Just trace with your finger. That alone quiets your mind.
Sutra copying often brings to mind gathering tools, grinding ink, sitting in seiza—this app skips all that and lets you do shakyo with just your smartphone.
Trace the model characters shown on the screen with your finger. It feels like coloring. Stroke order mistakes or poor handwriting don’t matter—because you’re tracing, errors don’t occur in the first place. That removes the pressure to “write well,” letting you focus only on moving your finger.
Included text: the Amitabha Sutra. About 280 characters, taking roughly 15–30 minutes to complete—neither too short nor too long, just enough to make your mind feel clear.
Main features
- Auto-advance: when you finish tracing a character, it automatically moves to the next one. No need to tap the screen, so you can stay immersed. You can switch to manual advance in settings if you prefer.
- Furigana on all kanji: readings are shown for every character, so old or unfamiliar forms won’t slow you down.
- Plain-language translation: check a modern-Japanese translation of the Amitabha Sutra anytime. Knowing the meaning gives each character you trace more weight.
- Shakyo history: date, time, and counts are recorded automatically, helping you track and keep up your practice.
Who it’s for
Honestly, it’s for people who tried meditation or mindfulness but found “just sitting and doing nothing” hard. Tracing gives your attention a clear place to rest, making it much easier for many people than silent sitting meditation.
Common uses:
- Turning off your brain before sleep
- Centering yourself before work or study
- Calming persistent anxiety or restlessness
- Jump-starting focus for those who struggle to concentrate
- Learning the proper readings and meaning of the Amitabha Sutra
How to use
Open the app and tap “Start,” then trace the displayed characters with your finger. Beginning with gassho (palms together) helps mark the transition. Use recitation audio or silence—your choice. When you finish, the app returns to the menu and records the session.
Experience the calm after completing a shakyo.
Terms of use (Apple standard EULA):
https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/