A Verse of the Shakujo

Below is the 6th of the "Nine Verses of the Shakujo." The shakujo is the Buddhist priest's staff with metal rings at the top, usually but not always six rings in number. The six can represent either the six types of existence in the Samsaric world, the world which we see, hear and feel; or the rings may stand for the six paramitas (perfections) of the bodhisattva. For the priest travelling by foot, he sometimes announces his presence by the sound of the shaking of the sakujo. And also while he is walking through the forest, especially at night, the rattling sound will warn small animals to avoid getting stepped upon.

The Nine Verses of the Shakujo is in the daily chant book of Tendai priests, and its content is quite interesting, covering the whole wide range of living beings. It addresses the Dharmakaya of the Buddhas; heavenly and earthly dieties which Shakyamuni Buddha controlled; the beings in the realms of absolute truth, relative truth, and the middle way; the bodhisattvas practicing the six paramitas, the sangha members striving to overcome their faults; those beings causing others to suffer; and the suffering beings themselves, who dwell in the three lower realms of existence.

The sixth verse concerns us sangha members, and as I recite it I reflect on my own faults, and how those faults should be replaced with beneficial actions, thereby aiding sentient beings and eliminating obstacles to enlightenment.

I PRAY THAT ALL BEINGS EVERYWHERE HEAR THE SOUND OF THE SHAKUJO

THAT THE LAZY BECOME ENERGETIC

THAT THE PRECEPT BREAKERS BECOME VIRTUOUS

THAT THE UNTRUSTWORTHY BECOME RELIABLE

THAT THE STINGY BECOME GENEROUS

THAT THE ANGRY BECOME MERCIFUL

THAT THE FOOLISH BECOME WISE

THAT THE ARROGANT BECOME HUMBLE

THAT THE INDULGENT BECOME PRACTITIONERS

AND BY COMPLETELY CULTIVATING SKILLFUL MEANS

THEY CAN BECOME FREE FROM ALL OBSTACLES

THEY CAN TAKE HEART

AND QUICKLY ATTAIN ENLIGHTENMNET