Read, reflect, pray
Within the sacred rocks: waka
大聖の
Author not named
Poem and reading aid
大聖の
daishouno
いのる力の
inoru chikarano
げに岩屋
geni iwaya
石のなかにも
ishinonakanimo
極楽ぞある
gokurakuzoaru
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
How wondrous this rocky sanctuary, filled with the great holy one’s power of prayer: even within the stone there is a Pure Land.
Background and attribution
A pilgrimage song of Iwayaji, Shikoku temple 45, whose principal image is Fudō. Its praise belongs to the landscape and devotion of this temple.
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.