Sutra of the
(Amitabha Sutra, Shorter
Amitabha Sutra, Shorter Sukhavati-Vyuha Sutra
translated to Chinese by Kumarajiva, 402 CE)
---o0o---
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
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
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.