PREFACE
Translation of Buddhist scriptures requires tremendous energy and incessant study in order to convey the flavor of the original texts. We at the Ryukoku Translation Center have been focusing our attention on retaining faithfulness to the original texts, and yet achieving fluency of the translation, goals which tend to be contradictory. In order to overcome this contradiction, a detailed introduction, annotation, and supplementary notes have been included with this translation. Although this format may appear clumsy and onerous to the general reader, it is because of the inclusion of these notes that our translations have come to regarded as “trustworthy”.
This translation of Shinran’s Shozomatsu Wasan, “Hymns on the Right, Semblance, and Last Dharma-ages,” is the result of many hours of devoted effort by the members of the Ryukoku Translation Center staff, and we sincerely hope that it will contribute to a fuller understanding of Shinran’s thought.
Kenko Futaba
President of Ryukoku University
CONTENTS
Introduction
TEXT
Opening Hymn
Hymns on the Last Age
Hymns on Doubt
Hymns on Prince Shõtoku
Hymns of Lament
Hymns on Zenkõji
Note on Jinen Hõni
Closing Hymns
Postscript by Rennyo
Mappõ-Tõmyõ-ki
List Of Proper Nouns
List Of Footnotes
Bibliography