Hell is Made of Ice

In Buddhadharma, Hell is made of ice.
One thousand flames that freeze advance at me
To show me that Amida will suffice,

And yet I cannot see my karma twice,
Regarding only karma’s great decree:
“In Buddhadharma, Hell is made of ice.”

In Hell, the Crimson Lotus paradise,
The fissures of my flesh put out their plea
To show me that Amida will suffice,

Yet when the cold breaks in with no device,
I cannot see and only want to flee
(In Buddhadharma, Hell is made of ice),

But when my mind has broken in its vice
The ice will turn to water of the sea
To show me that Amida will suffice.

Although my passions linger and entice,
One thousand flames that freeze have made me see:
In Buddhadharma, Hell is made of ice
To show me that Amida will suffice.