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I. PROLOGUE
Thus have I heard: at one time, Shakyamuni Buddha was
staying on Vulture Peak near Rajagrha with a great assembly of 1,250
bhiksus and 32,000 bodhisattvas, led by the Dharma-Prince
Manjushri.
At that time, in the great city of Rajagrha, there was a
prince named Ajatasatru. Following the counsel of Devadatta, an evil
friend, he arrested his father, King Bimbisara, and confined him in a cell
surrounded by walls seven layers deep, forbidding any officials or
ministers from going there. The queen, whose name was Vaidehi, remained
loyal to the king. Purifying herself by bathing, she anointed her body
with an ointment of cream and honey mixed with wheat flour, and filled her
ornaments with grape juice. She then offered them to the king in
secret.
At that time, the king ate the flour-paste and drank the
grape juice, then asked for some water. Having rinsed his mouth
completely, he respectfully placed his palms together and, facing Vulture
Peak, bowed to the World-Honored One. He said, "Great Maudgalyayana is my
friend and compatriot; I beg you to have the compassion to come and
initiate me in the Eight Precepts."
Thereupon, Maudgalyayana flew to the king like a swooping
bird of prey. Day after day, he came like this to initiate the king in the
Eight Precepts. The World-Honored One also sent the Venerable
Purnamaitrayaniputra, who delivered Dharma discourses and Sutras to the
king. Three weeks passed in this fashion. Because the king was able to eat
the flour-paste and honey and to hear the Dharma teachings, his
countenance became peaceful and calm.
At that time, Ajatasatru questioned the guard at the
entrance: "Is my father, the king, still alive?" The guard replied, "Your
Majesty, the queen daily anoints her body with flour-paste and fills her
ornaments with grape juice. And the monks Maudgalyayana and
Purnamaitrayaniputra swoop down from the sky and deliver Dharma discourses
to the king. It is impossible to stop them."
Hearing this, Ajatasatru became enraged with his mother
and said, "My own mother is a criminal and with criminals does she
associate! Those evil monks, with their tricks, illusions and magical
incantations, have caused this evil king to have escaped death for many
days." With this, he seized a sharp sword intending to kill his
mother.
At that time, there was a wise and intelligent minister
whose name was Moonlight. Along with the physician Jivaka, he bowed to the
king and said, "Your Majesty, we have heard it said in the Vedic
discourses that from the beginning of this aeon to the present there have
been some 18,000 evil kings who have killed their own fathers because they
desired the throne; yet never have we heard of anyone who committed the
outrageous crime of killing his mother. Your majesty, if you commit such a
vicious murder, you will bring disgrace upon the Noble Caste. As your
ministers, we cannot even bear to hear of it, for this indeed is the act
of an outcaste. We cannot stay here any longer." Having spoken these
words, the two ministers began to withdraw, each with his hand grasping on
his sword.
Ajatasatru, astounded and fearful, called out to Jivaka
and said, "Are you going to desert me?" Jivaka replied, "Great King,
please restrain yourself; do not harm your mother." Hearing this, the king
repented and begged their forgiveness. Thereupon he immediately put away
his sword and gave up all thought of killing his mother. Instead he
ordered that she be detained in her quarters and kept in the palace so
that she could not leave again.
Having thus been detained, Vaidehi was stricken with
sorrow and grief. Facing faraway Vulture Peak, she prostrated herself
towards the Buddha and said, "O Tathagata, World-Honored One, in former
times you never failed to send Ananda to come and comfort me. Now I am
greatly distressed and have no way to look upon World-Honored One’s
majesty. I pray, send the Venerable Maudgalyayana and the Venerable Ananda
to come and meet with me." Having said this, she wept sorrowful tears that
fell like rain as she bowed to the Buddha.
But even before she raised her head, the World-Honored
one, who was then staying on Vulture Peak and knew the thoughts in
Vaidehi’s mind, ordered Great Maudgalyayana and Ananda to go to her
through the sky. The Buddha also disappeared from Vulture Peak and
reappeared in the inner chamber of the royal palace.
When Vaidehi finished her prayer and raised her head, she
saw the World-Honored One, the Buddha Shakyamuni. His body was the color
of purple-gold and he was seated on a hundred-jeweled lotus flower,
attended by Maudgalyayana on his left side and Ananda on his right. Indra
and Brahma, along with the other heavenly beings guarding the world,
hovered in the sky about him; scattering heavenly blossoms like rain, they
paid homage to the Buddha.
When Vaidehi saw the Buddha, the World-Honored One, she
tore off her ornaments, rose and prostrated herself on the ground. Weeping
bitterly, she faced the Buddha and said, "O World-Honored One, what evil
karma did I commit in a previous life that should cause the birth
of such an evil son? World-Honored One, what were the causes and
conditions of his association with Devadatta and his kind? My only wish is
for the World-Honored One to reveal to me a place where I might be reborn
that is without distress, for unhappy is this impure world in this evil
kasaya era. This defiled and evil place is full of hell-beings,
hungry spirits and beasts, and there is an accumulation of much evil. I
pray that in the future I may hear no evil worlds and may see no evil
beings. Now, World-Honored One, prostrating before you, I ask for your
compassion. My only wish is for you to teach me to visualize a place where
one can be born by performing pure and undefiled acts."
At that time, the World-Honored One emitted a golden
light from between his eyebrows. It illuminated all the countless worlds
of the Ten Directions, and upon returning rested atop the Buddha’s head,
forming a golden tower resembling Mount Sumeru. Upon the tower were
revealed the pure and wondrous worlds of all the Buddhas of the Ten
Directions. Some of these lands were made of the seven kinds of jewels,
others consisted entirely of lotus flowers; some resembled the heavenly
palace of Isvara, and others were like crystal mirrors in which all the
lands of the Ten Directions were reflected. These countless lands of the
Buddhas could be seen by Vaidehi in all their majesty.
Then Vaidehi said to the Buddha, "O World-Honored One,
all these Buddha Lands are pure, free of defilement and brilliant, but I
would prefer to be born in the Realm of Ultimate Bliss where the Buddha
Amitayus resides. My only wish is that you instruct me in how to
concentrate my thoughts and attain samadhi."
At that time, the World-Honored One gently smiled, and
from the Buddha’s mouth emerged five-colored rays of light, each ray
illuminating the top of King Bimbisara’s head. Although the great king was
in his cell and despite the obstacle of distance, his mind’s eye remained
unhindered, and he saw the World-Honored One. Touching his forehead to the
ground in homage, he spontaneously advanced to the Stage of a
Non-Returner.
At that time, the World-Honored One said to Vaidehi, "Do
you not know now that the Buddha Amitayus is not far from here? You should
concentrate your thoughts upon and visualize that Buddha-land which is the
result of pure actions. I shall now give you detailed instructions so that
you and future generations who desire to practice the pure actions may
attain birth in the Western Realm of Ultimate Bliss."
"Those who desire to be born in that land must perform
the three meritorious acts: first, they should attend dutifully to their
parents, honor the work of teachers and elders, with a compassionate mind
refrain from killing, and cultivate the ten virtuous acts; second, they
should receive and uphold the Three Refuges, keep the various precepts,
and refrain from breaking the rules of conduct; third, they should awaken
the mind that aspires for Enlightenment, believe deeply in the principle
of cause and effect, read and recite the Mahayana teachings, and encourage
those who practice the way. These three acts are called the undefiled
acts."
The Buddha further said to Vaidehi: "You should know that
these three kinds of virtuous deeds are none other than the true cause for
the Enlightenment of all the Buddhas of the past, present and future."
The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, "Listen closely
and think well upon this! I, the Tathagata, will now expound the pure and
undefiled acts for the benefit of the future generations of all sentient
beings who are affected by the enemy – blind passions. Excellent is this
Vaidehi, who has done well to ask about this! Ananda, you should receive
and keep the Buddha’s words and proclaim them widely for the benefit of
the multitudes of beings.
"I, the Tathagata, will now instruct you, Vaidehi and all
the sentient beings of future generations in the visualization of the
Western Realm of Ultimate Bliss. By the power of the Buddha, they will see
that Pure Land as though seeing their own images in a bright mirror. When
they see that land of ultimate and wondrous joy, they will rejoice and
immediately acquire the insight into the non-origination of all
existence."
The Buddha said to Vaidehi, "You are but an ordinary
person whose mental capacities are weak and feeble. As you have yet to
attain the divine eye, you are unable to see very far. But the Buddhas,
the Tathagatas, have special means to allow you to see that far."
Then Vaidehi said to the Buddha, "World-Honored One,
because of the Buddha’s transcendent power, I may be able to see that
land. But how will sentient beings who come after the Buddha’s death be
able to see Buddha Amitayus’ Realm of Ultimate Bliss when they are
constrained by defilements, unwholesomeness and the five afflictions?"
II. FIRST VISUALIZATION: THE
SETTING SUN
The Buddha said to Vaidehi, "You and all sentient beings
should single-mindedly concentrate your thoughts with one-pointed
attention, on the Western Quarter. How is this to be done? All the
multitudes of sentient beings who are not born blind and have the sense of
sight have seen the setting sun. Focusing your attention and sitting in
the proper posture, you should face the west. Contemplatively examine the
sun, with your mind firmly fixed upon it. Firmly concentrate upon the
setting sun and do not let your sight wander from it. It should appear
like a (red) drum suspended above the horizon. Once the sun is visualized
in this way, then whether the eyes are shut or open, it can be clearly
seen. This is the image of the sun and is called the First
Visualization."
III. SECOND VISUALIZATION:
WATER
The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, "When the First
Visualization has been completed, next form the perception of water.
Envision the Western Quarter as being completely filled with water, and
picture the water as clean and pure. Seeing water that is clear leads to
clear sight and then there is no scattering of the mind. Once this water
has been visualized, envision it as turning into ice. Having visualized
the ice as brilliant and transparent to its depth, see it as turning into
lapis lazuli.
"When this vision is completed, next imagine that this
ground of lapis lazuli shines brilliantly, both inside and out, and that
the lapis lazuli ground is supported from below by majestic
golden-bannered pillars made of adamant and the seven precious jewels.
Each golden-bannered pillar has eight corners and eight sides, each side
is made of a hundred jewels, each jewel shines with a thousand rays of
light, and each ray of light has eighty-four thousand colors. As they are
reflected on the lapis lazuli ground, they look like thousands of millions
of suns, so dazzling that it is impossible to see them all in detail.
"On the surface of this lapis lazuli ground, golden paths
intricately mesh and crisscross like a net of cords, and the seven kinds
of precious jewels form borders that demarcate the intersected parts of
the ground. Each jewel emits a flood of light in five hundred colors. The
light appears in the shape of a flower, or a star or the moon; suspended
in the sky, these rays form a tower of light on which there are ten
million pavilions made of a hundred jewels. Both sides of the tower are
adorned with a billion flower-banners and countless musical instruments.
Pure breezes of the eight pleasing qualities are produced by these rays of
light, causing the musical instruments to play in voices which proclaim
the truths of ‘suffering, emptiness, impermanence and non-self.’ This is
the visualization of water and is called the Second Visualization. To do
this visualization is called the right visualization; to do another is
called an incorrect visualization."
IV. THIRD VISUALIZATION: THE
GROUND
The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, "When the
visualization of the water has been achieved, each image should be clearly
seen whether the eyes are shut or open, and should be constantly kept in
your mind except when sleeping. Accordingly, these images are called the
general perception of the ground of the Realm of Ultimate Bliss. If you
succeed in realizing the state of samadhi, seeing the ground of
that land so clearly and distinctly that it cannot be adequately
described, then it is the perception of the ground which is called the
Third Visualization."
The Buddha said to Ananda, "You are the keeper of the
Buddha’s discourses for future generations and for the benefit of the
multitudes of beings who wish to be liberated from suffering. For them I
proclaim the Dharma of visualizing the ground. If they can visualize the
ground, the evil karma binding them to birth-and-death for eight hundred
million aeons is eliminated, and when they take leave of this life, they
will assuredly be born into the Pure Land with a heart that is free of
doubt. To do this visualization is called the right visualization; to do
another is called a wrong visualization."
V. FOURTH VISUALIZATION:
THE JEWELED TREES
The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, "When the
visualization of the ground has been completed, the next visualization is
of the jeweled trees. In visualizing the jeweled trees, one should see
them one by one and form an image of seven pathways that are lined with
these trees. Each tree is eight thousand yojanas high, and is
adorned with blossoms and leaves made of the seven kinds of jewels. Each
blossom and leaf is the color of a different jewel. From the lapis
lazuli-colored blossoms is emitted a golden light; from the rock
crystal-colored is emitted a crimson light; from the emerald-colored is
emitted a sapphire light; and from the sapphire-colored is emitted a
pearl-green ray of light. In addition, coral, amber and all the other
myriad jewels serve as dazzling ornaments.
"Exquisite nets of pearls completely cover the trees, and
each tree is veiled by seven layers of nets. Between each of the nets
there are five billion exquisite flower palaces that resemble the palace
of Lord Brahma, and within each of them reside celestial children. Each of
these children wears ornaments made of five billion noble wish-fulfilling
jewels. The light from these mani jewels shines brightly for a
radius of a hundred yojanas in all directions, not unlike a
constellation of a billion suns and moons, but no words can fully describe
the brilliance of this light. The intermingling of the light from these
various jewels produces a color unexcelled among all colors.
"The rows of these jeweled-tree paths are evenly
arranged, and their foliage is equally spaced. From among the leaves
appear exquisite blossoms, and upon these flowers, fruits made of the
seven kinds of jewels spontaneously appear. Each blossom is twenty-five
yojanas in diameter, and their petals shine with a thousand colors
and have a hundred different patterns so that altogether, the leaves are
like heavenly ornaments. This array of exquisite blossoms is the color of
the golden sands of the Jambu River and resembles revolving wheels of fire
gently turning among the leaves; and from these flowers, fruits well up as
if from Sakra’s vase.
"These fruits issue forth great floods of light that form
banners, flags and countless canopies adorned with jewels. Within these
jeweled canopies, all the deeds of the Buddhas of the
three-thousand-great-thousand worlds are illuminated, and the Buddha-Lands
of the Ten Directions also appear within.
"When you have seen the trees in this way, visualize each
detail in order: perceive the trunks, the branches, the leaves, the
blossoms and the fruits, and let your vision of all of them be clear and
district. This is the visualization of the trees and is called the Fourth
Visualization. To do this visualization is called the right visualization;
to do another is called an incorrect visualization."
VI. FIFTH VISUALIZATION:
THE BODIES OF WATER
The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, "When the
visualization of the trees has been completed, next perceive the bodies of
water. The Land of Utmost Bliss has eight bodies of water; the waters of
each one of these lakes are made of the seven treasures and are begotten
from a wish-fulfilling pearl. The water of each lake flows into fourteen
streams, each of which is made of the seven treasures and is wondrous in
color. The banks of each channel are golden in color, and the bed is
strewn with the sand of variegated diamonds.
"In the midst of each lake there are six hundred million
seven-treasured lotus flowers. Each lotus flower is perfectly round and is
twelve yojanas in diameter. The pearly water flows among the
flowers and courses back and forth amidst the trees. The delicate and
exquisite sounds of the flowing waters proclaim the teachings of
suffering, emptiness, impermanence, non-self and the Paramitas.
They also praise the physical characteristics and marks of the
Buddhas.
"From the wish-fulfilling pearl, delicate and exquisite
golden rays of light issue forth and become singing birds as colorful as a
hundred jewels; and their harmonious and sweet songs continually praise
the mindfulness of the Buddha, the mindfulness of the Dharma and the
mindfulness of the Sangha. This is the visualization of the eight lakes of
excellent qualities and it is called the Fifth Visualization. To do this
visualization is called the right visualization; to do another is called
an incorrect visualization."
VII. SIXTH
VISUALIZATION: THE TREES, GROUND AND LAKES
The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, "In every region
of that land of myriad treasures there are five billion treasure palaces
adorned with jewels, and in those palaces there are countless heavenly
beings playing heavenly music. Like heavenly jeweled banners, musical
instruments are suspended in the sky, producing myriad sounds that
proclaim the mindfulness of the Buddha, the mindfulness of the Dharma and
the mindfulness of the Sangha.
"When this visualization has been completed, it is called
the general perception of the jeweled trees, the jeweled ground and the
jeweled lakes in the Realm of Ultimate Bliss. This is the unified
visualization of these images which is called the Sixth Visualization. For
those who see this, the heavy and evil karma binding them to
birth-and-death for measureless tens of millions of aeons is eliminated,
and when they take leave of this life, they will assuredly be born in that
land. To do this visualization is called the right visualization; to do
another is called an incorrect visualization."
VIII. THE LOTUS SEAT
The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, "Listen closely!
Listen closely! Consider my words carefully. I shall now analyze and
expound for you the Dharma by which you may free yourselves from
sufferings and afflictions; keep it in your minds, and explain it widely
for the benefits of the multitudes of beings."
After Shakyamuni Buddha had spoken these words, the
Buddha of Immeasurable Life Span appeared in the sky with the two great
beings, Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta standing in attendance to the
left and right. They shone with such a radiant and brilliant light that it
was impossible to see them in detail. The golden hue of the sands of a
hundred thousand Jambu rivers could not compare to it.
Once Vaidehi saw the Buddha of Immeasurable Life Span,
she fell to her knees at the feet of Shakyamuni Buddha saying, "O
World-Honored One, it is by your transcendental power that I am now able
to see the Buddha of Immeasurable Life Span and the two Bodhisattvas; but
how can sentient beings in the future visualize the Buddha of Immeasurable
Life Span and the two Bodhisattvas?"
The Buddha said to Vaidehi, "Those who wish to visualize
that Buddha should concentrate their thoughts and form the visualization
of a lotus flower on the seven-jeweled ground; each petal of that lotus
flower has the color of hundreds of jewels and eighty-four thousand veins
that are like heavenly patterns; each vein has eighty-four thousand rays
of light so clear and distinct that one can see all of them. Even the
smallest petals are two hundred and fifty yojanas in diameter. Each
lotus flower has eighty-four thousand such petals, and between each petal
are a billion mani-pearls, the king of jewels, serving as dazzling
ornaments. Each of these mani-pearls sends forth a thousand rays of
light which, like canopies made of the seven kinds of jewels, cover the
entire land.
"There is a pedestal made of sakrabhilagna-mani
jewels, and this lotus flower pedestal is studded and adorned with eighty
thousand diamonds, rubies and wondrous nets made of brahma
mani-pearls. Four columns with jeweled banners spontaneously arise
from this pedestal, each jeweled banner as large as a hundred trillion
Mount Sumerus.
"Atop these bannered columns is a jeweled canopy like
that of the palace of the Yama Heaven, and this canopy shines with five
billion rare and exquisite jewels that serve as dazzling ornaments. Each
of these precious jewels emits eighty-four thousand rays of light, and
each ray of light creates eighty-four thousand different shades of gold.
Each golden ray of light illuminates the entire jeweled ground and
transforms itself everywhere into various forms: some become diamond
pedestals, some form nets of pearls, and others create clouds of various
kinds of flowers. In all the Ten Directions, they transform themselves
according to one’s wishes, performing the works of the Buddhas. This is
the visualization of the lotus seat and is called the Seventh
Visualization."
The Buddha further said to Ananda and Vaidehi, "These
exquisite flowers were originally created by the power of the Bodhisattva
Dharmakara’s vows. Those who wish to be mindful of the Buddha of
Immeasurable Life should first visualize the image of the Lotus Seat. When
visualizing this image they should not stray into other visualizations,
but should perceive each detail one by one. Each petal, each jewel, each
ray of light, each pedestal and each bannered column should be as clear
and distinct as when seeing the reflection of one’s own face in a mirror.
For those who have completed this visualization, the evil karma binding
them to birth-and-death for fifty thousand aeons is eliminated, and they
assuredly will be born in the Realm of Ultimate Bliss. Performing this
visualization is called the right visualization; if one performs another
visualization, that is called an incorrect visualization."
IX. EIGHTH VISUALIZATION:
THE THREE SAGES
The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, "When you have
seen these things, next you should visualize the Buddha of Immeasurable
Life Span. And why is that? Because each Buddha-Tathagata, as the
body of the Dharmadhatu, pervades the mind of all sentient beings.
This is why when your mind perceives the Buddha, it is your mind that
possesses the thirty-two prominent features and the eighty secondary
attributes. This mind that creates the Buddha is the mind that is the
Buddha, and the wisdom of the Buddhas – true, universal and ocean-like –
arises from this mind. This is why you should single-mindedly fix your
thoughts and contemplatively examine that Buddha, that Tathagata, that
Arhat, that Supremely Awakened One.
"To perceive the Buddha of Immeasurable Life, you must
first imagine Amitayus’ form, and whether your eyes are open or closed,
you should see this precious form – the color of the golden sands of the
Jambu river – seated upon that flower-throne. Once that Buddha’s figure is
seen sitting there, your minds eye will be opened, and you will clearly
see the Land of Ultimate Bliss adorned with the seven kinds of jewels; you
will see the jeweled ground, the jeweled lakes and the paths lined with
jeweled trees; you will see the heavenly jeweled canopies completely
covering the trees and the jeweled nets completely filling the sky; you
will see these things as clearly and distinctly as you might see the palm
of your hand.
"Once this has been seen, you should again from the
visualization of a large lotus flower and place it on the Buddha’s left.
This lotus flower should be exactly like the one described before. Then
form the visualization of another large lotus flower and place it on the
Buddha’s right. Next visualize an image of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara
seated on the left flower throne, sending forth golden rays of light
exactly as described before. Then visualize an image of Bodhisattva
Mahasthamaprapta seated on the right flower throne.
"When this visualization has been completed, the figures
of the Buddha and the two Bodhisattvas all send forth exquisite rays of
light, and these golden rays illuminate the jeweled trees. At the food of
each of the trees there are also three lotus flowers, and atop these lotus
flowers sit the figures of the Buddha and the two Bodhisattvas so that the
land is completely filled with such images.
"When this visualization has been completed, you, the
practitioner, will hear the flowing waters, the rays of light, the jeweled
trees, the ducks, geese and so forth which proclaim the exquisite Dharma
teachings; and whether you are in meditation or not, you will always hear
these exquisite teachings. Even after you rise from meditation, keep in
mind and do not forget what you have heard, then confirm it with the
Sutras. If it does not agree with the Sutras, it is called an illusory
perception, but if it does accord, it is called the attainment of the
general perception of the Land of Ultimate Bliss. This is the perception
of the Three Sages which is called the Eighth Visualization. Those who
perform this visualization eliminate the evil karma of an immeasurable
number of aeons of births and deaths, and in this very life attain the
Buddha-Remembrance Samadhi. Performing this visualization is called
the right visualization; if one performs another visualization, that is
called an incorrect visualization."
X. NINTH VISUALIZATION:
THE BODY OF THE
BUDDHA OF IMMEASURABLE LIFE SPAN
The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, "When this
visualization has been completed, next one should further visualize the
physical features and the light of the Buddha of Immeasurable Life Span.
Ananda, it should be known that the Body of the Buddha of Immeasurable
Life Span is as bright as the sands of a trillion Jambu rivers in the Yama
Heavens. That Buddha’s body is as tall as the number of yojanas equaling
that of the sands of six sextillions of Ganges Rivers.
"Between that Buddha’s eyebrows there is a tuft of white
hair that curls gently to the right and is the size of five Mount Sumerus.
The Buddha’s eyes are pure like the waters of the four great oceans; the
blue irises and the whites are clear and distinct; the pores of the
Buddha’s body emit rays of light that are the size of Mount Sumeru.
"The circle of light around that Buddha’s head
illuminates an area as large as a billion three-thousand-great-thousand
worlds. Within that all-encompassing light there are miraculously created
Buddhas whose number is as countless as the sands of ten sextillions of
Ganges Rivers. Each of these miraculously created Buddhas is attended by a
great assembly of countless miraculously created Bodhisattvas.
"The Buddha of Immeasurable Life Span has eighty-four
thousand physical characteristics; and in each of those features there are
eighty-four thousand secondary marks of excellence Each of those marks
sends forth eighty-four thousand rays of light; each ray of light shines
universally upon the worlds of the Ten Directions; and those sentient
beings who are mindful of the Buddha are embraced by that light, never to
be abandoned.
"No words can adequately describe the lights, the
physical characteristics, the secondary marks and the miraculously created
Buddhas. But by concentrating your thoughts on these things, you can see
them with your mind’s eye. To see these things is to see all the Buddhas
of the Ten Directions. Because you see these Buddhas, it is called the
Buddha-Remembrance Samadhi.
"To perform this visualization is to visualize the body
of all the Buddhas. Because you perceive the bodies of the Buddhas, you
also realize the mind of the Buddhas. The mind of the Buddhas is the mind
of Great Compassion, and with this unconditioned compassion, all sentient
beings are embraced. One who performs this visualization, upon taking
leave of this life, will be born in the presence of the Buddhas and will
acquire the insight into the non-origination of all existence. For this
reason, those who realize the effectiveness of forming this perception
should concentrate their thoughts and clearly perceive the Buddha of
Immeasurable Life Span.
"In order to perceive the Buddha of Immeasurable Life
Span, begin with one of the physical features. Visualize only the tuft of
white hair between the eyebrows until it becomes very clear and distinct.
Once you have visualized it, the eighty-four thousand physical
characteristics and marks will appear of their own accord. Once you have
seen the Buddha of Immeasurable Life Span, you see at once the infinite
Buddhas of the Ten Directions. Because you are able to see the countless
Buddhas, you will receive from each the prediction of your future
Buddhahood. This is the comprehensive perception of all the physical
features of the Buddha, and is called the Ninth Visualization. Performing
this visualization is called the right visualization. If one performs
other visualizations, that is called an incorrect visualization."
XI. TENTH VISUALIZATION:
BODHISATTVA AVALOKITESVARA
The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, "When you have
clearly and distinctly seen the Buddha of Immeasurable Life Span, next
visualize Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. This Bodhisattva’s body is eighty
sextillions of yojanas tall and is purple-gold in color. On the top
of the head is a mound of flesh surrounded by a halo of light which shines
from behind the neck. Both the halo and the Bodhisattva’s face are one
hundred thousand yojanas in diameter.
"Within this halo of light there are five hundred
miraculously created Buddhas that resemble Shakyamuni Buddha, and each
miraculously created Buddha is attended by five hundred miraculously
created Bodhisattvas and countless numbers of heavenly beings. Within the
light emanating from this Bodhisattva’s body, sentient beings of the five
realms of birth-and-death appear in all their various forms. Atop the
Bodhisattva’s head is a heavenly crown made of sakrabhilanga-mani
pearls, and within this heavenly crown stands a miraculously created
Buddha Amitayus, twenty-five yojanas high.
"The face of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara is the golden
color of the sands of the Jambu river. A tuft of hair between the eyebrows
possesses all the colors of the seven kinds of jewels, and streaming from
it are eighty-four thousand different rays of light. Within each of those
rays of light there are immeasurable and countless hundreds of thousands
of miraculously created Buddhas, each attended by countless miraculously
created Bodhisattvas. These Buddhas and Bodhisattvas miraculously appear
everywhere, completely filling the worlds of the Ten Quarters.
"This Bodhisattva’s arms, the color of a red lotus
flower, are adorned with ornaments made of eight hundred million exquisite
rays of light. Within these ornaments, the majestic works of the Buddha
are reflected in their entirety. The palms of the hands are the color of
five billion lotus flowers of various colors, and the tip of each of the
ten fingers shows eighty-four thousand patterns like those on an engraved
seal. Each pattern has eighty-four thousand colors, each color emits
eighty-four thousand rays of light, and each soft, delicate ray of light
illuminates all beings. With these jewel-like hands, this Bodhisattva
embraces and guides sentient beings.
"When this Bodhisattva raises a foot, the thousand-spoked
wheel that marks the sole of that foot changes of its own accord into a
pedestal which emits five billion rays of light. When the foot is lowered,
flowers made of diamonds and mani jewels are strewn about
everywhere, filling and covering everything. All other physical
characteristics and marks are exactly like those of the Buddha. The mound
of flesh upon the head and the invisibility of the uppermost part of this
mound, however, are inferior to those of the World-Honored One. This is
the visualization of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara’s true physical features
and is called the Tenth Visualization."
The Buddha said to Ananda, "Those who wish to visualize
Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara must do so with this method of visualization.
Those who perform this visualization will not encounter any misfortune;
their karmic obstructions will be purified, and the evil karma binding
them to birth-and-death for countless aeons is eliminated. Even to hear
the name of this Bodhisattva is to gain immeasurable merits; how much more
so if this Bodhisattva is clearly visualized?
"Those who wish to visualize Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara
should first visualize the mound of flesh on the head; next visualize the
heavenly crown; then visualize the remaining physical characteristics in
order. All of them should be seen as clearly and distinctly as you might
see the palm of your hand. Performing this visualization is called the
right visualization. If one performs other visualizations, that is called
an incorrect visualization."
XII. ELEVENTH VISUALIZATION:
BODHISATTVA MAHASTHAMAPRAPTA
The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, "The next
visualization is that of Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta, whose body is the
same size as that of Avalokitesvara. The halo of light and this
Bodhisattva’s face are each two hundred and twenty-five yojanas in
diameter and illuminates an area of two hundred and fifty yojanas.
The light which emanates from the body illuminates the lands of the Ten
Directions, making them shine like purple-gold, and this light can be seen
by all sentient beings who have a close karmic relationship with this
Bodhisattva.
"Even if one sees only a single ray of light emanating
from only one of the pores of this Bodhisattva, one can see at once the
countless Buddhas of the Ten Directions and their pure and wondrous light.
This is why this Bodhisattva is called ‘Boundless Light.’ And with this
light of wisdom all beings are illuminated, enabling them to be freed from
the Three Evil Paths and to attain unsurpassed powers. This is why this
Bodhisattva is called Mahasthamaprapta, ‘The One Who Has Attained Great
Power.’
"This Bodhisattva’s heavenly crown is adorned with five
hundred jeweled lotus flowers, and each one of the jeweled flowers has
five hundred jeweled pedestals. Within each pedestal, the boundless and
glorious features of the pure and exquisite lands of the Buddhas of the
Ten Directions are reflected in their entirety. The mound of flesh on this
Bodhisattva’s head is like the padma [red lotus] flower, and in
front of this mound of flesh is a jeweled vase filled with rays of light
which reflect all the works of the Buddha. The remaining bodily
characteristics are exactly like those of Avalokitesvara.
"When this Bodhisattva walks, the worlds of the Ten
Directions all tremble and quake, and on this moving ground appear five
billion jeweled flowers, each as splendid and brilliant as those in the
Realm of Ultimate Bliss. When this Bodhisattva sits down, the
seven-jeweled lands, from the Buddha-realm of Golden Light Buddha in the
lower quarter to the Land of the Light King Buddha in the upper quarter,
all tremble at once.
"From between those quarters, the manifested bodies of
the Buddha of Immeasurable Life together with those of Avalokitesvara and
Mahasthamaprapta, as countless as particles of dust, all assemble like
clouds in the Land of Ultimate Bliss, filling the entire sky. Sitting on
lotus flower thrones, they proclaim the exquisite Dharma that liberates
sentient beings from suffering.
"This visualization is the visualization of Bodhisattva
Mahasthamaprapta; it is also known as the visualization of the physical
features of Mahasthamaprapta, which is called the Eleventh Visualization.
For those who visualize this Bodhisattva, the evil karma binding them to
infinite aeons of birth-and-death is eliminated, and those who perform
this visualization will no longer be subject to birth from the womb, but
will roam freely throughout the pure and exquisite lands of the Buddhas.
When this visualization has been completed, it is called the complete
visualization of Mahasthamaprapta. Performing this visualization is called
the right visualization. If one performs other visualizations, that is
called an incorrect visualization."
XIII. TWELFTH VISUALIZATION:
THE BUDDHA OF
INFINITE LIFE SPAN’S WORLD OF SUKHAVATI
The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, "When these
visualizations are completed, they are called the complete perfection of
the visualization of Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta. When you have
seen these things, visualize yourself as being born in the Western Realm
of Ultimate Bliss, sitting cross-legged inside a lotus flower. Visualize
the lotus flower as being closed. When the lotus flower opens, rays of
five hundred colors shine down and illuminate your body.
"Then your eyes are open and you see the Buddhas and
Bodhisattvas filling the skies and hear the sounds of waters and trees,
the notes of birds, and the voices of the Buddhas all proclaiming the
exquisite Dharma in accordance with the twelve divisions of the Sutras.
Even after you rise from meditation, keep in mind and do not forget all
that you have seen and heard.
"Seeing these things is called the vision of the Buddha
of Immeasurable Life and the Realm of Ultimate Bliss. This is the
comprehensive visualization of its imagery and is called the Twelfth
Visualization. The countless miraculously created bodies of the Buddha of
Immeasurable Life together with those of Avalokitesvara and
Mahasthamaprapta will always appear before those who contemplate thus.
Performing this visualization is called the right visualization. If one
performs other visualizations, that is called an incorrect
visualization."
XIV. THE THREE SAGES OF THE
REALM OF ULTIMATE BLISS
The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, "If you wish with
a sincere mind to be born in the Western Quarter, you should first
visualize a sixteen-foot image of the Buddha standing on the surface of a
lake. As I previously explained, the physical measurements of the Buddha
of Immeasurable Life are boundless and are beyond the grasp of ordinary
minds. But because of the power of that Tathagata’s vows fulfilled in a
previous life, those who keep the Buddha in mind will, without fail, be
able to perceive this body. Simply visualizing the Buddha’s image brings
one immeasurable merits; how much more so if one visualizes all the
perfect physical characteristics of that Buddha?
"This Buddha Amitayus, able to utilize transcendent
spiritual powers at any time, can freely manifest various forms throughout
the lands of the Ten Directions, here appearing as a great body that fills
the sky, there appearing as a small body only sixteen or eighteen feet
tall. The color of these manifested figures is that of pure gold, and the
miraculously created Buddhas and the jeweled lotus flowers in the
surrounding circle of light are the same as I described before.
"The physical features of the Bodhisattvas Avalokitesvara
and Mahasthamaprapta are the same in all respects, and sentient beings who
simply visualize the features on their heads can distinguish between
Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta. These two Bodhisattvas assist Buddha
Amitayus in the work of universal liberation. This is the composite
visualization which is called the Thirteenth Visualization. Performing
this visualization is called the right visualization. If one performs
other visualizations, that is called an incorrect visualization."
XV. FOURTEENTH VISUALIZATION:
THE SUPERIOR GRADE OF
REBIRTH
The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, "In all, there are
nine levels of sentient beings who are reborn in the Western Quarter. The
sentient beings in the highest level of the highest grade of rebirth are
those who vow to be reborn there. By awakening the three kinds of mind
they are reborn there. What are the three? The first is the most sincere
mind, the second is the mind of deep faith, and the third is the mind
which aspires for rebirth by transferring merit. Those who possess those
three minds will be reborn in that land without fail.
"There are three other kinds of beings who will be reborn
there. What are the three? First are the compassionate ones who refrain
from killing and observe the precepts; second are those who read and
recite the Mahayana Vaipulya Sutras; and third are those who cultivate the
six kinds of mindfulness. Transferring the merit for rebirth, they vow to
be reborn in that land. By accomplishing these virtuous acts for a period
of from one to seven days, they immediately attain rebirth.
"When an aspirant is about to be reborn in that land, a
result of unconquerable resolve, the Tathagata Amitayus appears along with
Avalokitesvara, Mahasthamaprapta, countless transformation Buddhas, a
great assembly of a hundred thousand bhiksus and sravakas,
and countless heavenly beings in their seven-jeweled palaces.
"Holding a diamond pedestal, Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara
approaches the aspirant along with Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta. The
Buddha Amitayus sends forth a great light that illuminates the aspirant’s
body, and along with the Bodhisattvas, offers welcoming hands.
Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta, along with countless other
Bodhisattvas, then encourage the aspirant’s mind by offering praise. Upon
seeing this the aspirant dances with joy, is self-seen seated atop the
diamond pedestal, and, following after the Buddha, is reborn into that
land as quickly as the snap of a finger.
"Once reborn in that land, the aspirants see the Buddha’s
body and the perfection of the Buddha’s myriad characteristics. The
perfection of the Bodhisattvas’ physical characteristics is also seen. The
light of the jeweled forests widely proclaim the wondrous Dharma, and
having heard it, the aspirants will instantly awaken the insight into the
non-origination of all existence.
"Then, in an instant, the aspirants will visit and
venerate all the Buddhas of the Ten Quarters, and in the presence of each
Buddha receive a prediction of their future Buddhahood. Upon returning to
the land from whence they came, they attain countless hundreds of
thousands of Dharma-gates of dharanis. These are called the
sentient beings in the highest level of the highest grade of rebirth.
"The sentient beings reborn in the middle level of the
highest grade of rebirth do not necessarily uphold and recite the Vaipulya
Sutras, but fully understand their meaning. Upon hearing the highest
truth, their minds are not perplexed or shaken, and deeply believing in
the principle of cause and effect, they do not slander the Mahayana.
Transferring the merit of their virtuous acts, they vow to be reborn in
the Realm of Ultimate Bliss.
"Those who perform these practices will, when their life
is about to end, be met by Buddha Amitayus together with Avalokitesvara
and Mahasthamaprapta; surrounded by a measureless, great host of
attendant-followers, they hold a pedestal of purple-gold. The Buddha
praises each aspirant, saying, ‘Dharma disciple, you have practiced the
Mahayana and have realized the highest truth. For this reason we have now
come to welcome you.’ With this, Buddha Amitayus and the thousands of
miraculously created Buddhas offer their hands all at once.
"The practitioners see themselves seated on a pedestal of
purple-gold, and with palms pressed together, praise the Buddhas. In the
space of a single thought, they are reborn in that land in a
seven-treasure lake. The pedestal of purple-gold is like a great jeweled
flower, and after one night passes, the flower opens. Each practitioner’s
body becomes the color of purple-gold, and under their feet there are
lotus flowers made of the seven treasures. The Buddha and the Bodhisattvas
all send forth rays of light to illuminate each practitioner’s body,
causing their eyes to open, clear and wide. Because of the store of merit
from their previous lives, they hear a variety of voices exclusively
proclaiming the most profound, supreme truth. Descending from the golden
pedestal, and with palms pressed together, they bow to and praise the
Buddha, the World-Honored One.
"After seven days pass, each aspirant attains the Stage
of Non-Retrogression on the path toward the Highest Perfect Enlightenment.
Each aspirant acquires the ability to fly off at will to revere the
Buddhas of the Ten Directions and to cultivate various samadhis
from them. After one small aeon passes, each aspirant attains
the insight into the non-origination of all existence, and in the presence
of each Buddha, receive a prediction of their future attainment. These are
called the sentient beings in the middle level of the highest grade of
rebirth.
"Those sentient beings reborn in the lowest level of the
highest grade of rebirth also believe in the principle of cause and
effect, do not slander the Mahayana, and awaken the mind which aspires to
the highest perfect enlightenment. Transferring the merit of their
virtuous acts, they vow to be reborn in the Realm of Ultimate Bliss.
"When the lives of such aspirants are about to end, these
beings are met by Buddha Amitayus together with Avalokitesvara and
Mahasthamaprapta and their great host of attendant-followers carrying
golden lotus flowers which manifest five hundred transformed Buddhas to
welcome them. These five hundred transformed Buddhas extend their hands to
each person, saying, ‘Dharma disciple, your mind is pure and you have
awakened the mind which aspires to the highest perfect enlightenment, and
so we have come to welcome you.’
"Having seen these things, each aspirant is self-seen
seated on a golden lotus flower which then closes, and, following the
World-Honored One, each aspirant is immediately reborn on a seven-jeweled
lake.
"After one day and one night, the lotus flower opens,
then within seven days, the aspirant beholds the Buddha. Although the body
of the Buddha is seen, not all the physical characteristics and marks are
clear in the aspirant’s mind. But after three weeks, they are seen clearly
and distinctly, and a variety of voices all widely proclaiming the
wondrous Dharma are heard. The aspirant then travels to each of the Ten
Quarters to make offerings to all the Buddhas, and to hear their most
profound Dharma teachings.
"After three small aeons pass, the aspirant attains the
hundred wisdom gates of the Dharma and abides in the Stage of Joy. These
are called the sentient beings in the lowest level of the highest grade of
rebirth. Performing this visualization is called the right visualization.
If one performs other visualizations, that is called an incorrect
visualization."
XVI. FIFTEENTH
VISUALIZATION: THE MIDDLE GRADE OF REBIRTH
The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, "The sentient
beings reborn in the highest level of the middle grade of rebirth are
those who have upheld the five precepts, observed the eight abstinences,
have cultivated the practice of the precepts, have not committed the five
grave offenses and are free from various other faults. Transferring the
merits of these roots of virtue for rebirth, they aspire to be reborn in
the Realm of Ultimate Bliss in the Western Quarter.
"When their lives are about to end, these beings will be
met by Buddha Amitayus, who, surrounded by a host of bhiksus and
attendant-followers, sends forth golden rays of light. Coming to each
person, they proclaim the teachings of suffering, emptiness, impermanence
and non-self, praising the renunciation of the world which enables one to
be freed from suffering. After seeing this, each aspirant’s heart is
filled with great joy, and each is then self-seen sitting on a lotus
flower pedestal. Dropping to their knees, the aspirants press their palms
together, bowing to the Buddha in homage; and even before their heads are
raised, rebirth in the Realm of Ultimate Bliss is attained.
"Immediately, the lotus flower opens, and when the flower
unfolds, each aspirant hears a variety of sounds and voices praising the
Four Truths. Instantly the aspirant attains the stage of an Arhat,
acquires the three kinds of transcendent knowledge and the six
supernatural powers, and realizes the eight samadhis of liberation.
These are called the sentient beings in the highest level of the middle
grade of rebirth.
"The sentient beings reborn in the middle level of the
middle grade of rebirth are those who, for at least one day and one night
observe the eight abstinences; or for one day and one night observe the
shramanera [novice] precepts; or for one day and one night observe
the complete set of precepts for monks, their majestic deportment lacking
nothing. Transferring the merit of these virtuous acts for rebirth, they
aspire to be reborn in the Realm of Ultimate Bliss.
"Permeated with the fragrance of these precepts, such an
aspirant, when life is about to end, sees the Buddha Amitayus and the host
of attendant-followers approaching. Sending forth golden rays of light,
the Buddha comes before this practitioner carrying a seven-jeweled lotus
flower. The aspirant then hears a voice from the sky saying, ‘Child of a
good family, as you are a virtuous person who has followed the teachings
of the Buddhas of past, present and future, I have come to welcome you.’
The aspirant is then self-seen sitting on a lotus flower which then
closes, and rebirth in a jeweled lake of the Realm of Ultimate Bliss of
the Western Quarter ensues.
"After seven days pass, the lotus flower unfolds. When
the flower is fully open, the aspirant, whose eyes are now opened, places
palms together and praises the World-Honored One. Hearing the Dharma, the
aspirant is filled with joy and attains the stage of a Stream-Winner;
then, after half an aeon, the stage of Arhat is attained. These are
called the sentient beings of the middle level of the middle grade of
rebirth.
"The sentient beings reborn in the lowest level of the
middle grade of rebirth are those good sons or good daughters who attend
dutifully to their parents and do benevolent deeds for others.
"When the lives of these people are about to end, they
encounter a virtuous and learned teacher who fully explains the bliss of
the land of the Buddha Amitayus and also expounds the Forty-eight Great
Vows of the Bhiksu Dharmakara. Having heard these things, they soon come
to the end of their lives, and in the time it takes for a vigorous person
to bend and extend an arm, the aspirants are reborn into the Realm of
Ultimate Bliss of the Western Quarter.
"Seven days after that rebirth, the practitioners meet
Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta. Hearing the Dharma, they are filled
with joy and attain the stage of Stream-Winner; then, after one small aeon
passes, they attain the stage of Arhat. These are called the
sentient beings of the lowest level of the middle grade of rebirth.
Performing this visualization is called the right visualization. If one
performs other visualizations, that is called an incorrect
visualization."
XVII. SIXTEENTH
VISUALIZATION: THE LOWEST GRADE OF REBIRTH
The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, "The sentient
beings in the highest level of the lowest grade of rebirth are those who
have committed myriad evil acts. Although they do not slander the
Vaipulya sutras, these deluded beings repeatedly perform evil
deeds, yet feel no remorse.
"When their lives are about to end, they meet a virtuous
and learned teacher who praises for them the names and titles of the
Mahayana sutras of the twelve divisions. By hearing the names of these
sutras, the heavy and evil karma binding them to birth-and-death for a
thousand aeons is eliminated. This learned teacher also teaches them to
press their palms together and recite ‘Namo Buddha Amitayus.’ Because they
recite the Buddha’s name, the evil karma binding them to birth-and-death
for a hundred million aeons is eliminated.
"At that time, the Buddha sends a miraculously created
Buddha, a miraculously created Avalokitesvara and a miraculously created
Mahasthamaprapta, who appear before the aspirants and praise each of them,
saying, ‘Well done, child of a good family! Because you have recited the
Buddha’s name, your evil karma has been eliminated. We have come to
welcome you.’ After these words have been spoken, each aspirant
immediately sees the miraculously created Buddha, whose rays of light
completely fill the room. Having seen this, the aspirants are filled with
joy and their lives come to an end. Riding atop a jeweled lotus flower,
each practitioner follows behind the miraculously created Buddha and is
reborn in a jeweled lake.
"After seven weeks, the lotus flower opens. When this
flower unfolds, the greatly compassionate Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara and
Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta send forth great rays of light and, standing
before the aspirant, expound the profound sutras of the twelve divisions.
Upon hearing this, the aspirant accepts it in faith and awakens the mind
that aspires for the Highest Perfect Enlightenment. After ten small aeons
pass, the aspirant attains the hundred wisdom gates of the Dharma and
enter the first stage of a Bodhisattva.
"These are called the sentient beings in the highest
level of the lowest grade of rebirth; and being able to hear the name of
the Buddha, the name of the Dharma and the name of the Sangha – that is,
the Three Treasures – these sentient beings immediately attain
rebirth.
The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, "The sentient
beings in the middle level of the lowest grade of rebirth are those who
violate the five precepts, the eight abstinences, and the complete set of
precepts for monks. Such deluded people steal the property of the Sangha,
take the personal belongings of the monks, preach the Dharma with impure
intent, and feel no remorse. These deluded people defile themselves with
these evil deeds, and because of this will fall into hell.
"When the lives of such people about to end, and the
fires of hell simultaneously close upon them, they meet a virtuous and
learned teacher who, with great compassion, praises and explains the
majestic virtue and ten powers of the Buddha Amitayus, praises fully the
transcendental powers of that Buddha’s light, and further praises the
virtues of that Buddha who accomplished the precepts, the meditation, the
wisdom, the liberation and the awareness of that liberation. When these
people have heard these things, the evil karma binding them to
birth-and-death for eight hundred million aeons is eliminated. Hell’s
fierce flames are then transformed into pure, cool breezes that gently
blow upon heavenly flowers. On top of each flower is a miraculously
created Buddha and miraculously created Bodhisattvas who come to welcome
these people. And in a single moment of thought, they are each reborn
inside a lotus flower in a seven-jeweled lake.
"After six aeons pass, the lotus flowers unfold. When the
flowers open, Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta reassure them using the
Brahma voice and expound the profound Mahayana Sutras. Upon hearing this
Dharma, each person at once awakens the mind that aspires for the highest
enlightenment. These are called the sentient beings of the middle level of
the lowest grade of rebirth.
The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, "The sentient
beings in the lowest level of the lowest grade of rebirth are those who
commit such evil acts as the five grave offenses and the ten
transgressions, and are burdened with various kinds of evil. These foolish
beings, because of their evil karma, shall fall into the evil realms of
existence, and experience endless suffering for many aeons .
"When the life of such a foolish person is about to end,
this person meets a virtuous and learned teacher who provides various
kinds of comfort, expounds the exquisite Dharma, and urges mindfulness of
the Buddha. If that person is too tormented by pain to be mindful of the
Buddha, the virtuous friend says, ‘If you are unable to be mindful of the
Buddha, you should recite the name of and take refuge in the Buddha of
Immeasurable Life.’ And so, with a sincere mind and an uninterrupted
voice, this person says, ‘Namo Buddha Amitayus’ even as few as ten times,
and because this person says the Buddhas name, with every repetition, the
evil karma binding this person to birth-and-death for eight million aeons
is eliminated.
"When the lives of such people come to an end, a sun-like
golden lotus flower appears in front of them. And in the interval of a
single thought-moment, each person will immediately attain rebirth inside
a lotus flower in the Realm of Ultimate Bliss.
"After twelve great aeons the lotus flower opens. When
the flower unfolds, Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta, using the Brahma
voice, proclaim for each person the way to eliminate evil karma through
the realization of the true nature of all existence. Upon hearing this,
each person is filled with joy and, at that moment, awakens the mind that
aspires for enlightenment. These are called the sentient beings of the
lowest level of the lowest grade of rebirth. This perception of the
sentient beings in the lowest grade of rebirth is called the sixteenth
visualization."
XVIII. EPILOGUE
When the World-Honored One had spoken these words,
Vaidehi and her five hundred female attendants, having heard the Buddha’s
discourse, saw at once the breadth and extent of the Realm of Ultimate
Bliss; and being able to see the body of the Buddha of Immeasurable Life
Span and the two Bodhisattvas, joy welled up in their hearts. Marveling at
this unprecedented occurrence, Vaidehi, her clouds of doubt now cleared,
attained the great enlightenment and acquired the insight into the
non-origination of all existence. Her five hundred female attendants,
having awakened the mind that aspires to the highest perfect
enlightenment, vowed to be reborn into that land. The World-Honored One
assured all of them that they would be reborn there, and that after
rebirth they would acquire the Samadhi of Being in the Presence of All the
Buddhas Countless heavenly beings also awakened the mind that aspires for
the Highest Perfect Enlightenment.
At that time, Ananda rose from his seat, stepped forward,
and said to the Buddha, "World-Honored One, what shall this Sutra be
called? And how should the essence of this Dharma be received and
kept?"
The Buddha said to Ananda, "The name of this Sutra is the
‘Visualization of the Realm of Ultimate Bliss, the Buddha of Immeasurable
Life Span, the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara and the Bodhisattva
Mahasthamaprapta.’ It is also called, ‘Removal of Karmic Hindrances for
Attaining Rebirth in the Presence of All the Buddhas.’ You should receive
this Sutra and never forget it.
Those who practice this samadhi will be able to see,
during their lifetime, the Buddha of Immeasurable Life Span and these two
Bodhisattvas. If good sons and good daughters merely hear the name of this
Buddha and these two Bodhisattvas, the evil karma binding them to
birth-and-death for immeasurable aeons is eliminated. How much more so if
these people are mindful of the Buddha? Know that whoever is mindful of
the Buddha is a lotus flower among humans, has Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara
and Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta as excellent friends, will be seated in
the place of enlightenment and will be born into the family of the
Buddhas."
The Buddha said to Ananda, "You should carefully hold
these words in mind. To hold these words in mind is to hold in mind the
name of the Buddha of Immeasurable life Span."
When the Buddha had spoken these words, the Venerable
Maudgalyayana and the Venerable Ananda, as well as Vaidehi and the others,
heard the Buddha’s discourse and were all filled with great joy.
At that time, the World-Honored One walked through the
open sky and returned to Vulture Peak. There, Ananda fully explained the
above events for the benefit of the great assembly. The countless human
beings, heavenly beings, naga deities, yaksas and all other beings
who heard the Buddha’s discourse were all filled with great joy, paid
homage to the World-Honored Ones, and departed.
Namo Amitabha
Buddha! | 