Washi no yama tsuki o irinu to miru hito wa kuraki ni mayou kokoro narikeri

鷲の山月を入りぬと見る人は
暗きに迷ふ心なりけり

Roma-ji: Washi no yama tsuki o irinu to miru hito wa kuraki ni mayou kokoro narikeri
English Translation: The Vulture Peak's moon,
whoever thinks that it has
set and gone from sight,
theirs is a heart that wanders
lost within the darkness.
Meaning: Those who think the moon of the Vulture Peak has set are hearts that wander lost in darkness.
Commentary: Miscellaneous Poems 888

Headnote: "The chapter on the Life Span of the Tathāgata"
The topic is the chapter on the Life Span of the Tathāgata in the Lotus Sutra, which teaches that the Buddha's life is in truth eternal, and that his seeming entry into nirvana is only an expedient to guide people. Those who think the moon of the Vulture Peak, the Buddha, has set are hearts lost in darkness, the poet says, affirming the Buddha's eternal presence.

First line, “washi no yama”: the Vulture Peak where the Buddha preached the Lotus Sutra.
Second line, “tsuki o irinu to”: that the moon has set, a figure for the Buddha's passing.
Third line, “miru hito wa”: those who see it so.
Fourth line, “kuraki ni mayou”: wandering in the dark, set against the moon of the second line.
Fifth line, “kokoro narikeri”: narikeri marks realization; such is their heart.
Author: Saigyō
Source: Sankashu
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