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Dhammapada · narration sample

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A Hundred Verses from Old Japan · 96 of 101

95. The Former Archbishop Jiyen: Saki No Daisōjō Jiyen

95

The Former Archbishop Jiyen

SAKI NO DAISŌJŌ JIYEN

Ōkenaku Uki yo no tami ni Ōu kana Waga tatsu soma ni Sumizome no sode.

UNFIT to rule this wicked world With all its pomp and pride, I’d rather in my plain black robe A humble priest abide, Far up the mountain side.

The Archbishop was a son of the author of verse No. 76. He had just been promoted to his exalted rank, which entailed living at the Temple of Mount Hiei, near Kyōto, and this is his modest deprecatory verse on his new appointment. He is said to have put an end to his life by the method described in the note to verse No. 12.

In the picture we see the Archbishop in his robes, and the great Temple of Mount Hiei, while in the distance are: the wild hills where he longs to be.