Read, reflect, pray
Wishing for the Pure Land: waka
極楽の
Author not named
Poem and reading aid
極楽の
gokurakuno
弥陀の浄土へ
midano joudohe
行きたくば
ikitakuba
南無阿弥陀仏
namuamidabutsu
口ぐせにせよ
kuchiguseniseyo
How to use the Roman letters
Roman letters follow the kana displayed in this site’s Japanese reader; some readings are editorial additions documented on the Japanese page. These are a reading aid, not restored Sanskrit or a recording of a temple’s chanting. Historical spellings (such as wo, wi, we and ha used as a particle) are kept. Double vowels and repeated vowels mark the written kana; rhythm and pronunciation can differ by tradition.
You can simply read the meaning or sit quietly. No recitation is required. For a temple or shrine’s own recitation, follow that tradition’s published guidance.
Meaning in English
If you wish to go to Amida’s land of bliss, let Namu Amida Butsu be words you say day by day.
Background and attribution
A pilgrimage song of Gokurakuji, Shikoku temple 2, whose principal image is Amida. The invitation to nembutsu is presented as the song’s words, not a rule imposed on every visitor.
The English meaning and explanation are this site’s own rendering. The poem’s speaker, author and object of devotion are not necessarily the same.
Connected figures
Sources and edition (1)
English explanations on this page were prepared by Inori no Mori from the cited text and its Japanese explanations. They are not an official translation or a prescribed liturgy.