Gosho 開目抄 上 Liberation from Blindness.

此(これ)等(ら)の賢聖の人人は聖人なりといえども過去を・しらざること凡夫(ぼんぷ)の背を見ず・未来を・かがみざること盲人の前をみざるがごとし、

But although the wise and worthies who preach this doctrine are acclaimed as sages, in their lack of knowledge about the past they are like ordinary people unable to see their own backs, and in their understanding about the future they are like a blind man unable to see what lies before him.

Although these sages are called men of wisdom and sages, they do not know of past existences. This can be compared to one being unable to see one’s own back. Furthermore, these sages being unaware of future existences is similar to the blind being unable to see what is in front of them.

但(ただ)現在に家を治め孝をいたし堅(かた)く五常を行ずれば傍(ほう)輩(ばい)も・うやまい名も国にきこえ賢王もこれを召して或(あるい)は臣となし或は師とたのみ或は位をゆづり天も来て守りつかう、

If, in terms of the present, one brings order to one’s family, carries out the demands offilial piety, and faithfully practices the five constant virtues, then one’s associates will respect one, and one’s name will become known throughout the country. If there is a worthy ruler on the throne, he will invite such a person to become his minister or his teacher, or may even cede his position to him.Heaven too will come to protect and watch over such a person.

When one contributes to the foundation of a happy family, and becomes filial to one’s parents, firmly observing the five cardinal virtues, one will be held in reverence by his peers, and his fame will spread throughout the nation. A wise king will ask him to be his retainer, revere him as his master, and abdicate the throne in favor of him. Various heavenly beings will come down to protect and serve him.


　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　つづく To be continued

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