Several months ago I started working on poetic translations of the Goeika (御詠歌 - Sacred Songs) of the Shikoku Henro. Goeika are waka, Japanese classical poems, which follow a 5-7-5-7-7 syllabic structure. This structure far predates the advent of Buddhism to Japan, but was coopted by medieval Buddhist preachers as a way of conveying teachings and experiences in a way normal people could understand. Over time, a poem was associated with each temple on the Shikoku Henro. Though brief, they incorporate wordplay that relates the names of sacred places to universal themes of suffering, purification, and salvation practitioners then and now experience as they go around the pilgrimage.
These poems were once a central element of the prayer service performed at temples on the Henro, as we can see from the service outlined in a 17th-century guidebook by Shinnen.
His service basically runs:
Introduce yourself by putting your name slip (part of a pilgrim's kit) in the box.
Call to mind the deity of the place you're praying at, and all deities throughout Japan.
Call to mind all the people who contribute to your life and wellbeing, from the top of society to your immediate family.
Call to mind everyone who has been a part of your pilgrimage.
Intending to share the merits of your practice with all the beings you recalled above, chant the Kōmyō Shingon and the name of Kōbō Daishi, "Namu Daishi Henjō Kongō."
Sing the sacred site's Goeika three times.
In the 88 Goeika of the pilgrimage, the anonymous pilgrim poets have immortalized moments of doubt, flashes of insight, experiences of ecstasy, and the deepening of their faith. I hope having access to them in English facilitates a deeper connection to the rich spiritual heritage of the Henro for international pilgrims. These translations will be free to access and distribute in perpetuity, and are available for download below. The Japanese versions of these poems can be found here.
Namu Daishi Henjō Kongō
1
Traveling to stand
in Shakyamuni’s presence
on the Holy Peak–
all my numberless misdeeds
will be washed away, they say
2
If you want to go
to Amitabha’s Pure Land
of Ultimate Bliss
let Namu Amidabu
be always on your lips
3
Just imagining
the pond of precious treasure
in the Land of Bliss
the golden spring bubbles forth
crystal clear, full to the brim
4
Casting my gaze out
illumined by the pale moon
halfway through the night
in the village called Dark Vale
I glimpse my sleeves, black as ink
5
Great Bodhisattva
Earth Store, you who change your form
to suit the six realms–
I beg you, show me the path
in this world and all after
6
In this fleeting world
battles over land and wealth
are a waste of time–
look instead to the Ruler
of the Land of Pleasant Ease
7
When human beings
put all eight types of suffering
swiftly to the side
they reach their destination:
nine Pure Land stages, ten joys
8
In Kuma Valley
collecting wood and water
I come to the temple–
this, too, an austerity
to prepare for my next life
9
The Great Vehicle–
even the sin of slander
turned upon its head
is a karmic tether to
the turning Wheel of the Law
10
At Cut-cloth Temple
even the tiniest shred
of a craving mind
turns into a stumbling block
I’ll face in the next world, too
11
Perfect Middle Way
the temple wisterias’
color and perfume–
not a day goes by without
waves of Suchness rising
12
Thoughts of the next world
inspire deepest reverence
at Burnt Peak Temple–
I will overcome the trials
at the afterlife’s three fords
13
The land of Awa
at the region’s Premier Shrine
put on the prayer cord
and offer your petition
for this life and the next one
14
Eventually
you will come to the far shore
of abiding joy
if you board without delay
the raft of the Buddhas’ vows
15
An array of hues
the colors are divided
some dim, some vivid–
the whole round of birth and death
in the autumn maple leaves
16
Do not forget me
I beg you, Sound-Perceiver
here at your temple–
guide me to the Western Realm
to Amitabha’s Pure Land
17
The shape of my face
I see it reflected back
in the well’s waters–
scooping up a clear handful
I’ll wash the stains from my heart
18
Mountain of Blessings
from my mother and father
those who gave me life–
the journey to this temple
isn’t hard with that in mind
19
One day, I hope to stand
in the Western Dwelling Place
all of us as one–
to climb aboard and sail on
the raft of the Buddhas’ vows
20
Amidst the wild growth
of the forest of white cranes
guiding all your steps
are the Great Master Kūkai,
Earth Store, and Śakra the King
21
Here, the Great Dragon
dwells forever in his cave
rid of body-mind
recalling all the Sutras
guarding the Buddhas’ teachings
22
When listening
without any separation
in equality
Ah! how trustworthy they are
the Buddhas whom I now see
23
Healing Lord Temple–
in years of calamity
which none can escape,
pour out Lapis Medicine
to heal our every ill
24
Temple in the East
the sky awaits the rising
of the morning star–
so must I keep wandering
in delusion’s deep darkness
25
Is the ferryboat
going out or coming in
to Harbor Temple?
Pick up my wandering body
and put me on board, I beg
26
Land of Perfect Bliss
the place of all my longings
for my next rebirth–
in the Western Temple’s sky
the moon, pointing out the way
27
High Peak of the Gods
the heart of the Buddha’s Vows
even higher still–
even if I should fall down
among hell’s blades, there it is
28
Like dew and hoarfrost
our defilements disappear
in the Great Sun’s light–
I’ll hoist all mine on my back
and carry them up with me
29
A temple was built
and filled with precious treasures
in every province
that blessings may be passed down
until the next age’s dawn
30
Tosa’s Premier Shrine
bustling with visitors
like a marketplace–
in time past, down to our day
always flourishing like this
31
Namah, Manjusri!
“Buddha Mother through all time”
I have heard you called–
I come to you as your child
craving the milk of wisdom
32
The ocean below
Meditation Master Peak
is still and quiet–
bobbing on the waves, my mind
slips aboard the Buddhas’ raft
33
High Fortunes Temple
all my hunger on the road
now seems far behind–
eager for the things to come
the moon amidst the light of dawn
34
Temple of the Seeds
planting the five types of grain
all throughout the world–
the Thus Come Ones’ compassion
deep and vast beyond measure.
35
Waterfall temple
the stream of mind flows pure as
I draw clear water
springing silken from the rock
dissipating like sea foam
36
The Azure Dragon
lives within the temple’s spring
tiny though it is
fulfilling its sacred vow
to guard the Buddhas’ teachings
37
Five sacred places
to match the six defilements–
a demonstration
that the gods of Niita
take pleasure in salvation
38
To Potalaka
Should I grab the ship’s oar and
strike out from the cape
or throw it out and stay here?
I’ll leave the choice to the wind
39
Namah, Great Healer,
you who relieve all sickness
with hope, I beg you
throwing myself at your feet
give me all the help you can
40
My heartfelt prayer
blooming like the flowers do
in spring’s liberty–
may I live as the free ones
far off from this floating world
41
The Great Deity–
the Esoteric teachings
passed down through three lands
are completely protected
thanks to Their solemn promise
42
Buddha-Tree Temple
even trees and grasses
can become Buddhas–
so too ghosts, beasts, humans, gods,
without any doubt at all
43
I have heard it said
that the Thousand-Armed One’s vow
is truly wondrous–
to Them, the greatest boulder
is lighter than a pebble
44
Everywhere I look
merciful blessings abound
truly wonderful–
until the end I rely
on Amitabha’s great vow
45
The Holy Beings’
mighty prayers, stalwart as
the temple’s boulders–
within the cliffside caverns
glimpses of their perfect bliss
46
The perfect bliss of
the Realm of Pure Lapis Gem -
this world's petty peace
compared with that Buddha Land
is hardly worth attention
47
About to blossom
Eight-hill Temple’s flowers and
the poet-singer–
hymns praising the Buddha Way
a teaching for all who hear
48
If you want to go
and hear Amitabha’s words
in his Buddha Land
then you must pay a visit
to the Western Grove Temple
49
The ten evil deeds
weigh heavy on my body
but just as I am
I come to Pure Land Temple–
it’s sinners who need it most
50
Do not be idle–
though your mind is scattered with
a million schemes
pray with the Medicine Lord
that every sickness be healed
51
Though I have not seen
Amitabha’s Western Land
of true health and peace
within this temple’s precincts
I receive his ten blisses
52
Climbing the mountain
the higher I get the more
sweat drenches my clothes
but thinking of the next world
nothing feels like suffering
53
Warm and welcoming
Amitabha’s radiance
shines down perfectly
illuminating shadows
like the moon in the night sky
54
I sing a mirror
reflecting all perfectly
round and unclouded
the shape of my staring face
leaves no trace on its surface
55
Awakening from
a dream of Mishima’s Shrine
in this holy place–
though called Secondary Shrine
the Buddha’s form is the same
56
All who visit here
must leave it all behind them
eventually–
as you come, offer prayers
for guidance to the next world
57
In the present world
he is the god Eight Banners
patron of archers–
in the world to come he is
the savior, Amitabha
58
Coming to a pause
at the Hall of Prostrations
while you rest your feet
chant Namu Amida Bu
and read out Buddhist scriptures
59
Provincial Temple
built to pray for the nation
and all its people
the Medicine Lord within
blesses the land of Iyo
60
Mountainside temple
surrounded by peaks and cliffs
built up tall and broad
that the Universal Light
may shine to save all people
61
Fragrant Glade Temple–
all who fear the afterlife
should come straight away
bathe in the unstoppable
stream of the White Waterfall
62
Early summer rain
soaks the earth and then flows out
in the Jewel Well
gushing forth like a river
at Shiratsubo’s Great Shrine
63
With every step
striking stains of evil speech
from my tired body–
all must pray with constant hope
for help from Vaiśravaṇa
64
With the Gods in front
and Enlightened Ones behind
all of my misdeeds
are smashed by the sledgehammer
of perfect, abiding bliss
65
Though a grizzled ghost
wearing a tri-cornered band
should appear to you
with a mind like the full moon
remember Amitabha
66
At last I’ve arrived
at the temple in the wilds
surrounded by clouds
below, all the memories
of days spent in the valley
67
Small but strong, the pines
and the temple named for them–
when I catch a glimpse
the warm breeze of the Teaching
gently blows across my face
68
The sound of a flute
wind that rushes through the pines
a plucked koto string
joyous sounds of song and dance
the voices of the Teaching
69
Sound-Perceiving One
if the strength of your mercy
is so powerful
I beg you, pull me along
though my misdeeds are heavy
70
By whose gentle hand
were this mountain’s bright flowers
planted in the ground?
I pluck one with my fingers,
an offering to the Buddhas
71
Deep Valley Temple–
on the road you were beset
by evildoers
but here, if only briefly
taste the goodness of friendship
72
Mandala Temple–
praying for a moment here
a person needs just
two or three more rebirths before
they attain Awakening
73
To save all beings
who wander in the six realms
of ceaseless rebirth
the Buddha Shakyamuni
appeared upon this mountain
74
The Twelve Generals
stand forever by my side
in all my battles
my mind is stalwart, fearless,
as firm as Armored Mountain
75
If I were to stay
at this temple, my mind’s light
would never flicker–
the good road is brightened by
the lamp of the Buddhas’ vows
76
I tell you truly
if you open the doors of
Golden Buddha Hall
you will be overwhelmed by
the wondrous power of mantras
77
I bring my prayers to
the One who waits inside where
the Buddha Way thrives
desiring to gaze upon
the rising moon of Bodhi
78
Dancing and chanting
Amitabha’s name within
Training Ground Temple
the Saint Ippen struck his bell
and prepared for his next life
79
We must always strive
to attain abiding bliss
in this floating world
where even the emperors
wander like hungry phantoms
80
Land split by mountains–
I scramble along cliffside roads
temple to temple
a thousand hands stretch out to
anyone who dares to come
81
The frigid hoarfrost
turns the temple sparkling white
just before dawn breaks
still, the chanting voices rise
proclaiming the Buddha Way
82
At twilight I thought
the frost would never melt, but
the dawn sees it gone
the bells of morning prayers
blend with the chanting voices
83
At the Premier Shrine
in the land of Sanuki
I pay my respects
even among the pious
who can know the great god’s mind?
84
On Eight Isle Plateau
visit the Shrine of arrows
and catalpa bows–
you’ll gain a soldier’s courage
if you offer up your prayers
85
Every affliction
burns up in the wisdom flames
bursting from my chest–
apart from those who practice
who could know such joy as this?
86
Though it’s sad to say
if not now then someday soon
death will come for me–
in the temple thinking thus
chanted prayers caress my ears
87
Treading mountain paths
among the songs of wild birds
at Long Tail Temple–
I’ll keep vigil through the night
chanting Amitabha’s name
88
Namah, Healing Lord
rescue from all ills, I beg,
those who pray to you
now and in all time to come
at the Temple of the Cave
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