When we say "Namu-amida-butsu,"
Brahma and Indra venerate us;
All the benevolent gods of the heavens
Protect us constantly, day and night.
When we say "Namu-amida-butsu,"
The four great deva-kings together
Protect us constantly, day and night,
And let no evil spirits come near.
...
When we say "Namu-amida-butsu,"
Nanda, Upananda, and the other great nagas,
Along with the countless naga-gods, revere
And protect us constantly, day and night.
When we say "Namu-amida-butsu,"
Yama, the king of the dead, reveres us,
And the officers who judge the beings of the five courses of existence
All protect us constantly, day and night.
When we say "Namu-amida-butsu,"
We are protected by the great king of maras
Residing in the sixth heaven;
This he vowed to do in the presence of Sakyamuni Buddha.
The gods of the heavens and earth
Are all to be called good,
For together they protect
The person of the nembutsu.
-- Hymns of the Pure Land, stanzas 100-101, 102-106
Originally posted: February 5, 2006 2232H
Update posted: March 7, 2013 0237H
Reference:
Within the context of the hell realm, the five courses of existence refers to the god realm, the demi-god realm, the human realm, the animal realm, and the hungry ghosts realm.
Brahmāloka may be the sixth heaven.
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