Sutra of
the Buddha's Teaching On Amitabha
(Amitabha
Sutra, Shorter Amitabha Sutra, Shorter Sukhavati-Vyuha Sutra
translated to Chinese by Kumarajiva, 402 CE)
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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.
Source: Buddhist Text
Translation Society,
http://www.drba.org
Source: Rick St
Clair's web page,
http://web.mit.edu/stclair/www/amida.html
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Update: 01-06-2004
