The
English translation of SANBUTSUGE from the BCA "Dharma School Service
Book," 1981, and "Tan Butsu Ge," by Gyomay M. Kubose, 1976.
SOURCE: Shin Buddhist Service Book, BCA, 1994, San Francisco.
Sanbutsuge ...
The light of your face is unsurpassed in majesty, your awesome
greatness is beyond limit, a brightly shining flame with no equal.
Next to your brilliance, even the brightness of sun, moon, and Mani
jewel seem covered in black ink.
Tathagata's transcendent appearance has no comparison in all the world.
The whole universe vibrates with the great sound of your enlightenment.
Your rare and superior virtues of wisdom, understanding, deep
meditation, and strength of endeavor are awesome, beyond comparison.
Your meditation to the innermost depths of all the Buddha Dharma oceans
is without limit, bringing full understanding.
Ignorance, greed and anger do not reside in the World-Honored One, the
Man of Lion. Your noble virtues are immeasureable.
Your meritorious service is vast and great, the depths of your wisdom
profound. Your majestic appearance of light illumines the entire universe.
When I (Dharmakara Bodhisattva) become a Buddha equal to the Dharma
King, I vow to transcend life and death and free all beings.
Among the virtues of Dana, readiness, discipline, patience, and
endeavor, the highest shall be deep meditation and wisdom.
I will become a Buddha and completely fulfill my vow, I will bring
great peace to all who are in doubt or fear.
Even though there are a myriad Buddhas and sages as numerous as the
sands of the Ganges, and I were to offer homage to them all, it is still
better for me to be faithful and strong, in seeking the true Path, never
retreating.
The Buddha worlds, also innumerable as the Ganges sands, will be
completely illuminated by my shining light. The strength of my effort in
this endeavor is beyond measure.
When I become a Buddha, my Land will be the finest. All the beings
there will be exquisitely beautiful.
My country will be like Nirvana, a place of practice, transcendent
beyond words, without equal. In my compassion I will enlighten all.
Beings will come from the ten directions to be born in my country. They
will be pure, their minds filled with gladness. Those in my pleasant
country will be peaceful and at ease.
Please, dear teacher, accept this proof of my sincerity. Here I
establish my vow. Through strength and endeavor I shall fulfill this
desire.
The wisdom of all the Buddhas of the ten directions is unimpeded. May
they always know my intent.
Even though my body may undergo many sufferings and much pain, I shall
never cease my efforts. Whatever I must bear, I shall have no regrets.
