Hedate naki nori no kotoba ni tayori ete hachisu no tsuyu ni aware kakuran

隔てなき法の言葉にたより得て
蓮の露にあはれかくらん

Roma-ji: Hedate naki nori no kotoba ni tayori ete hachisu no tsuyu ni aware kakuran
English Translation: In the Law's words, which
know no barriers, finding
a refuge, he must
be turning his heart now to
the dew upon the lotus.
Meaning: Finding refuge in the words of the Law that know no barriers, the departed must now be turning his heart toward the dew upon the lotus.
Commentary: Miscellaneous Poems 840

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Reply"
This is Saigyō's third reply, answering 835. The late Sōkū, finding refuge in the words of the Law that saves all without distinction, must now be turning his heart to the dew on the lotus of paradise, he says. To 835's question whether the departed would resent him, he answers that Sōkū is already in the Pure Land and holds no resentment toward this world.

First line, “hedate naki”: without barriers, the Law that saves all.
Second line, “nori no kotoba ni”: in the words of the Buddhist Law.
Third line, “tayori ete”: finding a refuge.
Fourth line, “hachisu no tsuyu ni”: hachisu is the lotus of paradise, on which the reborn are said to sit.
Fifth line, “aware kakuran”: ran is conjecture about the present; he must be turning his heart there.
Author: Saigyō
Source: Sankashu
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