Read, reflect, pray
Taking refuge: Tendai
三帰依文（天台宗）
A Tendai reflection on the rarity of human life and hearing the Dharma, followed by wholehearted refuge in the Three Jewels.
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.
Though birth as a human is difficult to obtain, we have already received it.
Though hearing the Buddha’s teaching is difficult, we have already heard it.
If we do not carry this body across the shore of delusion in this lifetime, in what other lifetime can we do so?
Together with everyone assembled here, we sincerely take refuge in Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.
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.
人身受け難し今既に受く。
ninshin uke gatashi imasudeni uku.
仏法聞き難し今既に聞く。
buppou kiki gatashi imasudeni kiku.
此の身今生に度せずんば、更に何れの生に於いてか此の身を度せん。
kono mi konjouni dosezunba, sarani izureno shouni oiteka kono miwo dosen.
大衆諸共に至心に三宝に帰依したてまつる。
taishuu morotomoni shishinni sanbouni kieshitatematsuru.
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.