Translated into English by Buddhist Text Translation Society
Verse for Opening a Sutra
The unsurpassed, profound, and wonderful Dharma,
Is difficult to encounter in hundreds of millions of eons,
I now see and hear it, receive and uphold it,
And I vow to fathom the Tathagata's true meaning.
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 Solitary, together
with a gathering of great Bhikshus, twelve hundred fifty in all, all great
Arhats whom the assembly knew and recognized: elders Shariputra,
Mahamaudgalyayana, Mahakashyapa, Mahakatyayana, Mahakaushthila, Revata,
Shuddhipanthaka, Nanda, Ananda, Rahula, Gavampati, Pindola Bharadvaja,
Kalodayin, Mahakapphina, Vakkula, Aniruddha, and others such as these, all
great disciples; together with all the Bodhisattvas, Mahasattvas: Dharma
Prince Manjushri, Ajita Bodhisattva, Gandhahastin Bodhisattva, Nityodyukta
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, "Passing from here
through hundreds of thousands of millions of Buddhalands to the West, there
is a world called Ultimate Bliss. In this land a Buddha called Amitabha right
now teaches the Dharma.
"Shariputra, for what reason is this land called Ultimate Bliss?
"All living beings of this country endure none of the sufferings, but enjoy
every bliss. Therefore it is called 'Ultimate Bliss.'
"Moreover, Shariputra, this Land of Ultimate Bliss is everywhere 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 named 'Ultimate
Bliss.'
"Moreover, Shariputra, this Land of Ultimate Bliss has pools of the seven
jewels, filled with the waters of eight meritorious virtues. The bottom of
each pool is pure, spread over with golden sand. On the four sides are stairs
of gold, silver, lapis lazuli, and crystal; above are raised pavilions
adorned with gold, silver, lapis lazuli, crystal, mother-of-pearl, red
pearls, and carnelian.
"In the pools are lotuses as large as carriage wheels, green colored of
green light, yellow colored of yellow light, red colored of red light, white
colored of white light, subtly, wonderfully, fragrant and pure.
"Shariputra, the realization of the Land of Ultimate Bliss is thus
meritoriously adorned.
"Moreover, Shariputra, in that Buddhaland there is always heavenly music and
the ground is yellow 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, with sacks full of the myriads of wonderful
flowers, makes offerings to the hundreds of thousands of millions of Buddhas
of the other directions. At mealtime they return to their own country, and
having eaten, they stroll around.
"Shariputra, the realization of the Land of Ultimate Bliss is thus
meritoriously adorned.
"Moreover Shariputra, in this country there are always rare and wonderful
vari-colored birds: white cranes, peacocks, parrots, and 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 sounds
proclaim the five roots, the five powers, the seven bodhi shares, the eight
sagely way shares, and dharmas such as these. When living beings of this land
hear these sounds, 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
karmic offences. For what reason? In this Buddhaland there are no three evil
ways of rebirth. Shariputra, in this Buddhaland not even the names of the
three evil ways exist, how much the less their actuality! Desiring that the
Dharma-sound be widely proclaimed, Amitabha Buddha by transformation made
this multitude of birds.
"Shariputra, in that Buddhaland when the soft wind blows, the rows of
jewelled trees and jewelled nets give forth subtle and wonderful sounds, like
one hundred thousand kinds of music played at the same time. All those who
hear these sounds naturally bring forth in their hearts mindfulness of the
Buddha, mindfulness of the Dharma, and mindfulness of the Sangha.
"Shariputra, the realization of the Land of Ultimate Bliss is thus
meritoriously adorned.
"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 life of that Buddha and that of his people
extends for measureless, limitless asamkhyeya kalpas; for this reason he is
called Amitayus. And Shariputra, since Amitabha realized Buddhahood ten
kalpas have passed.
"Moreover, Shariputra, that Buddha has measureless, limitless sound-hearer
disciples, all Arhats, their number incalculable; thus also is the assembly
of Bodhisattvas.
"Shariputra, the realization of the Land of Ultimate Bliss is thus
meritoriously adorned.
"Moreover, Shariputra, those living beings born in the Land of the Ultimate
Bliss 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 asamkhyeya kalpas could it be spoken.
"Shariputra, those living beings who hear should vow, 'I wish to be born in
that country.' And why? Those who thus attain are all superior and good
people, all coming together in one place. Shariputra, one cannot have few
good roots, blessings, virtues, and causal connections to attain birth in
that land.
"Shariputra, if there is a good man or a good woman who hears spoken
'Amitabha' and holds the name, whether for one day, two days, three, four,
five days, six days, as long as seven days, with one heart unconfused, when
this person approaches the end of life, before him will appear Amitabha and
all the assembly of holy ones. When the end comes, his heart is without
inversion; in Amitabha's Land of Ultimate Bliss he will attain rebirth.
Shariputra, because I see this benefit, I speak these words: If living beings
hear this spoken they should make the vow, 'I wish to be born in that land.'
"Shariputra, as I now praise the inconceivable benefit from the merit and
virtue of Amitabha, thus in the east are also Akshobhya Buddha, Sumeru
Appearance Buddha, Great Sumeru Buddha, Sumeru Light Buddha, Wonderful Sound
Buddha, all Buddhas such as these, numberless as Ganges sands. In his own
country each brings forth the appearance of a vast and long tongue,
everywhere covering the three thousand great thousand worlds, and speaks the
sincere and actual words, 'All you living beings should believe, praise, and
hold in reverence the inconceivable merit and virtue of this Sutra of the
Mindful One of Whom all Buddhas are protective.'
"Shariputra, in the Southern world are Sun Moon Lamp Buddha, Well-known
Light Buddha, Great Blazing Shoulders Buddha, Sumeru Lamp Buddha, Measureless
Vigor Buddha, all Buddhas such as these, numberless as Ganges sands. In his
own country each brings forth the appearance of a vast and long tongue,
everywhere covering the three thousand great thousand worlds, and speaks the
sincere and actual words, 'All you living beings should believe, praise, and
hold in reverence the inconceivable merit and virtue of this Sutra of the
Mindful One of Whom all Buddhas are Protective.'
"Shariputra, in the Western world are Measureless Life Buddha, Measureless
Appearance Buddha, Measureless Curtain Buddha, Great Light Buddha, Great
Brightness Buddha, Jewelled Appearance Buddha, Pure Light Buddha, all Buddhas
such as these, numberless as Ganges sands. In his own country each brings
forth the appearance of a vast and long tongue, everywhere covering the three
thousand great thousand worlds, and speaks the sincere and actual words,
'All you living beings should believe, praise, and hold in reverence the
inconceivable merit and virtue of this Sutra of the Mindful One of Whom all
Buddhas are Protective.'
"Shariputra, in the Northern world are Blazing Shoulders Buddha, Most
Victorious Sound Buddha, Hard To Injure Buddha, Sun Birth Buddha, Net
Brightness Buddha, all Buddhas such as these, numberless as Ganges sands. In
his own country each brings forth the appearance of a vast and long tongue,
everywhere covering the three thousand great thousand worlds, and speaks the
sincere and actual words, 'All you living beings should believe, praise, and
hold in reverence the inconceivable merit and virtue of this Sutra of the
Mindful One of Whom all Buddhas are Protective.'
"Shariputra, in the world below are Lion Buddha, Well-known Buddha, Famous
Light Buddha, Dharma Buddha, Dharma Curtain Buddha, Dharma Maintaining
Buddha, all Buddhas such as these, numberless as Ganges sands. In his own
country each brings forth the appearance of a vast and long tongue,
everywhere covering the three thousand great thousand worlds, and speaks the
sincere and actual words, 'All you living beings should believe, praise, and
hold in reverence the inconceivable merit and virtue of this Sutra of the
Mindful One of Whom all Buddhas are Protective.'
"Shariputra, in the world above are Pure Sound Buddha, King of Stars Buddha,
Superior Fragrance Buddha, Fragrant Light Buddha, Great Blazing Shoulders
Buddha, Vari-colored Jewels and Flower Adornment Body Buddha, Sala Tree King
Buddha, Jewelled Flower Virtue Buddha, Vision of All Meaning Buddha, Such As
Mount Sumeru Buddha, all Buddhas such as these, numberless as Ganges sands.
In his own country each brings forth the appearance of a vast and long
tongue, everywhere covering the three thousand great thousand worlds and
speaks the sincere and actual words, 'All you living beings should believe,
praise, and hold in reverence the inconceivable merit and virtue of this
Sutra of the Mindful One of Whom all Buddhas are Protective.'
"Shariputra, what do you think? Why is it called 'Sutra of the Mindful One
of Whom all Buddhas are Protective?' Shariputra, if a good man or good woman
hears this sutra and holds to it, and hears the names of all these Buddhas,
this good man or woman will be the mindful one of whom all Buddhas are
protective, and will irreversibly attain anuttarasamyaksambodhi. Therefore,
Shariputra, all of you should believe and accept my words and those which all
Buddhas speak.
"Shariputra, if there are people who have already made the vow, who now make
the vow, or who are about to make the vow, 'I desire to be born in
Amitabha's Country,' these people, whether born in the past, now being
born, or to be born in the future, all will irreversibly attain
anuttarasamyaksambodhi. Therefore, Shariputra, all good men and good women,
if they are among those who have faith, should make the vow, 'I will be born
in that country.'
"Shariputra, just as I now praise the inconceivable merit and virtue of all
Buddhas, all those Buddhas equally praise my inconceivable merit and virtue
saying these words, 'Shakyamuni Buddha can complete extremely rare and
difficult deeds. In the Saha land, in the evil time of the five turbidities,
in the midst of the kalpa turbidity, the view turbidity, the affliction
turbidity, the living beings turbidity, and the life turbidity, he can attain
anuttarasamyaksambodhi and for the sake of living beings, speak this Dharma
which in the whole world is hard to believe.'
"Shariputra, you should know that I, in the evil time of the five
turbidities, practice these difficult deeds, attain anuttarasamyaksambodhi,
and for all the world speak this Dharma, difficult to believe, extremely
difficult!"
After the Buddha spoke this sutra, Shariputra and all the bhikshus, all the
gods, men, and asuras, and others from all the worlds, hearing what the
Buddha had said, joyously welcomed, faithfully accepted, bowed and withdrew.
(End of The Buddha Speaks of Amitabha Sutra)
Buddha's True Dharma Great Transference of Merit
Namo Burning Lamp Ancient Buddha, the master that bestowed a prediction of
Buddhahood on Shakyamuni Buddha.
Namo Fundamental Teacher Shakyamuni Buddha.
Namo Quelling Disasters Lengthening Life Medicine Master Buddha Thus Come One
of the Eastern Pure Lapis Lazuli Land.
Namo Guide Master Amitabha Buddha of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Namo Maitreya Honored Future Buddha.
Namo Manjusri Great Wisdom Bodhisattva.
Namo Universal Worthy Great Conduct Bodhisattva.
Namo Avalokiteshvara Great Kindness and Compassion Bodhisattva Mahasattva.
Namo Great Strength Bodhisattva Mahasattva.
Namo Earth Treasury King Great Vow Bodhisattva Mahasattva.
Namo Great Pure Sea-like Assembly of Bodhisattvas Mahasattva.
Bow with Utmost Sincerity to all those who see and hear of this, and wish
those to share together the subtle Dharma; Be full with the joy of the Dharma
and six periods of auspiciousness.
Mind Enlightened and understand the true meaning, go to the Liberation, and
archive Buddhahood.
Namo throughout all the space and pervades the experiential realm, past,
present, and future, all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, All pre-eminent Dharma and
all Nobel and Sagely Sangha, Mahasattvas.
Grateful to the Dharma guarding dragons and Devas protecting true Dharma.
Grateful to all Enlightened Ones, Mahasattvas.
Wishing past, future and present, all Unenlightened living beings, whether
monks or the laity, men or women, any ethnic group, every kind of sentient
being, and Six Destinies Beings are together all ashamed of the behaviors,
speech, and thoughts from previous lifetimes because of greed, anger, and
folly, and thus repent with utmost sincerity, and never repeat again.
Pray with utmost sincerity to all perfectly Enlightened Ones that are
throughout all the space and pervade the experiential realm who bless with
compassion and authority the countless suffering beings to purify
Self-Nature, escape suffering, and attain happiness and complete Liberation.
I vow that this merit and virtue may extend to all living beings so that I
and all beings may together realize the Buddha Way.