONCERNING THE WELFARE OF THE PRESENT WORLD
+
+94. He that hath unending pity, the Buddha of Infinite Life, hath
+given unto us in the Sutra of Golden Light a teaching concerning
+long life, that the way of long life and the welfare of the people
+might be made known unto them.
+
+95. Dengyo-Daishi, he who taught the Tendai-shu in the mount of
+Hiye, hath compassionately instructed us that we should recite
+Namuamida-butsu, that Holiest Name, as a sure shield against the
+seven sorts of calamities.
+
+96. Whoso reciteth the Holy Name, that is higher than all other
+virtues, shall be set free from the fetters of the past, the
+present, and the future.
+
+97. To him that reciteth the Holy Name shall be good unending even
+in this world, for the sin of his former births is vanquished and
+his youth set free from death.
+
+98. To him that reciteth the Holy Name, shall Brahma and Chakra the
+great king bring homage, and about him shall heavenly beings and
+benignant deities keep watch throughout the days and nights.
+
+99. That man that reciteth the Holy Name shall the four mighty
+Regents in Heaven guard through the days and nights against the
+disturbance of all evil spirits.
+
+100. To him that reciteth the Holy Name shall the Deity of the Earth
+bring homage, watching over him throughout the day and night, as the
+shadow follows its substance.
+
+101. To him who reciteth the Holy Name, Nanda and Upananda the Naga
+Kings, together with their attendant deities shall bring homage,
+watching over him throughout the day and night.
+
+102. To him who reciteth the Holy Name, the King of Death, together
+with his ministers in the five worlds, shall do reverence, guarding
+him throughout the days and nights.
+
+103. Mara, the Tempter, he who is Ruler of that heaven, where
+pleasures are collected, hath sworn unto the Lord to shield him from
+temptation who reciteth the Holy Name.
+
+104. All good deities in Earth and Heaven shall be gracious unto him
+who reciteth the Holy Name, shielding him throughout the days and
+nights.
+
+105. All evil spirits in heaven and earth tremble before that
+believer who standeth upon the Immutable promise. For even in this
+world hath he the mind of Divine Illumination.
+
+106. Kwannon and Seishi, the Bodhisattvas of incarnate Pity and
+Wisdom, together with their companions, innumerable as the sands of
+Ganges, shall be beside him who reciteth the Holy Name, even as the
+shadow cleaves to the substance.
+
+107. Within the Light of Buddha of Infinite Light are unnumbered
+Buddhas, and of these, each and every one shall shield him who hath
+within him the true Faith.
+
+108. Whoso reciteth the Holy Name shall be surrounded himself by
+those Buddhas who cannot be numbered, who in the Ten Regions with
+joy protect and guide him.
+
+Upon the Sutra of Suraigama-Samadhi, I, Shinran Shonin, have uttered
+these eight lauds praising the virtue of Seishi the Bodhisattva of
+Wisdom.
+
+109. Seishi, he who is the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, having
+comprehended the fullness of the Holiest Name, rising from his seat,
+prostrated himself beneath the feet of our Lord, worshipping Him, he
+and his fellowship, and thus he spake:
+
+110. "O my Lord, in the ancient time, before the Kalpas innumerable
+as the sands of Ganges, there was manifest in this world a Buddha,
+and His Name was called--The Buddha of Infinite Light.
+
+111. "In His footsteps twelve Buddhas followed, and twelve long
+Kalpas have rolled away. And of these Buddhas the last was He that
+is called that Buddha in whose glory the Sun and Moon are even as
+darkness.
+
+112. "Unto me hath that Buddha revealed the Path of the meditation
+of the Supreme--that meditation wherein He instructeth us that all
+the Buddhas of all the Ten Regions compassionate as even as a father
+pitieth his child.
+
+113. Whoso seeketh refuge in Buddha, as a child in the bosom of his
+mother shall verily perceive Him now or in the time that shall be.
+And it shall be soon.
+
+114. "As a man encompassed by the cloud of incense casteth sweet
+odours about him, so he that trusteth in the Holy Promise is
+spiritually endued with the Divine Essence.
+
+115. "When I was initiate in right doing, I attained unto the high
+way of that assurance that freed me from birth and death, through
+the teaching of the Noble Doctrine of the Holy Name.
+
+"Therefore in this world, rejoicing, I guide the faithful believer
+into the way of Purity."
+
+116. Now with all praise let us give thanks unto the merciful
+goodness of the Bodhisattva of Wisdom.
+
+
+OF THANKSGIVING FOR NAGARJUNA, THE GREAT TEACHER OF INDIA
+
+117. Nagarjuna, the great teacher, setting forth in many excellent
+writings the praise of the Kingdom of Purity, hath instructed us to
+recite the Holy Name.
+
+118. For the Lord Buddha declared in prophecy that in India, in the
+Southern Parts, should arise a great Teacher, trampling upon the
+false teachings of affirmation and denial.
+
+119. Nagarjuna, the Great Teacher, he who mightily set forth the
+noble doctrine of the greater Vehicle, and himself attained unto
+that height whereon a man rejoiceth eternally in the Faith, hath
+very sweetly persuaded men that they should receive the teaching of
+the Holy Name.
+
+120. Nagarjuna, that great priest, setting forth the two ways--the
+way that is straight and plain, and the way of high austerity,
+leadeth very gently to the Ark of the Divine Promise such as are
+driven through the weariness of births and deaths.
+
+121. He who receiveth this teaching of Nagarjuna the Great Teacher,
+should recite always the Holy Name, believing the Divine Promise of
+the Buddha of Infinite Light.
+
+122. Whoso would quickly attain unto that resting-place where
+illusion ceaseth, should recite the Holy Name holding his mind in
+steadfast piety.
+
+123. One Ark only, that Ark of the Divine Promise of our merciful
+Father, doth voyage and bear us unto the shore of the eternal
+peace--even us who so long have drifted hither and thither in the
+ocean of birth and death.
+
+124. This great priest hath in one utterance set forth that the Lord
+is Ruler indeed of the sacred teaching, and that herein are the holy
+Bodhisattvas His ministers. Therefore should we bring homage unto
+our Lord.
+
+125. The mighty company of the Bodhisattvas utter these words, "When
+we became wise in holiness, yea, we who have striven through Kalpas
+unnumbered,
+
+126. "Yet could we not root out our earthly desires which are the
+very seed of birth and death. But through that only way of the
+meditation of the Highest did we attain unto the final deliverance
+that hath destroyed all our sin."
+
+
+OF THANKSGIVING FOR VASUBANDH, THE GREAT TEACHER OF INDIA
+
+127. Among those doctrines taught of our Lord Vasubandh, the great
+priest hath persuaded us who are full of sinful desires to accept
+the Divine Promise of our infinite Father.
+
+128. Only to Him who is above all things is known the glory of the
+Land of Peace. Wide as the sky and boundless is it spread forth.
+
+129. Whoso believeth in the power of the Divine Promise shall verily
+be at one with the holy Essence, even as the turbid stream is clear
+and pure within the ocean depth when they have flowed together.
+
+130. When the assemblage of the believers in the holy faith is born
+within that Land of Purity that hath sprung from the lotus of the
+true enlightenment, soon shall their heart's desire be fulfilled in
+them.
+
+131. The heavenly spirits and those souls freed from illusion, they
+who are born in the land of purity from the wisdom deep as the ocean
+of the Divine Promise, differ not the one from the other in their
+powers. Pure are they as the air is pure.
+
+132. Vasubandh, that exalted master of excelling works, who himself
+hath found refuge in the Buddha of Infinite Light, hath declared
+that whoso is borne in the Vehicle of the Divine Promise shall
+without doubt attain unto the Promised Land.
+
+133. Whoso taketh refuge in the Buddha of Infinite Light, that light
+that shineth unto all the worlds of the Ten Regions, shall be
+called, according to the teaching of that master of excelling works,
+a man whose heart is great, and to him shall the True Light be
+shown.
+
+134. He whose heart is great and who shall attain unto the true
+enlightenment is he also that desireth the salvation of all living,
+and verily the true faith given of that Blessed One is salvation.
+
+135. The single heart perceiveth the true faith, and so doing is
+strong and clear as the diamond, and this strength is the wisdom of
+the supreme that strengthened us.
+
+136. When we shall attain, unto the Promised Land, which is that
+Nirvana past all understanding, there shall we labour abundantly for
+the salvation of all living things. For so the Sutra teaches us in
+these words: "A heart that inclineth to the succour of others."
+
+
+OF THANKSGIVING FOR DONRAN, THE GREAT TEACHER OF CHINA
+
+137. Donran, that great teacher of China, being instructed of
+Bodhi-ruci, the priest of India, sought refuge in the Land of
+Purity, and thus doing he burned with fire the books of the Taoist
+teaching which he had aforetime held in honour.
+
+138. Having thus cast from him the writings that he had so many
+years diligently studied, he preached unto all men the doctrine of
+the Divine Promise, and, so teaching, he led men that are fast bound
+in the fetters of illusion, in at the Gate of the Great Peace.
+
+139. A mighty King of this world brought homage unto him in his
+monastery and put unto him this question, saying: "If so it is that
+the Land of Purity should be in all the Ten Regions, how then is it
+declared unto us in the Sutra that it is in the Western Heaven?"
+
+140. And with humble piety he replied:
+
+"Of this matter can I not tell thee. It is too high for me. Still am
+I in the lower rank of wisdom, even still small is my knowledge. I
+cannot fathom this great mystery."
+
+141. All men in the priesthood or the people who know not the rock
+of their trust, did Donran the Great Priest guide unto the sure
+refuge of the doctrine of the Land of Bliss.
+
+142. He abode in the Temple of the Great Rock, being favourably
+bidden thereto by the King of the Gi Dynasty, and in the evening of
+his days he travelled into the district of Dun.
+
+143. And this King of the Gi Dynasty reverently offered unto him the
+holy title of Shinran (Ran of Divinity) and the honourable name of
+"Rock of the Venerable Ran"--that his dwelling-place should be
+called by it.
+
+144. Great and mighty upon the people was his spiritual power in the
+temple of Genchu and in the fourth year of Kokwa of the Gi Dynasty
+the Temple of Yosen became his beloved dwelling.
+
+145. And when he had reached sixty-seven years, he sought his final
+refuge in the Eternal Kingdom. And at that departing were vouchsafed
+many holy marvels unto which all men, both of the priests and
+people, came and did reverence.
+
+146. And when Donran the Great High Priest had departed into the
+Peace, the King of the Gi Dynasty by a royal order commanded there
+should be built for him a holy monument in the lands of Dun.
+
+147. What man could know the unsearchable mystery of the faith and
+deeds of the Divine Promise were it not for that most excelling
+commentary of Donran the wise Priest, which he wrote concerning the
+teaching of Vasubandh that had lived aforetime.
+
+148. He who believeth that the Sole Vehicle of the Divine Promise,
+most perfect, most mighty, receiveth within itself the Greatest of
+Sinners, and this because it is its chief will so to do, will
+receive the depth of this essential teaching--namely, that before
+the eyes of the Instructed, illusion and wisdom are in their Essence
+One.
+
+149. Among the Five Mysteries that are preached in this Sutra, the
+mystery of the Divine Power of the Enlightened One is highest, and
+this is the holy vow of our Blessed One, this and this only.
+
+150. Unto us hath our Father given those two spiritual gifts. Of
+these the first is the Virtue whereby we attain unto His Kingdom,
+and the second is the Virtue whereby having so attained we return
+into this world for the Salvation of men. By the merit of these two
+gifts are we initiates of the true faith and of its deeds.
+
+151. When we shall have attained unto the faith and the deeds of the
+Merciful Promise through our Father that is in all things able to
+give them unto us, birth and death are henceforward as Nirvana. And
+this is called the Gift of Departure.
+
+152. And when we shall have attained unto that height which is
+desire for the ingathering of all beings into Paradise, shall we
+return again into this world that we may be Saviours of Men. And
+this is called the Gift of Returning.
+
+153. That "Single Mind" expounded unto us by Vasubandh, the Master
+of Writings that excel, is nothing other than the faith of us that
+are now fast bound in illusion. So teacheth Donran the Great Teacher
+in his Commentary.
+
+154. The Buddha of that inexpressible Light that shineth into the
+worlds of the Ten Regions, being for ever enlightened in the night
+of ignorance, hath most certainly opened the way of Nirvana to every
+man who even for one moment rejoiceth in receiving His Divine
+Promise.
+
+155. By the merit of His Infinite Light, when we attain unto that
+faith divine and omnipotent, the ice of illusion shall melt into the
+water of perfect wisdom.
+
+156. Sin is made one with virtue in its essence, even as ice is one
+with water. The more there is ice, so much the more water is
+there. So also is the binding up of sin with virtue.
+
+157. In the unbounded ocean of the Holy Name is not seen even one
+single death of a blasphemer. For the myriad streams of sin are on
+purity with the ocean of righteousness when they have flowed into
+the impurity thereof.
+
+158. When the streams of illusion have flowed into the Great Sea of
+the Merciful Promise of the Enlightened One, whose light shineth
+into all the worlds of the Ten Religions, then shall they too become
+the pure water of the Perfect Wisdom.
+
+159. No other way is there of attaining unto the Perfect
+Enlightenment save only by birth into the Land of Gladness, and
+therefore have all the Enlightened Ones exhorted men that they
+should receive the Doctrine of the Kingdom Purity.
+
+160. The Great Priest hath well taught us that in order to cleanse
+our deeds, words, and thoughts of deceitfulness, our Father hath
+performed the three of His pure and universal.
+
+161. There is no way unto the Kingdom of Gladness save only by
+attaining unto the true faith through that Holy Name, the very Jewel
+of Wonder.
+
+162. When the new birth through the clearness of the Divine Promise
+is attained in the Eternal Kingdom, it is not like unto the birth of
+this world; then is there no inferiority even in those that in this
+world were sinners, for they have entered into Paradise.
+
+163. The Holy Name of the Buddha of that Boundless Light that
+shineth into all the worlds of the Ten Regions, and the glory of His
+Wisdom, destroy the darkness of ignorance in the Eternal Night, thus
+fulfilling all the desires of men.
+
+
+CONCERNING UNRIGHTEOUS DEEDS
+
+164. These three things are expounded unto us by Donran
+Daishi. First, that faith is not holiness, for faith is not
+abiding. At one time it abideth, at another it is gone.
+
+165. And second: This faith is not Single Minded, for it hath not
+resolution.
+
+And third: It continueth not, for the other thoughts of the heart
+divide it against itself.
+
+166. The three ways of this faith lead the one to the other one. On
+this must the believer fix his eyes. If his faith is not in
+holiness, then hath he not the faith of resolution.
+
+167. And having not the faith that is resolute, that faith cannot
+endure, and because it endureth not, how can he attain unto the
+faith of determination? And attaining not unto the faith of
+determination, the faith is not sanctified in him.
+
+168. For the attainment of Right Practice expounded by the Master of
+the Written Word is according unto the true faith and this alone.
+
+169. If a man return into the Great Way of the Divine Promise,
+eschewing the narrow ways of deeds and works, in him shall the true
+light of Nirvana be made manifest.
+
+170. The mighty king So, he of the Ryo line, worshipped the Great
+Teacher Donran Daishi, naming him the Bodhisattva of Ran, turning
+his face in worship unto the dwelling-place of his Teacher.
+
+
+CONCERNING DOSHAKU-ZENJI
+
+171. Having cast away from him all trust in the righteous deeds of
+the sages, Doshaku-Zenji, the Great Teacher, hath taught us to enter
+in at the only gate that is the Gospel of the Pure Land.
+
+172. Having thus cast away from him the laborious study of the
+Doctrine of Nirvana, Doshaku, the Great Teacher, himself trusted
+only in the power of the Divine Promise, and he persuaded men to
+follow after him.
+
+173. In this world of sin that is so far removed from the blessed
+day of our Lord, is there no man who attaineth unto the wisdom
+Supreme, yea, not though he should compass all righteous doing. So
+teacheth our Lord of Great Teaching.
+
+174. He who succeeded unto the teaching of Donran-Daishi,
+Doshaku-zenji, the Great Priest, thus declareth: "To toil and labour
+after righteous deeds in this life is the unavailing toil of
+self-effort."
+
+175. In this world, the doing of evil and the sin that is wrought of
+men is violent and furious as the storm wind and rain. Therefore
+have the compassionate Buddhas exhorted men to seek their refuge
+within the Land of Purity.
+
+176. From him that sinneth, throughout his life shall the fetters of
+illusion fall away, if he shall recite the Holy Name with love and
+adoration.
+
+177. That he might lead men into the Eternal Kingdom--those men who
+are in this life fast bound unto the evil thing, our Father teacheth
+us, saying, "Recite my name," and hath promised further, "Doing
+this, if they be not born again, I myself will not attain unto
+Wisdom."
+
+
+CONCERNING ZENDO-DAISHI
+
+178. Rising like unto an incarnation of the Mighty Ocean, Zendo, the
+great teacher, came into the world.
+
+And for the sake of mankind in this sinful place, he called unto all
+the Buddhas of the Ten Regions to be his testimony unto his
+commentary on the Sutra.
+
+179. Two interpreters of Zendo-Daishi were there in the age that
+followed his own, and these were Hosho and Shoko. They, it is, who
+have opened the Treasury of teaching that the inward purpose of the
+Blessed One should be wholly made known.
+
+180. How should women turn their hearts unto wisdom--they who are
+fast bound with the five fetters? No, not through the ages of
+myriads of Kalpas, until they seek refuge in the Divine Promise of
+Him who is mighty.
+
+181. Having thrown open the Gate of Righteousness, our Lord hath
+instructed mankind in every sort of righteous deed. He hath set
+before us how the five right deeds differ from the confused deeds
+that are outside the Five, so that mankind may enter the way of the
+Sole Practice.
+
+182. To mingle the right action with the action that is not akin to
+it is called the confused practice. The man that erreth therein
+hath not attained unto the single heart. He knoweth not thankfulness
+for the grace of the Enlightened One.
+
+183. If he entreat in prayer the good things of this world, even
+though he recite only the Blessed Name, he is condemned therein,
+being also a man of the confused practice. He shall not be born into
+the Land of Purity.
+
+184. Not one, indeed, but not far asunder are the confused deed and
+the confused practice. The teachings that are not the teachings of
+the Land of Purity are to be condemned as confused deeds.
+
+185. Having invoked the testimony of all the Buddhas, Zendo-Daishi
+hath set before us the story of the two rivers, the one, the river
+of fire, the other the river of water, that he might incline the
+heart to righteous deeds, and guard the true faith of the Divine
+Promise.
+
+186. Verily a simple man may attain unto the true Illumination, if
+he believe the Holy Promise that is the spirit of the teaching of
+Shinshu. Because for this only was the Lord made manifest in this
+world, and not according to those other teachings which shall pass
+away and be no more.
+
+187. Before the Almighty Power of the Divine teaching do all the
+fetters of evil deeds fall away. Therefore is the Divine Promise of
+our Father invoked as that Holy Thing which giveth unto us
+omnipotent strength.
+
+188. Yet, to whomsoever would enter the Promised Land, created in
+the power of His Divine Vow, is belief in his own strength impotent.
+
+And because they are needless, therefore the wise who have received
+the Great and Lesser Vehicles must trust unto the promise of the
+Almighty One.
+
+189. Whoso hath known himself the slave of illusion shall yet,
+relying on the Power of the Holy Promise, enter into the immortal
+joy of the Truth, and all his earthly body shall fall from him.
+
+190. Merciful and compassionate parents unto us are the Blessed One
+and the Lord Buddha. For they have opened before us the ways of
+good, having so purposed that the great Faith shall be.
+
+191. He who is one with the True Soul hath attained unto a heart
+clear and hard as diamond. Therefore is he at one with that man who
+hath the three excellent forms of Penitence. This hath the Great
+Teacher shown us.
+
+192. By that faith alone, like unto a jewel of price, we who in this
+sinful world have our being, may enter into the Eternal Kingdom,
+being eternally freed from the yoke of birth and death.
+
+193. At that moment when faith in the Enlightened One is perfected,
+pure and lasting as the diamond, then shall the Spiritual Light
+shine upon us and guard us, the light which for ever guideth us from
+rebirth and death.
+
+194. Whoso attaineth not unto the True Faith hath not in him one of
+the Trinity of Virtues, that are Sincerity, Faith, and Hope, and the
+man that hath not one of these three holdeth not the perfect faith.
+
+195. Whoso attaineth unto the True Faith given of Him is freed from
+all let and hindrance, for his heart is at one with the Divine
+Promise, and he is obedient unto the true teaching that is the Very
+Word of the Buddha.
+
+196. Whoso hath comprehended the truth of the Holy Name is at that
+very moment freed from doubt. He hath possessed the Right thought,
+and he is commended as excellent and rare in his attainment.
+
+197. He shall be let and hindered that is not at one with the Divine
+Promise, and therefore he whose faith is not full of Peace is a man
+who holdeth not the Divine Thought.
+
+198. The attainment of the Divine Wisdom shall come unto him who
+reciteth the Holy Name, for his faith cometh from the Divine Promise
+of Him that leadeth him into the Promised Land. He shall not fail
+to attain unto the Great Nirvana.
+
+199. At this time when the five Signs of Degeneration are manifest,
+many men are there who doubt and blaspheme the Holy Doctrine. Yea,
+even the Priests, together with the people, are enemies unto him who
+walketh in the right way.
+
+200. He who blasphemeth the Divine Promise is a man born blind. He
+shall sink into three evil worlds for age-long myriads of Kalpas.
+
+201. Though the way into the Land that is in the West hath been made
+plain before us, yet the age-long Kalpas have rolled away without
+good fruit thereof, for we have hindered ourselves and our brethren
+that we might not enter therein.
+
+202. Without the Almighty Strength of the Divine Promise how should
+we leave this sinful world? Wherefore we should live in hearty
+thanksgiving for the Grace of our Father, thinking ever upon the
+ocean deeps of his love.
+
+203. For it is by the marvellous mercy of our Lord that we may cast
+aside the anguish of birth and death, in the shining hope of our
+Eternal Kingdom.
+
+Therefore should we return unto the Lord righteous deeds in
+thanksgiving for His grace and mercy.
+
+
+CONCERNING GENSHIN-SOZU
+
+204. Genshin the Great Teacher declareth: "In this world have I,
+even I, appeared as an incarnation of the Buddha, and now, my work
+of Salvation being accomplished, I return unto the Eternal Kingdom
+that is my home.
+
+205. From the teaching of our Lord hath Genshin, the Great Teacher,
+tenderly opened unto us the gate of the Doctrine of the Holy Name,
+and hath so taught mankind in this evil world that is far removed
+from the Golden Day of our Lord.
+
+206. Genshin-Sozu, he who sat in the Assemblage on the Peak of
+Vultures in the time of our Lord, hath taught us that there are two
+Paradises, that which is eternal and that which is temporal, and
+thus setteth forth the merit and the defect of the Right Practice
+and of the Mingled Deed.
+
+207. Acharya Genshin, the Great Teacher, considering one of the
+Sutra with the commentary of Ekanzenji, hath made plain the
+attributes of the Land of Outermost Places.
+
+208. For he said: "Not one man is there of thousands who may not be
+born into the Land of Purity." And thus saying, he commendeth the
+followers of the Right Practice.
+
+And again:
+
+"There is not even one among tens of thousands who may enter it."
+And so saying, he condemneth the doers of the mingled deed.
+
+209. Further he setteth forth how few are the men who can enter into
+the True Land of Purity. And very solemnly he warneth us that more
+are they that are born into the Temporal Paradise.
+
+210. Wheresoever men or women, be they noble or lowly born, recite
+the Holy Name of our Father, there is no pre-eminence of place or
+time. Freely may they do this, whether walking, resting, sitting,
+or lying.
+
+211. Though our eyes are so blinded by illusion that we discern not
+the light whereby He embraceth us, yet that great mercy for ever
+shineth upon us and is not weary.
+
+212. Whatsoever may be his Visible Deed that would be born into the
+Promised Land, he shall not forget day or night to hold fast unto
+the name of the Divine Promise.
+
+213. To us that in this world are sinners most sinful, there is none
+other way of Salvation save that we should enter into the Land of
+Purity, by reciting the holy name of Him who is our Father.
+
+
+
+CONCERNING HONEN SHONIN
+
+214. Since the day when Honen Shonin appeared in the world, and set
+forth the single Ark of the Divine Promise, hath the Doctrine of the
+Pure Land gloriously shone upon the hearts of all men in the land of
+Nihon.
+
+215. For from the strength of the wisdom of light, Honen, the Great
+Teacher, came into the world and hath taught the chosen doctrine of
+the Divine Promise, and he hath built Jodo-Shinshu upon the rock.
+
+216. Though Zendo and Genshin, those great teachers, have well
+instructed us, yet had Honen Shonin kept silence, wherewith should
+we know the holy teaching of Shin-Shu, we who dwell in remote
+country and in an evil day?
+
+217. Throughout the long, long Kalpas of my lives that are overpast
+could I never find the way of Deliverance, and if Honen Shonin, the
+Great Teacher, had not arisen in this world, vainly had I spent the
+precious hours of my life.
+
+218. When his years were but fifteen, Honen Shonin entered into the
+Way of Illumination, for in departing from worldly life he fulfilled
+his heart's desire, and by him was clearly understanded the doctrine
+of the transience of life.
+
+219. The excellent righteousness of Honen Shonin, his deeds and the
+wisdom that was in him, drew unto him for refuge many even of chief
+priests of the heretics that seek Nirvana through the way of the
+sages. Yea, they sought him even as their appointed teacher, radiant
+and stray of soul as the diamond.
+
+220. Even while Honen Shonin yet walked in this world, there issued
+from his body rays of a golden shining, and this, so it is said,
+hath Kanezane Fujiwara beheld with his own eyes.
+
+221. The people passed it from mouth to mouth that this Honen Shonin
+was the living incarnation of Doshaku Zenji, or yet again of Zendo
+Daishi.
+
+222. Before the eyes of men Honen Shonin stood as the Boddhisattva
+of Wisdom, or, yet more, as the Blessed One again made flesh.
+
+The Emperor and all his ministers did homage unto him, yea, and the
+men of the chief city and of the far countries.
+
+223. He who had been Emperor, in the time of Jokyu, brought homage
+to Honen Shonin. All the priests and scholars of the word of
+Confucius had understanding of the doctrine of Shin Shu.
+
+224. A chosen vessel of the Blessed One that men might be saved,
+Honen Shonin was manifested in the world, and he opened wide the
+gate of perfect wisdom, having instructed mankind in the Holy Faith.
+
+225. Of all rare things it is the rarest that we should ourselves
+meet with the True Teacher, yet verily the chain of doubt in the
+Divine Mercy is the true cause of unending birth and death.
+
+226. Honen Shonin issued forth from the mysterious Light and his
+disciples beheld it. In his eyes was there nought of disparity
+between the wise and them that know not, between the noble and the
+lowly born.
+
+227. And now, his time being at hand, Honen Shonin spake:
+
+"Thrice have I taken birth in the Land of Purity, and of these three
+times the last hath given unto me the fullness of peace."
+
+228. Once did Honen Shonin speak, saying: "In the glorious day of
+our Lord was I among the holy Assemblage on the Peak of Vultures,
+and my Spirit was rapt in self-instruction and in the doctrine of
+salvation."
+
+229. Having taken birth in that small and remote island, Honen
+Shonin spread abroad the doctrine of the Holy Name for the sake of
+all men's salvation. And thus had he done not only then, but many
+times in ages gone by.
+
+230. That Buddha, whose light is infinite, was made flesh in this
+world as Honen Shonin, and when his merciful work was accomplished,
+he returned into the Land of Purity.
+
+231. When his life was drawing to a close, light was manifested
+about him as a cloud of glory, yea, and music of the heavenly
+places, sweet and excelling in harmony, and sweet odours scattered
+about him.
+
+232. Following steadfastly after the ensample of the Nirvana of the
+Lord, he laid himself upon his right side, his head inclined unto
+the north, his face turned unto the west. And the crowding people
+attended upon him, even the priests and men and women of the nobles
+and of the lowly born.
+
+233. Now the time when Honen Shonin departed from this life was the
+twenty-fifth day of the young spring. In the second year of
+Kenriyaku he returned in peace unto the Land of the Father.
+
+On the ninth day of February and the second of Ko-Yen, the
+revelation that here followeth was sent unto me in a dream of
+morning.
+
+234. It is necessary that men should believe the divine promise of
+Him who is Infinite.
+
+Whoso believeth shall attain unto Perfect Wisdom, by the virtue of
+that Light which embraceth him and shall never forsake him.
+
+
+OF THE THREE PERIODS
+
+235. Two thousand years and yet more are departed since the day when
+our Lord entered into Nirvana. Ended are the two glorious
+periods--the orthodox and the representative. Lament, O ye
+disciples, who in this closing age would follow after the Lord.
+
+236. The teachings of our Lord have entered into the Dragon Palace,
+for in this closing age they are too high for men. Men are impotent
+to follow after their practice or to attain unto them.
+
+237. Throughout the three periods hath the Divine Promise of the
+Buddha of Infinite Light prospered and grown. But in this period of
+the closing age all righteous deeds are hidden within the Dragon
+Palace.
+
+238. In a certain Sutra are we thus instructed, since the age that
+now is a part of the fifth in this closing age wherein men are fast
+bound in warfare, all righteous deeds have disappeared from the
+world.
+
+239. Since the ancient days the life of men, whose age counted as
+80,000 years, hath declined and lessened. And when they could live
+but 20,000 years, they were men living in an evil world, and with
+the five signs of degeneration upon them.
+
+240. And since time itself hath decayed, the bodily frame of man
+hath waxed smaller and feebler, and they are as furious serpents or
+as wicked dragons, for the decay of time worketh within them.
+
+241. The illusion that is bred of ignorance increaseth, and is
+driven over the world like dust. Hatred great and unbreakable as
+the high mountains is in the stead of love.
+
+242. The perversity of man is as strong and piercing as the thorn of
+the jungle. With eyes of suspicion and venomous anger do they accuse
+and persecute them who believe upon the Holy Name.
+
+243. It is a mark of the degeneration of time that man's life is
+brief and death cometh upon him early and with iron hands breaketh
+up his body and that which surrounds him wherein he dwelleth. And
+they who leaving justice turn to wickedness do destroy one another
+by their evil deeds.
+
+244. No hope is there that the men now living in these last days
+shall escape the fetters of birth and death if they refuse the
+merciful promise of the Blessed One.
+
+245. Of heretics in the faith are there ninety sorts that defile the
+world and only the teaching of the Enlightened One cleanseth it. By
+him alone that attaineth unto wisdom shall true joy to man be
+fulfilled according to nature and in peace.
+
+246. In these last times of decay the priests, together with the
+people, do evil unto him that trusteth in the doctrine of the Holy
+name.
+
+247. Whoso attaineth not unto wisdom is eager to harm that man who,
+with single heart, accepted the exalted promise. There is no end to
+the infinity of the ocean of birth and death for those men who raven
+to destroy the doctrine that is mighty to save them if they would
+have it so.
+
+248. Though the days of our present time are those that are called
+orthodox, we, in whom ignorance is fulfilled, have not within us the
+heart that is pure and true. How, then, can we of our own help
+attain unto the deeds that shall gain the wisdom that is made
+perfect.
+
+249. The strong heart that is able to attain unto wisdom by
+self-help is beyond human knowledge and speech. How is it possible
+that men full of ignorance, fettered unto birth and death, should
+possess such a heart.
+
+250. Though we were masters of the strong will of self-effort, even
+should we have seen face to face the Buddhas, myriad as the sands of
+Ganges--they who in this world were manifested the one after the
+other, yet were we drifted on the torrent of birth and death, in
+self-effort were no rescue for us.
+
+251. In these sinful days that are called the representative and
+last times all the teachings of the Lord Buddha, the Sakiya-Muni
+have vanished away, but the Divine Promise of the Buddha of Infinite
+Light, shining greatly over the world, prosperously leads mankind
+unto the Eternal Kingdom.
+
+252. After choice that is peerless and beyond the world's
+understanding, after five Kalpas of musing, the Blessed One builded
+up the Divine Promise of the Light and Life Infinite. And this is
+the Essence of His Mercy showed upon us.
+
+253. The noble mind that shall attain unto wisdom in the doctrine of
+the Pure Land is the mind that fain would become Buddha, and it is
+named: "The mind that shall save men who suffer."
+
+254. The mind that shall save men is that mind given by the high
+promise of the Blessed One. Whoso attaineth unto the faith He
+giveth shall be lord of the great Nirvana.
+
+255. Whoso attaineth unto the mind that would fain become Buddha,
+having sought refuge in the gift of the Blessed One, hath no term in
+his own gift of welfare to mankind, having for ever laid down all
+self-righteousness.
+
+256. According to the all-seeing promise of the Blessed One when the
+water of the faith He giveth entereth the soul, illusion passeth
+straight-way into wisdom through the virtue of that true land of the
+Divine Promise.
+
+257. That man who trusteth in the two gifts granted by the Buddha of
+Infinite Light, is raised up into the sphere of the Lesser
+Enlightenment, and thence hath he the heart that dwelleth always on
+the perfection of the Blessed One.
+
+258. He that attaineth unto the faith that is true gift of the
+promise of wisdom from the Blessed One, cometh unto the sphere of
+the Lesser Enlightenment, for he is embraced in the arms of the
+spiritual light that is of the Father Eternal.
+
+259. Fifty-six thousand and seventy years shall pass before the
+Bodhisattva that is Maitreya shall attain unto the Perfected
+Wisdom. But whoso embraceth the true faith shall at this very time
+be lord of the great Enlightenment.
+
+260. He that hath ascended unto the height of the Lesser
+Enlightenment, accepting the Divine Promise of the Holy Name, shall
+enter into the Great Nirvana, being made equal unto the Bodhisattva
+Maitreya.
+
+261. He that receiveth the true Faith, and is one with them that
+return no more to birth and death, shall receive the Perfected
+Wisdom, even as that Bodhisattva Maitreya that is called, "He that
+shall come."
+
+262. And the wise in the age which is called Representative, having
+utterly renounced all the doctrine of self-dependence, have entered
+in at the gate of the Holy Name. For this is the way chosen for that
+Age.
+
+263. He who reciteth the Holy Name, having attained unto the true
+faith, shall unceasingly adore the Eternal Father, that he may make
+a return unto Him for His Grace.
+
+264. Inexplicable and unutterable merit shall be given unto him who,
+living in this sinful world, believeth the Divine Promise that
+proceedeth from His will.
+
+265. For the true welfare of men that shall be the Buddha of the
+Great Light hath given the holy name of Wisdom unto the Bodhisattva
+of Wisdom.
+
+266. And with great compassion for mankind in this evil world the
+Bodhisattva of Wisdom persuadeth them to believe upon the Holy Name,
+and sweetly welcometh the believer that he may lead him into the
+Land of Purity.
+
+267. By the mercy of our Lord and of the Blessed One we are able to
+attain unto the heart that desireth Buddhahood. At that time alone,
+when we enter into the wisdom of the faith, shall we be ourselves
+like unto them that would return good unto the Buddha for His Grace.
+
+268. It is by the strength of the Divine Promise that we can reach
+unto the holy name of Wisdom. Without the wisdom of the faith, how
+is it possible that we should attain unto the Nirvana?
+
+269. The Divine Light shineth over the Deep Night of ignorance,
+therefore sorrow not that the wisdom of your eyes is darkened. The
+holy Ark is at hand that voyageth over the great ocean of birth and
+death; therefore fear not because your sin is heavy.
+
+270. Great as is the night of the Divine Promise of our Salvation,
+so light is the heaviest of our sins. Immeasurable is the wisdom of
+our Father, and therefore they that are strong, as also they that
+weary, shall never be forgotten.
+
+271. Our Father hath perfected His mercy by uttering the Divine
+Promise that giveth all His merit unto man, that He might save them
+that are fast bound unto birth and death.
+
+272. Yea, the recitation of His Holy Name is given of the Blessed
+One. Therefore we must not offer this unto Him for the acquirement
+of merit. For this will He most surely disdain.
+
+273. Yea, verily, when the water of the mind of man floweth into the
+great Ocean of the Divine Promise of the Perfect Wisdom it is
+changed and becometh the mind of infinite compassion.
+
+274. And the Lord saith, speaking through a certain Sutra:
+
+"My disciples that shall be, they that are sinners because of the
+lost way and love of evil things, it is they that shall destroy my
+holy doctrine."
+
+275. Whoso blasphemeth the doctrine of the Holy Name shall suffer
+without ceasing, for he shall fall into the depth of the Hell of
+Avichi for eighty thousands of Kalpas.
+
+276. He to whom is given the true entrance into the True and
+Promised Land, by the grace of our Lord and of the Blessed One,
+shall be one with those men who return no more unto birth and death,
+and after this transitory life attain unto the Great Peace.
+
+277. Well may we understand from the teaching of the myriad Buddhas
+in the Ten Regions--they that protect mankind--that the strong mind
+that seeketh enlightenment by self-effort is vain and impotent.
+
+278. The Buddhas in the Ten Regions, innumerable as the sands of
+Ganges, bear witness that very few are there of men in this sinful
+world and decaying time that attain unto the true faith.
+
+279. If we accept not the two divine gifts, the gift of entering the
+Promised Kingdom, and the gift of return into this evil world, then
+shall the wheel of birth and death turn with us for ever. And how
+shall we endure to sink into the sea of suffering?
+
+280. Whoso believeth the marvellous wisdom of that Blessed One,
+shall be joined unto them that return no more unto birth and
+death. And when, possessed of excelling knowledge, such a man is
+born into Paradise, soon shall he attain unto the Perfected Wisdom.
+
+281. It is the sole way unto the Promised Land that man should
+believe the wisdom that is beyond human knowledge, of the
+Enlightened One. Yet it is of all hard things hardest to attain unto
+the Faith, the true way that leadeth to Paradise.
+
+282. Casting aside the sorrow of birth and death, that sorrow which
+is timeless in its beginning, I hope now solely for the Great
+Nirvana. There is no end to my thankfulness for the two mighty gifts
+of our Eternal Father.
+
+283. Few are the believers that shall be born into the Land that is
+promised, but many are they that shall be born into the Temporal
+Paradise. Because the hope that we shall see Light by our own
+strength is vain, having no foundation, we have therefore drifted on
+the ocean of birth and death for many myriads of Kalpas.
+
+284. Because in the gift of the Holy Name is a grace great and
+wonderful, if man attain unto the gift of departing, that of itself
+shall guide him unto the gift of returning.
+
+285. Through the great mercy of the gift of departing shall we
+attain unto the compassion of the gift of returning. If it were not
+the free gift of the Blessed One, how should we attain unto wisdom
+in the Land of Purity.
+
+286. The Buddha of the Infinite Light, together with the
+Bodhisattvas of Compassion and Wisdom, having taken the Ark of the
+Divine Promise, that is voyaging on the ocean of birth and death,
+have gathered and saved mankind therewith.
+
+287. Whoso in heart and soul believeth the Divine Promise of the
+Buddha of Infinite Light must diligently recite the Holy Name both
+sleeping and waking.
+
+288. Those men in the hierarchy of Sages that have trusted unto
+self-effort for the means of attaining wisdom, on entering into the
+heritage of the Divine Promise believe in it as in the Reason that
+transcendeth all reason.
+
+289. Though the teachings of the Lord stand for ever, yet unto none
+is it possible to follow them in exactness, and therefore is there
+none that may attain unto supreme enlightenment in these last days
+of the falling away.
+
+290. In India, in China, and the land of Japan, may the many
+teachers of the doctrine of the Land of Purity, with compassion and
+tender acceptance, persuade mankind to strive unto the true faith
+that they may be joined unto those that return no more unto birth
+and death.
+
+291. Even as His friends the Lord commendeth those men that, having
+attained unto the true faith taught of the Blessed One unto us,
+dwell within the joy of holiness.
+
+292. It is very meet that our souls rejoice exceedingly in the grace
+of the great compassion of the Buddha. Yea, even to the extinction
+of the body. And for the gracious giving of our spiritual teachers
+we must in like manner rejoice, yea, though our very bones be
+broken.
+
+
+CONCERNING BELIEF AND DOUBT
+
+293. Whoso comprehendeth not the wisdom of the Enlightened One, and
+doubteth concerning His illumination, shall rise no higher than the
+Outermost Places, for he hath trusted in the power of Reward, and
+hath relied upon the principle of morality.
+
+294. Whoso doubteth the wisdom of the Enlightened One--that wisdom
+beyond all human understanding--and reciteth the Holy Name, trusting
+in the merit of himself, shall not rise beyond the outermost bounds
+of the Pure Land that is the Temporal Paradise, for he hath not the
+grace of right thankfulness for His Compassion.
+
+295. Whoso shall accept the doctrine of rewards and doubteth the
+wisdom of Him that hath Light that surpasseth all knowledge of man,
+shall be made captive in Doubting Castle, and the three jewels of
+the faith shall no more be his.
+
+296. For his sin, in that he hath doubted the wisdom of the
+Enlightened One, shall he remain in the Outermost Places of the Land
+of Purity. And for as much as we are taught that the sin of doubt
+is grievous, we are also instructed that he must there dwell for
+many Kalpas.
+
+297. If the prince committeth a sin against his Father, even the
+Chakravarti, the King, he is fettered as a prisoner, though the
+chain be of gold.
+
+298. Whoso reciteth the Holy Name, and so doeth as a work of
+self-merit, shall be bound in the prison of the sevenfold gems, for
+he believeth not right by the divine promise of that Holy One, and
+heavy is the sin of his doubting.
+
+299. Yet he even that hath a doubting soul and sinneth the sin of
+self-merit, must needs strive to comprehend the merciful goodness of
+the Blessed One, and he shall recite the Holy Name if he would at
+all be equalled unto him that holdeth the true faith.
+
+300. It is the Law that he who soweth shall reap what he soweth,
+therefore the man that is full of righteous deeds for the sake of
+self-merit shall enter into the prison of the sevenfold gems, for he
+doubteth the marvellous wisdom of Him that hath the Light.
+
+301. Whoso doubteth of the wisdom of Him that hath Light beyond the
+imagining of man, and trusteth to the root of goodness and
+virtue--he shall not attain unto the Soul of Great Mercy, for he is
+born into the Outermost Places of Paradise, and slow and dull of
+heart is he.
+
+302. Among those men that doubt the Holy Word, some are imprisoned
+in the shut bud of the Lotus. And they shall be despised as they
+that in illusion are born into the outermost Paradise or are held
+captive within the narrow walls of the womb.
+
+303. Whoso doubteth the omniscience of the wisdom of the
+Light-Bearer, but holdeth to his belief in Reward, excellent
+ofttimes in making the root of goodness to grow,
+
+304. Because he doubteth the wisdom of the Eternal Wisdom, and is
+held captive as in the strait prison of the womb, hath neither
+knowledge nor wisdom, and is compared unto a man straitly bound in
+captivity.
+
+305. He that is born into the outermost place, all glorious with the
+sevenfold jewels, shall not in five hundred years behold that
+three-fold jewel, the Tri-ratna, for there is in him no spiritual
+well-doing, that he should give it unto his fellow-men.
+
+306. To him who is born into the Palace, glorious with the seven
+jewels, for five hundred years there shall befall many sorts of
+sorrows from his own evil doing.
+
+307. Whoso hopeth reward and maketh to flourish the root of
+goodness, shall remain in the transitory Paradise, for though he be
+a good man, yet hath he a doubting heart.
+
+308. Because he accepteth not the Divine Promise of Him who is the
+Light unspeakable, and carrieth his doubt with him unto Paradise,
+therefore the shut flower of his heart openeth not, therefore is he
+unshapen as a child in the womb.
+
+309. When he perceiveth the Land of Purity, the Bodhisattva Maitreya
+thus questioneth the Holy One, saying, "What is the cause and what
+the circumstance of that man who, having been born, yet remaineth as
+it were straitened in the womb?
+
+310. And thus spake the Lord unto the Bodhisattva Maitreya saying,
+
+"Whoso trusteth in the root of goodness that he himself maketh to
+grow and hath a doubting soul, he it is that is in the outermost
+places of the Paradise, he it is that is said to be straitened still
+in the womb of ignorance."
+
+311. He who doubteth the wisdom of Him that is all Light, shall for
+his sin be made captive until five hundred years be gone, and this
+is called the conception within the womb of ignorance.
+
+312. Whoso doubteth the wisdom that is beyond man's understanding,
+and hath believed the doctrine of reward, shall of a certainty be
+born within Doubting Castle, and this is called conception within
+the womb of ignorance.
+
+313. Whoso trusteth upon self-righteousness rather than upon the
+wisdom of the Enlightened One that is beyond man's knowledge, shall
+be conceived within the womb of ignorance, and to him shall the
+mercy of the Three Jewels be unknown.
+
+314. Whoso doubteth the wisdom of the Enlightened One that
+surpasseth all knowledge of man and trusteth in the hope of reward,
+and would attain unto birth in Paradise by making the root of
+goodness to grow, shall be straitened in the womb of ignorance.
+
+315. Heavy is the sin of doubting the wisdom of the Buddha. He who
+is instructed taketh refuge in the wonderful wisdom of the
+Enlightened One, being in contrition for his foolishness.
+
+These twenty-three psalms above-written are made by me that men
+should know the heaviness of their sin in doubting the Divine
+Promise of the Buddha of Infinite Light.
+
+
+IN PRAISE OF PRINCE SHOTOKU
+
+316. Through the compassion of Shotoku the great prince we, having
+accepted the Divine Promise sprung from the unsearchable wisdom of
+the Illuminated One, are made equal unto Maitreya. Bodhisattva--the
+Buddha that shall be--having been united unto those men who return
+no more to birth and death.
+
+317. The mighty Bodhisattva of Compassion, he who is the Saviour,
+was made manifest in this world as Shotoku the Prince, who, like a
+father, hath not forsaken us, and like a mother is ever amongst us.
+
+318. From that past where was no beginning until the day that now
+is, hath Shotoku the great prince, the Compassionate, dwelt among us
+like unto a father and a mother.
+
+319. Shotoku the Prince, from his Compassion, hath persuaded us to
+enter in at the Divine Promise of the wondrous wisdom of the
+Light-Bearer. And through this are we joined unto those men who
+return no more unto birth and death.
+
+320. Whoso attaineth unto the holy faith that is the power of
+divinity, must, in the Ten Regions of the world, find the twofold
+gift of the Enlightened One, that he may live in thankfulness for
+His grace.
+
+321. Shotoku, he who is mercy's self, the Compassionate, he who is
+like unto a father, and the Bodhisattva of Mercy, the divine
+tenderness, his succour is merciful as the pity of a mother.
+
+322. Testimony is there that Shotoku the prince hath mercy upon us,
+from the myriads of Kalpas even unto this day, because the wondrous
+wisdom of Him who is Light beareth the load of his debt for the
+believer.
+
+Therefore before the eyes of His wisdom is the evil as the good, the
+pure as the unclean.
+
+323. Shotoku, the Prince, he that is in Japan called the Lord of
+Teaching, he whose great mercy overtops all spoken words of
+gratitude, must we therefore praise for evermore, having with single
+heart sought refuge in him.
+
+324. He who hath pitied the dwellers in the lands of Japan, the
+Prince of Jogu, he whose ways are merciful, hath spread abroad the
+Divine Promise of the Enlightened One. Therefore let us praise him
+with great rejoicing. Throughout the many myriads of Kalpas, birth
+after birth fell hitherto upon us.
+
+325. We to whom he showed forth his compassion must be swift to
+praise him, having continually sought refuge in him, and with a
+single mind.
+
+326. The high Prince Shotoku, he who hath guarded us and with great
+carefulness led us upwards from remotest times, hath lovingly
+entreated us to seek our refuge in the two-fold gift of the
+Enlightened One.
+
+
+WHEREIN WITH LAMENTATION I MAKE MY CONFESSION
+
+327. Though I seek my refuge in the true faith of the Pure Land,
+
+Yet hath not mine heart been truly sincere.
+
+Deceit and untruth are in my flesh,
+
+And in my soul is no clear shining.
+
+328. In their outward seeming are all men diligent and truth
+speaking,
+
+But in their souls are greed and eager and unjust deceitfulness,
+
+And in their flesh do lying and cunning triumph.
+
+329. Too strong for me is the evil of my heart. I cannot overcome
+it.
+
+Therefore is my soul like unto the poison of serpents,
+
+Even my righteous deeds, being mingled with this poison, must be
+named the deeds of deceitfulness.
+
+330. Shameless though I be and having no truth in my soul,
+
+Yet the virtue of the Holy Name, the gift of Him that is
+enlightened,
+
+Is spread throughout the world through my words being as I am.
+
+331. There is no mercy in my soul.
+
+The good of my fellow-man is not dear in mine eyes.
+
+If it were not for the Ark of Mercy, the divine promise of the
+Infinite Wisdom,
+
+How should I cross the Ocean of Misery?
+
+332. I, whose mind is filled with cunning and deceit as the poison
+of reptiles, am impotent to practise righteous deeds.
+
+If I sought not refuge in the gift of our Father, I should die the
+death of the shameless.
+
+333. It is a token of this evil age that in this world the priests,
+together with the people,
+
+In secret serve strange gods,
+
+While bearing the appearance of the devout sons of Buddha.
+
+334. Sad and corrupt is it that the priests and people, following
+after the superstitions of auspicious times and days, seek
+sooth-saying and festivals
+
+And worship the gods of heaven and earth.
+
+335. Though I have heard that the names of priest and monk are
+honourable,
+
+Yet now are they held as light as the five shameless precepts of
+Devadatta.
+
+336. Being of one accord with the many minds of the heathen,
+
+They bow in worship before devils,
+
+While yet wearing the robe of the Buddha.
+
+337. Sad and sorrowful is it that all the priests and people now in
+the land of Yamato should worship the devils of heaven and earth, in
+the name of the holy mysteries of the Buddha.
+
+338. It is a mark of the downward way of this evil age that men
+despise the name of priest or monk as a mean thing, considering them
+like unto slaves.
+
+339. May they yet bring offerings with homage unto the priests, even
+as you do unto Saliputra or Mahamonugalyayana, those two great
+servants of the Lord; though they are priests but in name and
+without discipline, for this is the time of degeneration and of the
+last days.
+
+340. Though sin hath no substance in itself, and is but the shadow
+of our illusion, and soul is in itself pure, yet in all this world
+is there no sincere man.
+
+341. Great sorrow is it that, in the wicked world of this age now so
+near its end, the high priests who are born in the palankin, and the
+monks who bear it now in Nara and Mount Hiyei, desire high secular
+rank as the greatest honour.
+
+342. That they consider the monk and nun as their slaves, and mock
+at the honourable title of priest and minister, even as at the mean
+name of slave, gives testimony that they despise the teaching of the
+Buddha.
+
+These sixteen psalms written above are written by me, Gutoku, with
+lamentation, to be a record. To me even the honourable priests and
+monks of the Central Temples seem now to be despised.
+
+
+ADDITIONAL PSALMS
+
+343. Having fulfilled forty and eight of the Divine Promise,
+
+He attained unto the supreme enlightenment, and was manifest as the
+Buddha of Infinite Light.
+
+Whoso seeketh refuge with Him shall be certainly born into the Land
+of Purity.
+
+344. Into the Promised Land--the Paradise of the Great Calm.
+
+He who practiseth the righteous deeds of the mingled motive hath no
+claim of birth,
+
+Therefore He that is Infinite would have us follow the deeds of the
+single practice that is chosen of Him as teaching that is at the
+root.
+
+345. The merit of His holy austerities throughout the myriads of
+Kalpas is fully declared in his name of Amida (the Infinite).
+
+And the Holy Name, after the consideration of five Kalpas,
+
+Will be accorded unto us who are alive in this degenerated age.
+
+346. Because action, speech, and mind of the Infinite Life and the
+believer in the Holy Name are welded as into a diamond, therefore
+shall he certainly be one with the men that return no more unto
+birth and death.
+
+347. He that hath much knowledge and keepeth the Pure Land is not
+chosen,
+
+And whoso breaketh the Holy Law and sinneth is not disdained.
+
+Only he that seeketh refuge in the Eternal Father shall enter into
+Buddhahood as a pebble is transmuted into gold.
+
+348. Our faith that endureth as the diamond cometh from the mind of
+the Buddha that eternally endureth.
+
+Lacking the aid of the Divine Power, how should we attain unto the
+unchanging mind?
+
+349. In the great ocean of the Divine Promise
+
+Is there no ripple of illusion.
+
+If we enter into the ark of the Holy Vow,
+
+The spirit of mercy shall take part with our self-endeavour.
+
+350. Since we have believed the Divine Promise,
+
+How is it possible we should be in the power of life or death?
+
+Unchanged may be our sinful body,
+
+But our heart is in the Paradise for ever.
+
+
+[Transcriber's Note: Numbering went 307, 308, 307, 310 . . . fixed]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Buddhist Psalms, by Shinran Shonin
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BUDDHIST PSALMS ***
+
+***** This file should be named 7015.txt or 7015.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/7/0/1/7015/
+
+Produced by David Starner and the Online Distributed Proofreader's Team.
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at
+  www.gutenberg.org/license.
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at 809
+North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887.  Email
+contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the
+Foundation's web site and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit:  www.gutenberg.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For forty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.