The Prince and the Monk: Shotoku Worship in Shinran's Buddhism

Appendix B

Appendix B A Translation of Shinran’s Kotaishi Shotoku hosan (Hymns of Respect to Imperial Prince Shotoku), written in Kencho 7 [1255] at the age of Eighty-three 1 Give reverence to Prince Shotoku of the country of Japan! Out of his deep compassion, Prince Shotoku brought the profound Buddhist teachings to the people And was responsible for the spread of Buddhism in Japan. 2 After he ordered the construction of the four sub-temples of Shitennoji, Prince Shotoku went into the mountainous forest In O – tagi (Kyoto) and made a proclamation. 3 Prince Shotoku stated that the imperial capital Would surely be established there sometime in the future. To commemorate the event, A hexagonal platform was built on that land. 147 4 Inside the hexagonal temple (Rokkakudo), A three-inch-tall, Jambunada golden statue guze Kannon Was placed there for security and protection. 5 After spending several decades in the imperial capital of Nanba In the Settsu province, Prince Shotoku moved to Tachibana, Where he built the Horyuji. 6 From the capital of Tachibana, Prince Shotoku moved again to Nara, Where he built many more temples And continued to spread the Buddha’s teaching. 7 After the reign of four emperors in Nara, The capital was moved to Nagaoka for fifty years And then moved again to O – tagi. 8 During the reign of Emperor Kammu, in Enryaku 6 (787), When the capital was being built, The world-saving bodhisattva of compassion ( guze Kannon), Performed miraculous signs for people to behold. 9 The Horyuji was constructed on the first site, Which marked the spread of Buddhism in Japan and Prince Shotoku’s building of many temples and pagodas in various places. 10 In observance of Prince Shotoku’s orders, The people, along with the imperial family and court officials, Gave homage and paid their respects at the hexagonal temple. 148 The Prince and the Monk 11 Prince Shotoku was born As Queen Srimala in India And appeared as Master Hui-ssu (Jpn. Eshi) in China. 12 He appeared in China to help people; He was reborn as both man And woman five hundred times. 13 He appeared in the Hunan province at Mount Heng to spread the Buddhist teaching; Having experienced tens of incarnations, He proclaimed Sakyamuni Tathagata’s teaching. 14 He appeared as Master Hui-ssu to help people in attaining liberation; He was referred to as Master of Southern Mountain At the Mount Heng temple where the Wisdom sutras were proclaimed. 15 According to the record on his handprint seal, Prince Shotoku built a temple in eastern Kyoto In order to benefit sentient beings. 16 Built in the spirit of dharma at Shitennoji, The Koryoji name was given to the temple Because it was constructed in the Koryo province. 17 In 593, after moving to the eastern section of the Koryo region, Prince Shotoku built the Shitennoji And spread the Buddhist teaching everywhere. Appendix B 149 18 At this place, it was believed that the Tathagata came in the past And declared that he would turn the wheel of dharma In order to spread the Buddhist teaching. 19 At that time, the honorable Prince Shotoku made offerings to the Tathagata. Out of his devotion, he built the temple and pagoda To honor the Tathagata. 20 Constructing the statues of the Four Guardian Deities And spreading the Buddhist teaching, Prince Shotoku built the Kyoden-in temple As a place where enlightenment could be realized. 21 At this place, there is a body of pure water, which is called Koryo pond. An auspicious dragon lives there And protects the Buddhist teaching. 22 In 597, Prince Shotoku performed rituals for the dragon On the banks of Tamatsukuri To propagate the Buddha’s teaching. 23 The place is adorned with the seven precious materials; The dragon is always there. The pure water, flowing to the east, Is called “flowering water of white jade.” 24 For those who drink the pure water with a heart of compassion, It becomes a medicine of dharma. Those who obey the words of Prince Shotoku humbly draw from its flow. 150 The Prince and the Monk 25 The main hall and the pagoda stand in the center, Facing the eastern gate of the Paradise. All who make a pilgrimage there once Will surely attain birth in the Pure Land. 26 Prince Shotoku...