Read, reflect, pray
Homage to the Buddha’s relics
舎利礼文
A homage to Shakyamuni’s relics, expressing the wish to awaken the aspiration for enlightenment and undertake bodhisattva practice.
English meaning and source text
English meaning
About this English rendering
This site’s English rendering of the Japanese meaning guide, aligned with this edition. It is separate from the source words for recitation and is not an official liturgy. Sacred sounds are explained where possible, not given speculative literal translations. Historical beliefs, royal authority, illness and protection claims belong to the text; they are not present-day judgments, medical advice or guarantees of results.
With one heart, I bow deeply
to the relics, endowed with every virtue,
of Shakyamuni Tathagata,
his true body.
Their root is the Buddha’s body that is truth itself,
a stupa extending throughout all worlds.
We revere and worship them.
You manifest your form for our sake;
the Buddha enters me, and I enter the Buddha.
Supported by the Buddha’s power,
may I realize awakening
and, through the Buddha’s wondrous power,
be of help to all living beings.
May I awaken the heart that seeks enlightenment and the rescue of others,
practice the deeds of a bodhisattva,
enter together the peace beyond delusion,
and attain the great wisdom without discrimination.
Now I bow in reverence.
Source text and reading aid
Roman letters are provided for every line of this source text.
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.
一心頂礼
isshinchourai
万徳円満
mantokuenman
釈迦如来
shakanyorai
真身舎利
shinjinshari
本地法身
honjihosshin
法界塔婆
hokkaitouba
我等礼敬
gatouraikyou
為我現身
iigaagenshin
入我我入
nyuugaganyuu
仏加持故
butsukaajiikoo
我証菩提
gaashouboodai
以仏神力
iibutsujinriki
利益衆生
riiyakushujou
発菩提心
hotsuboodaishin
修菩薩行
shubosatsugyou
同入円寂
dounyuuenjaku
平等大智
byoudoudaichii
今将頂礼
konjouchourai
Connected kami and buddhas
These connections include figures addressed, mentioned, or associated by tradition. They do not assign a universal recitation practice.
Sources and edition (2)
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.