Namo! Homage to the Lotus Pool Assembly of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
As Vast As the Sea
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
- http://web.singnet.com.sg/~alankhoo/AmitabhaSutra.htm
- wong chee tat :)
