いろは歌 (Iroha Uta)

Original Japanese, Phonetic Sound, and English Translation:

いろはにほへと ちりぬるを（色は匂へど 散りぬるを）

Iroha ni hoheto
Chirinuru wo

Though flowers bloom in all their beauty, they must eventually fall.

Meaning: Even the most beautiful flowers eventually fade and scatter. Likewise, human life is impermanent; all living beings must one day pass away.

わかよたれそ つねならむ（我が世誰ぞ 常ならむ）

Wagayo tare zo
Tsune naramu

Who in this world can remain unchanged forever?

Meaning: Nothing in this world remains the same forever. All things, including ourselves, are subject to change.

うゐのおくやま けふこえて（有為の奥山 今日越えて）

Ui no okuyama
Kyō koete

Today, I cross the deep mountains of worldly existence.

Meaning: This passage represents transcending the ever-changing and impermanent nature of worldly life.

あさきゆめみし ゑひもせす（浅き夢見じ 酔ひもせず）

Asaki yume miji
Ei mo sezu

I shall dream no fleeting dreams, nor remain intoxicated by illusion.

Meaning: By letting go of illusions and worldly attachments, one can attain a state of spiritual awakening and clarity.

Background / Explanation:

The Iroha Uta is a traditional Japanese poem believed to date from the Heian period. It uses each character of the classical Japanese syllabary exactly once and is deeply influenced by Buddhist teachings on impermanence (mujō).

The poem reflects on the fleeting nature of beauty, life, and worldly existence, ultimately suggesting that spiritual enlightenment can be achieved by transcending attachment and illusion.