佛說作佛形像經

At that time the Buddha went to the garden of Ghoṣila, in the country of Kauśāmbī. The king of this country was named Udayana, and he was only fourteen years old. When he heard the news that the Buddha was approaching, the king at once dispatched his ministers and his retinue to accompany the escort and go forth to welcome the Buddha.

When he beheld the Buddha from afar, his heart was filled with joy and delight. The king thereupon descended from his chariot and proceeded on foot, and he did not permit his ministers, his retinue, or the bearers carrying the parasols to attend upon him. At that moment the king hastened forward to stand before the Buddha to welcome him; then he bowed his head in homage, touching his forehead to the Buddha's feet, circumambulated the Buddha three times, knelt upon both knees, joined his palms together, and addressed the Buddha, saying:

"In the heavens above and in the human realm below, there is no one who can be compared to the Buddha. The face and body of the Buddha this day radiate a resplendent light. I gaze upon the Buddha without ever growing weary. The Buddha is now the teacher of devas and humans. The loving-kindness of the Buddha is spread far and wide to all living beings."

The Buddha remained silent and did not reply. The king again addressed the Buddha, saying:

"World-Honored One! One who does good will surely obtain merit, but where will it lead them? After the Buddha has departed, I fear that I shall no longer be able to behold the Buddha. I wish to make an image of the Buddha so as to revere and worship it. What, then, is the merit I shall obtain hereafter? I respectfully beseech the Buddha, out of compassion, to expound this for me. I wish to know this matter."

The Buddha said: "O young great king! What Your Majesty asks is excellent. Listen well to the words I shall speak. When you have heard them, bear them in your heart."

The king said:

"Yes, I will respectfully obey what the Buddha teaches."

The Buddha said to the king:

"I shall now expound for you, that you may understand clearly, the merit and virtue obtained by one who makes an image of the Buddha."

The king said:

"I give thanks to you."

The Buddha said:

"If anyone makes an image of the Buddha, then in lives to come they will have clear and bright eyes, an upright and dignified countenance, and a body, hands, and feet that are ever beautiful. Even should they be born in the heavens, their clear, bright eyes and their upright, dignified countenance will surpass those of the devas. It is by making an image of the Buddha that such merit is obtained.

If anyone makes an image of the Buddha, then in lives to come they will not be born with an ugly body; their entire body will be perfect in every part. After death, they will be born in the realm of Brahmā. Furthermore, their upright, dignified, and matchlessly beautiful bodily form will surpass that of the other heavenly multitudes, and they will be revered by the devas. It is by making an image of the Buddha that such merit is obtained.

If anyone makes an image of the Buddha, then in lives to come they will be born into a noble and eminent family; their wealth and nobility will surpass those of the people of the world. They will not be born as the child of a poor and destitute family. It is by making an image of the Buddha that such merit is obtained.

If anyone makes an image of the Buddha, then in lives to come their body will ever be of a violet-gold hue, upright and dignified beyond all compare.

If anyone makes an image of the Buddha, then in lives to come they will be born into a wealthy and noble household; their riches and precious treasures will be beyond reckoning. They will ever be cherished by their parents and siblings and honored by their kinsfolk and relations. It is by making an image of the Buddha that such merit is obtained.

If anyone makes an image of the Buddha, then in lives to come they will ever be born into the lineage of kings and sovereigns, of princes and nobles, or be born as the child of a virtuous and upright family in Jambudvīpa. It is by making an image of the Buddha that such merit is obtained.

If anyone makes an image of the Buddha, then in lives to come they will become an emperor. Among the ranks of kings and rulers, they will moreover be the most honored and revered, and they will be submitted to and venerated by all the kings of the lands. It is by making an image of the Buddha that such merit is obtained.

If anyone makes an image of the Buddha, then in lives to come they will become a Wheel-Turning King, able to ascend to the heavens and return at will; and in all that they undertake, there is nothing that does not reach its proper end. It is by making an image of the Buddha that such merit is obtained.

If anyone makes an image of the Buddha, then in lives to come they will be born in the realm of Brahmā, with a lifespan of one kalpa and a wisdom that none can equal.

If anyone makes an image of the Buddha, then after death they will never again be born into the evil destinies. They will ever know how to restrain themselves, and their heart will ever be turned toward the Way of the Buddha. It is by making an image of the Buddha that such merit is obtained.

If anyone makes an image of the Buddha, then in lives to come they will ever revere the Buddhas and honor the scriptures. They will frequently make offerings to the relics of the Buddha with silks of many colors, beautiful flowers, precious incense, the lighting of lamps, and the rare and wondrous treasures of the world. After countless kalpas, they will attain the Way of Nirvāṇa. It is by making an image of the Buddha that such merit is obtained. Those whose hearts and minds wish to present precious treasures as offerings to the Buddha are none of them ordinary people; they have surely cultivated the Way of the Buddha in former lives.

If anyone makes an image of the Buddha, then in lives to come their meritorious reward will be without end, beyond all telling. Even if one could measure out entirely all the waters of the rivers and seas in the four continents, yet the merit they obtain from making an image of the Buddha would be ten times greater than those waters of the rivers and seas in the four continents. In lives to come, they will be revered and aided by others.

One who makes an image of the Buddha is like one who possesses a sturdy house: even though it should rain, they have nothing to fear.

If anyone makes an image of the Buddha, then after death they will never again be born into the evil destinies, which are: the hells, the hungry ghosts, and the animals.

If anyone sees an image of the Buddha, and then with a kind and gentle heart joins their palms and takes refuge before the relic stūpa of the Buddha, then for a hundred kalpas to come they will never again be born among the animals, the hungry ghosts, or in the hells. After death, they will at once be born in the heavens. When their heavenly merit is exhausted, they will again be born among humankind and become the child of a wealthy and noble family with precious treasures and rare objects beyond all reckoning. In the end, they will attain the Buddha's Way of Nirvāṇa."

The Buddha said to the king:

"One who does good and creates an image of the Buddha will obtain such merit as this—it is by no means false or vain."

At that time the king was greatly delighted. The king paid homage before the Buddha, his forehead touching the Buddha's feet. Thereafter the king and his ministers all paid homage and took their leave. At the end of their lives, they were all reborn in the Pure Land of the Buddha Amitābha.

The Sūtra Spoken by the Buddha on the Carving of Buddha Images