Thus I have heard, at one time the Buddha dwelt at Shravasti, in the Jeta Grove in the Garden of the Benefactor of Orphans and the Forlorn, together with a gathering of Great Bhikshus, twelve-hundred fifty in all, all Great Arhats well-known to the assembly: Elders Shariputra, Mahamaudgalyayana, Mahakasyapa, Mahakatyayana, Mahakausthila, Revata, Suddhipanthaka, Nanda, Ananda, Rahula, Gavampati, Pindola-Bharadvaja, Kalodayin, Mahakaphina, Vakkula, Aniruddha, and others such as these, all Great Disciples, together with all the Bodhisattvas, Mahasattvas: Manjushri, Prince of Dharma; Ajita Bodhisattva, Gandhastin Bodhisattva, Nityodukta Bodhisattva, and others such as these, all Great Bodhisattvas, and together with Shakra, Chief among Gods, and the numberless great multitudes from all the heavens.
At that time, the Buddha told the Elder Shariputra, From here, passing
through hundreds of thousands of millions of Buddhalands to the West there is a
world called Utmost Happiness. In this land a Buddha called Amitabha right now
teaches the Dharma.
Shariputra, why is this land called Utmost Happiness? All living beings of
this country never suffer, but enjoy every bliss. Therefore it is called Utmost
Happiness.
Moreover, Shariputra, this land of Utmost Happiness is completely surrounded
by seven tiers of railings, seven layers of netting, and seven rows of trees,
all formed from the four treasures, and for this reason called Utmost Happiness.
Moreover, Shariputra, in the land of Utmost Happiness are pools of the seven
jewels, filled with the waters of eight meritorious qualities; the bottom of
each pool is pure, covered with golden sands. On the four sides climb stairs of
gold, silver, lapus lazuli, crystal, mother-of pearl, rubies, and carnelian.
In the pools bloom lotuses as large as carriage wheels with colors of green
light, red light, yellow light, and white light, subtle, rare, fragrant, and
pure. Shariputra, the Land of Utmost Happiness is crowned in splendor and
virtues such as these.
Moreover, Shariputra, in this Buddhaland heavenly music always plays, and the
ground is made of gold. In the six periods of the day and night a heavenly rain
of mandarava flowers falls, and throughout the clear morning, each living being
of this land offers sacks filled with myriads of wonderful flowers to the
hundreds of thousands of millions of Buddhas of the other directions. At
mealtime they return to their own countries and after eating they walk about.
Shariputra, the Land of Utmost Happiness is crowned in splendor and virtues
such as these.
Moreover, Shariputra, in this country there are always rare and unusual birds
of many kinds and colors: white geese, cranes, peacocks, parrots, egrets,
kalavinkas and two-headed birds. In the six periods of the day and night the
flocks of birds sing forth harmonious and elegant sounds. Their clear and joyful
calls proclaim the Five Roots, the Five Powers, the Seven Limbs of Bodhi, the
Eightfold Path of Sages, and dharmas such as these. When living beings of this
land hear their calls they are altogether mindful of the Buddha, mindful of the
Dharma, and mindful of the Sangha.
Shariputra! Do not say that these birds are born as retribution for their
sins. And why not? Because in this Buddhaland the three evil paths do not exist.
Shariputra, even the names of the three evil paths are unknown in this Buddha's
land; how much the less could they actually exist! Wishing to proclaim the
Dharma's sound far and wide, Amitabha Buddha created these multitudes of birds
by transformation.
Shariputra, in that Buddhaland when the gentle winds blow, the rows of
jewelled trees and jewelled nets reverberate with fine and wondrous sounds, as a
symphony of one hundred thousand kinds of music played in harmony. All who hear
these sounds are naturally mindful of the Buddha, mindful of the Dharma, and
mindful of the Sangha. Shariputra, the Land of Utmost Happiness is crowned in
splendor and virtues such as these.
Shariputra, what do you think? Why is this Buddha called Amitabha?
Shariputra, the brilliance of that Buddha's light is measureless, illumining the
lands of the ten directions everywhere without obstruction. For this reason he
is called Amitabha.
Moreover, Shariputra, the lifespan of that Buddha and that of his people
extends for measureless, limitless asamkhyeyas of kalpas. For this reason he is
called Amitayus. And, Shariputra, since Amitabha became a Buddha, ten kalpas
have passed.
Moreover, Shariputra, that Buddha has measureless, limitless asamkheyas of
Sound-Hearer disciples, their number incalculable. So too is the assembly of
Bodhisattvas. Shariputra, that Buddhaland is crowned in splendor and virtues
such as these.
Moreover, Shariputra, the living beings born in the Land of Utmost Happiness
are all avaivartika. Among them are many who in this very life will dwell in
Buddhahood. Their number is extremely many; it is incalculable. And only in
measureless, limitless asamkyeyas of kalpas could they be counted.
Shariputra, those living beings who hear of this should vow: I wish to be
born in that country. And why? Because those who are born there assemble in one
place with people whose goodness is unsurpassed. Shariputra, if one has few good
roots, blessings, and virtues, one cannot be born in that land.
Shariputra, if there is a good man or good woman who hears of Amitabha and
holds his name whether for one day, two days, three, four, five days, six days,
as long as seven days with one mind unconfused, when this person nears the end
of life, before him will appear Amitabha and all the Assembly of Holy Ones. When
the end comes, his mind will not be utterly confused, and in Amitabha's Land of
Utmost Happiness he will quickly be reborn. Shariputra, because I see this
benefit, I speak these words; and, if living beings hear this teaching they
should make the vow: I wish to born in that land.
Shariputra, just as I now praise the inconceivable benefits arising from the
merit and virtue of Amitabha, so too in the East does Akshobya Buddha, Sumeru
Likeness Buddha, Great Sumeru Buddha, Sumeru Light Buddha, Wonderful Sound
Buddha; all Buddhas such as these, numberless as Ganges' sands, each in his own
country gives forth a vast and far-reaching sound that pervades the threefold,
great, thousand-world realm and proclaims these sincere and honest words: All
you living beings should believe in this sutra which all the Buddhas praise for
its inconceivable merit and virtue, a sutra they protect and bear in mind.
Shariputra, in the Southern World, Sun-Moon Lamp Buddha, Sumeru Lamp Buddha,
Celebrated Light Buddha, Great Radiant Shoulders Buddha, Sumeru Lamp Buddha,
Measureless Vigor Buddha, all Buddhas such as these, numberless as Ganges'
sands, each in his own country gives forth a vast and far-reaching sound that
pervades the threefold, great, thousand-world realm and proclaims these sincere
and honest words: All you living beings should believe in this sutra which all
Buddhas praise for its inconceivable merit and virtue, a sutra they protect and
bear in mind.
Shariputra, in the Western World, Measureless Life Buddha, Infinite Features
Buddha, Measureless Curtain Buddha, Great Light Buddha, Great Clarity Buddha,
Jewelled Likeness Buddha, Pure Light Buddha, all Buddhas such as these,
numberless as Ganges' sands, each in his own country gives forth a vast and
far-reaching sound that pervades the threefold, great, thousand-world realm and
proclaims these sincere and honest words: All you living beings should believe
in this sutra which all Buddhas praise for its inconceivable merit and virtue,
protecting and bearing it in mind.
Shariputra, in the Northern World, Radiant Shoulders Buddha, Most Glorious
Sound Buddha, Invincible Buddha, Sun-Birth Buddha, Luminous Net Buddha, all
Buddhas such as these, numberless as Ganges' sands, each in his own country
gives forth a vast and far-reaching sound that pervades the threefold, great,
thousand-world realm and proclaims these sincere and honest words: All you
living beings should believe in this sutra which all Buddhas praise for its
inconceivable merit and virtue, a sutra they protect and bear in mind.
Shariputra, in the World Below, Lion Buddha, Well-Known Buddha, Celebrated
Light Buddha, Dharma Buddha, Dharma-Curtain Buddha, Upholding Dharma Buddha, all
Buddhas such as these, numberless as Ganges' sands, each in his own country
gives forth a vast and far-reaching sound that pervades the threefold, great,
thousand-world realm and proclaims these sincere and honest words: All you
living beings should believe in this sutra which all Buddhas praise for its
inconceivable merit and virtue, a sutra they protect and bear in mind.
Shariputra, in the World Above, Pure Sound Buddha, Constellation King Buddha,
Superior Fragrance Buddha, Fragrant Light Buddha, Great Radiant Shoulders
Buddha, Varicolored Jewels-Adorned Body Buddha, Sala Tree King Buddha, Jewelled
Flower of Virtue Buddha, Discerning All Meanings Buddha, Like Sumeru Mountain
Buddha, all Buddhas such as these, numberless as Ganges' sands, each in his own
country gives forth a vast and far-reaching sound that pervades the threefold,
great, thousand-world realm and proclaims these sincere and honest words: All
you living beings should believe in this sutra which all Buddhas praise for its
inconceivable merit and virtue, a sutra they protect and bear in mind.
Shariputra, what do you think? Why is it called Sutra which all Buddhas
protect and bear in mind? Shariputra, if a good man or good woman hears this
sutra and upholds it, and hears the names of all these Buddhas, this good man or
good woman will also be one whom all Buddhas protect and bear in mind, and will
attain non-retreat from anuttarasamyaksambodhi. Therefore, Shariputra, all of
you should believe and accept my words and the words all Buddhas speak.
Shariputra, if there are people who have already made the vow, who now make
the vow, or who will make the vow, I wish to be born in Amitabha's country,
these people, whether born in the past, now being born there, or to be born
there in the future, will all attain non-retreat from anuttarasamyaksambodhi.
Therefore, Shariputra, all good men and good women who believe should make the
vow, I wish to be born in that country.
Shariputra, just as I now praise the inconceivable merit and virtue of all
Buddhas, all those Buddhas also praise my inconceivable merit and virtue, saying
these words: Shakyamuni Buddha can accomplish extremely difficult and rare deeds
in the Saha Land during the evil time of the Five Turbidities: during the time
turbidity, the views turbidity, the affliction turbidity, the living beings
turbidity, and the lifespan turbidity. He can attain anuttarasamyaksambodhi and
for the sake of living beings proclaim this Dharma, which the whole world finds
hard to believe.
Shariputra, you should know that I, in the evil time of the Five Turbidities,
perform these difficult deeds, attain anuttarasamyaksambodhi, and for the entire
world proclaim this Dharma which is difficult to believe, extremely difficult!
After the Buddha spoke this Sutra, Shariputra, all the Bhikshus, and the
entire world of gods, humans, asuras, and others, hearing what the Buddha had
said, joyously delighted in it, faithfully accepted it, bowed and withdrew.
End of the Buddha Speaks of Amitabha Sutra
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