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The Praises of Amida.
Under the surface, life in death,
Shiny tangle and oozy moans,
Creeping things with watery breath,
Blackening roots and whitening bones.
On the surface, a shining reach,
A crystal couch for the moon-beam's rest,
Starry ripples along the beach,
Sunset songs from the breezy west.
Under the surface, glooms and fears,
Treacherous currents, swift and strong,
Deafening rush in drowning ears,—
Have ye rightly read my song?
(a) A flattering heart is at enmity with the Way. It behoves us, therefore, to cultivate uprightness of heart. Know this also that a flattering heart is the parent of mistrust. He that entereth Religion must lay it aside. Therefore do ye make an honest heart the basis of your
lives.
Yuigwakyō.
(b) Be ye careful not to make a display of exalted virtue, for deceit lurks in all such display, and produces covetousness deceit, and impure thought, which multiplies a hundred fold. Truly, it is like the venomous serpent: it produces the threefold workings, yet is it rightly called poisoned righteousness, deceitful activity. It cannot be called a true working.
San-zen-gi.
1. I once read a story written by an American novelist, the hero of which was a young Christian preacher who enjoyed a great reputation for holiness among his fellow-believers.
