Chirimagau hana no nioi o sakidatete hikari o nori no mushiro ni zo shiku

散りまがふ花のにほひを先立てて
光を法の筵にぞ敷く

Roma-ji: Chirimagau hana no nioi o sakidatete hikari o nori no mushiro ni zo shiku
English Translation: Blossoms in a whirl,
sending their glory ahead
as they scatter down,
he spreads his light across
the seat where the Law is taught.
Meaning: Sending ahead the beauty of blossoms scattering in a whirl, the Buddha spreads his light across the seat of the Law.
Commentary: Miscellaneous Poems 877

Headnote: "The Introductory Chapter"
The topic is the Introductory Chapter of the Lotus Sutra. It tells how, as the Buddha was about to preach the Lotus Sutra, mandarava and other flowers rained down from heaven and light shone from the white curl between his brows, illuminating the world. Sending ahead the glory of blossoms scattering in a whirl, the Buddha spreads his light across the seat of the Law, the poet says, picturing that solemn scene.
From here to 893, poems on the chapters of the Lotus Sutra follow one after another.

First line, “chirimagau”: scattering in a whirl, the flowers raining from heaven.
Second line, “hana no nioi o”: nioi is the beauty and radiance of color.
Third line, “sakidatete”: sending ahead, as a herald.
Fourth line, “hikari o nori no”: the light shining from the white curl between the Buddha's brows.
Fifth line, “mushiro ni zo shiku”: nori no mushiro is the seat of preaching; zo is answered by the attributive shiku.
Author: Saigyō
Source: Sankashu
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