Nichiren-shu Opening Sutra Gatha

[tktru]

Hello, would anyone be interested in helping me translate this version of the Opening Sutra Gatha in English? Thanks...


*無上甚深微妙の法は、百千万劫にも遭い奉ること難し
*我今見聞し、受持することを得たり、願わくは如来の第一義を解せん
*至極の大乗、思議すべからず
*見聞触知、皆菩提に近づく
*能詮は報身、所詮は法身、色相の文字は、即ち是れ応身なり
*無量の功徳、皆この経に集まれリ
*是故に自在に冥に薫じ密に益す
*有智無智罪を滅し善を生ず
*若しは信、若しは謗、共に仏道を成ず
*三世の諸仏、甚深の妙典なり
*生々世々、値遇し頂戴せん

[Tatsuo]

The opening recitation of Nichirenshū is already translated by Senchū Murano. Here is the translation:

The most profound and wonderful teaching is presented in this sutra. This sutra is difficult to meet even once in thousands and millions of aeons. Now we have been able to see, hear, receive and keep this sutra. May we understand the most excellent teaching of the Tathagata (Buddha).
The most excellent teaching of the Great Vehicle is very difficult for us to understand. We shall be able to approach enlightenment when we see, hear, or touch this sutra. Expounded is the Buddha’s truth. Expounding is the Buddha’s essence. The letters composing this sutra are the Buddha’s manifestation. Just as perfume is caught by something put nearby, so shall we richly benefit by this sutra, even when we are not aware of the benefit because infinite merits are accumulated in this sutra.
Anyone can expiate his sin, do good deeds, and attain Buddhahood by the merits of this sutra. It does not matter whether he is wise or not, or whether he believes the sutra or rejects it. This sutra is the most wonderful and most excellent taught by the Buddhas of the past, present, and future. May we meet and receive it, birth after birth, world after world.

(taken from here - there is also more on the development of this text)

[plwk]

Now I appreciate Wu Ze Tian's love of brevity in her version...