受持七佛名號所生功德經

Thus indeed have I heard: At one time, the Buddha was dwelling in the Jeta Grove, the Garden of Anāthapiṇḍika[1], in the city of Śrāvastī, surrounded by an immeasurable, innumerable assembly of śrāvakas, great bodhisattvas, devas, humans, asuras, and others. At that time the Buddha addressed Śāriputra:

– Now, out of compassion for all sentient beings, I shall speak briefly of the merit of upholding the names of the seven Buddhas, so that those who uphold them may attain supreme benefit and bliss. I shall expound and distinguish these things for you. You should attentively listen and reflect upon them most carefully!

Śāriputra said:

– Yes indeed, World-Honored One! I greatly wish to hear it!

The Buddha addressed Śāriputra:

– In the eastern direction of this world there is a Buddha-land named Adorned with the Merit of the Multitude Free from Defilement. The Buddha of that land is named Tathāgata Auspicious Universally Pervading Radiance, the Worthy of Offerings, the Perfectly Enlightened One, the One Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, the Well-Gone One, the Knower of the World, the Unsurpassed Great Being, the Tamer of Beings, the Teacher of Devas and Humans, the Buddha, the World-Honored One. That Buddha to this day still abides in that place. Out of compassion for the world, He expounds the wondrous Dharma for the great assembly to hear. The Dharma He teaches is good in the beginning[2], good in the middle, and good in the end; its words and meaning are skillful, pure and complete, entirely undefiled. If anyone hears the name of that Buddha, then they will be freed from the suffering of birth-and-death revolving through hundreds of thousands of koṭis of great kalpas, and wherever they are born they will always know their former lives. If anyone diligently upholds the name of that Buddha, then they will attain the merit described above, and moreover, throughout hundreds of thousands of koṭis of great kalpas, wherever they are born they will be far removed from delusion and will enjoy the most exquisite joys in the realms of devas and humans. If anyone establishes an image of that Buddha and then reverently makes offerings, honors and extols Him, then they will attain the merit described above, and moreover, throughout immeasurable koṭis of great kalpas, wherever they are born they will always encounter Buddhas and will swiftly attain Unsurpassed Perfect Enlightenment.

Furthermore, Śāriputra! In the eastern direction of this world there is also a Buddha-land named Adorned with the Merit of the Multitude of Wondrous Awakening. The Buddha of that land is named Tathāgata Auspicious Abode of Wondrous Merit, the Worthy of Offerings, the Perfectly Enlightened One, the One Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, the Well-Gone One, the Knower of the World, the Unsurpassed Great Being, the Tamer of Beings, the Teacher of Devas and Humans, the Buddha, the World-Honored One.

That Buddha now still abides in that place. Out of compassion for the world, He expounds the wondrous Dharma for the great assembly to hear. The Dharma He teaches is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end; its words and meaning are skillful, pure and complete, entirely undefiled.

If anyone hears the name of that Buddha, then they will transcend all the eight conditions of adversity[3], and wherever they are born they will always know their former lives. Whoever diligently upholds the name of that Buddha will attain the merit described above, and moreover, throughout immeasurable koṭis of great kalpas, wherever they are born they will be wise and discerning, always dwelling in good realms and enjoying the most exquisite joys.

If anyone establishes an image of that Buddha and then reverently makes offerings, honors and extols Him, then they will attain the merit described above, and moreover, throughout immeasurable koṭis of great kalpas, wherever they are born they will always encounter Buddhas, will cultivate all the pāramitās, and will become a Great Guide[4] who delivers immeasurable sentient beings.

Furthermore, Śāriputra! In the eastern direction of this world there is also a Buddha-land named Abode of Sentient Beings. The Buddha of that land is named Tathāgata King of the Single Jeweled Canopy, the Worthy of Offerings, the Perfectly Enlightened One, the One Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, the Well-Gone One, the Knower of the World, the Unsurpassed Great Being, the Tamer of Beings, the Teacher of Devas and Humans, the Buddha, the World-Honored One.

That Buddha now still abides in that place. Out of compassion for the world, He expounds the wondrous Dharma for the great assembly to hear. The Dharma He teaches is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end; its words and meaning are skillful, full and complete, entirely undefiled.

If anyone hears the name of that Buddha, then they will at once be far removed from all sorrow and suffering, and will preserve their rank and their wealth—except where the evil karma of former lives has already been determined. If anyone diligently upholds the name of that Buddha, then they too will attain the merit described above, and wherever they are born they will be endowed with great majestic virtue, with spiritual powers freely exercised, with a radiant complexion and a dignified, upright appearance that all delight to behold.

If anyone establishes an image of that Buddha and then reverently makes offerings, honors and extols Him, then they will attain the merit described above, and moreover, throughout immeasurable koṭis of great kalpas they will always be born into worlds where a Buddha is present, will cultivate the bodhisattva conduct, will make great and adorned vows, will become one of Unsurpassed Enlightenment, and will bring benefit to all sentient beings.

Furthermore, Śāriputra! In the eastern direction of this world there is also a Buddha-land named Power of Sovereign Mastery. The Buddha of that land is named Tathāgata Well-Gone Marks of Concentration, the Worthy of Offerings, the Perfectly Enlightened One, the One Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, the Well-Gone One, the Knower of the World, the Unsurpassed Great Being, the Tamer of Beings, the Teacher of Devas and Humans, the Buddha, the World-Honored One.

That Buddha now still abides in that place. Out of compassion for the world, He expounds the wondrous Dharma for the great assembly to hear. The Dharma He teaches is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end; its words and meaning are skillful, pure and complete, entirely undefiled.

If anyone hears the name of that Buddha, then their mind will at once become still and tranquil, far removed from all agitation. If anyone diligently upholds the name of that Buddha, then they will attain the merit described above, and moreover, throughout immeasurable koṭis of great kalpas, wherever they are born their body will be fully endowed with the four dignified deportments, and whether speaking or silent their mind will likewise always remain in concentration.

If anyone establishes an image of that Buddha and then reverently makes offerings, honors and extols Him, then besides attaining the merit described above, they will moreover, throughout immeasurable koṭis of great kalpas, wherever they are born always encounter Buddhas, swiftly attain to the utmost all the gateways of samādhi, become the Most Honored of Those with Two Legs, and deliver immeasurable sentient beings.

Furthermore, Śāriputra! In the eastern direction of this world there is also a Buddha-land named Supreme Jewel. The Buddha of that land is named Tathāgata Auspicious Light of the Jeweled Flower, the Worthy of Offerings, the Perfectly Enlightened One, the One Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, the Well-Gone One, the Knower of the World, the Unsurpassed Great Being, the Tamer of Beings, the Teacher of Devas and Humans, the Buddha, the World-Honored One.

That Buddha now still abides in that place. Out of compassion for the world, He expounds the wondrous Dharma for the great assembly to hear. The Dharma He teaches is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end; its words and meaning are skillful, pure and complete, entirely undefiled.

If anyone hears the name of that Buddha, then they will at once be fully endowed with supreme mindfulness, supreme wisdom, and supreme conduct. He expounds the fearless Dharma for the fourfold assembly to hear, His words majestic and dignified, causing them all to revere, believe, and accept. If anyone diligently upholds the name of that Buddha, then they will attain the merit described above, and moreover, throughout immeasurable koṭis of great kalpas, wherever they are born they will be fully endowed with mindfulness, wisdom, and conduct; they will possess keen intelligence and a most supreme power of hearing, accepting, and remembering.

If anyone establishes an image of that Buddha and then reverently makes offerings, honors and extols Him, then they will attain the merit described above, and moreover, throughout immeasurable koṭis of great kalpas, wherever they are born they will encounter Buddhas, possess unobstructed eloquence, proclaim the wondrous Dharma far and wide, gradually cultivate the provisions of merit and wisdom, become the Most Honored of Devas and Humans, and deliver immeasurable multitudes.

Furthermore, Śāriputra! In the eastern direction of this world there is also a Buddha-land named Island of Quiescence. The Buddha of that land is named Tathāgata Marks Surpassing the Boundless, the Worthy of Offerings, the Perfectly Enlightened One, the One Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, the Well-Gone One, the Knower of the World, the Unsurpassed Great Being, the Tamer of Beings, the Teacher of Devas and Humans, the Buddha, the World-Honored One.

That Buddha now still abides in that place. Out of compassion for the world, He expounds the wondrous Dharma for the great assembly to hear. The Dharma He teaches is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end; its words and meaning are skillful, pure and complete, entirely undefiled.

If anyone hears the name of that Buddha, then their mind will be settled in peace, undisturbed by confusion. If anyone diligently upholds the name of that Buddha, then besides attaining the merit described above, they will moreover swiftly attain the Supreme Moonlight samādhi. Having attained this samādhi, the practitioner will then realize samādhis as numerous as the sands of the Ganges.

If anyone establishes an image of that Buddha and then reverently makes offerings, honors and extols Him, then besides attaining the merit described above, with regard to the Dharma-gateways that the Buddhas have expounded they will skillfully and diligently uphold them, thoroughly comprehend their meaning and principle, and illuminate them without obstruction like the light of the sun; wherever they are born they will always encounter Buddhas, and thereby they will swiftly attain Unsurpassed Bodhi.

Furthermore, Śāriputra! In the eastern direction of this world there is also a Buddha-land named Supreme Fragrance. The Buddha of that land is named Tathāgata King of Wondrous Fragrance, the Worthy of Offerings, the Perfectly Enlightened One, the One Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, the Well-Gone One, the Knower of the World, the Unsurpassed Great Being, the Tamer of Beings, the Teacher of Devas and Humans, the Buddha, the World-Honored One.

That Buddha now still abides in that place. Out of compassion for the world, He expounds the wondrous Dharma for the great assembly to hear. The Dharma He teaches is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end; its words and meaning are skillful, pure and complete, entirely undefiled.

If anyone hears the name of that Buddha, then their body and mind will become gentle, harmonious, and at ease, no longer heavy and coarse; their evil karma will be eliminated and their afflictions made light and thin. If anyone diligently upholds the name of that Buddha, then besides attaining the merit described above, in lives to come, wherever they are born they will be fully endowed with the thirty-two marks of a great being and will be admired by all.

If anyone establishes an image of that Buddha and then reverently makes offerings, honors and extols Him, then besides attaining the merit described above, in lives to come, wherever they are born they will always be able to go forth into the homeless life, fully endowed with pure precepts, going to the various Buddha-lands to hear and uphold the Dharma, cultivating all merit completely, and thereby swiftly accomplishing Anuttarā-samyak-saṃbodhi.

The Buddha addressed Śāriputra:

– If sentient beings, having heard the names of these seven Buddhas, then uphold them and make offerings, they will surely attain the merit described above. Why is this so? Because the form-characteristics and names of these seven Buddhas were all accomplished through their original vows of great compassion; therefore, if sentient beings hear and remember, uphold, and make offerings to them, they will all attain such benefit and bliss.

When they had heard the Buddha expound this sūtra, Śāriputra together with the great śrāvakas, the great bodhisattvas, humans, devas, asuras, and others all rejoiced exceedingly, believed and accepted it, and reverently put it into practice.

Notes:

[1] The Jeta Grove, the Garden of Anāthapiṇḍika 誓多林給孤獨園 (also called the Garden of Anāthapiṇḍika in the Grove of Prince Jeta): the Jetavana monastery in the garden to the south of the city of Śrāvastī, within Śrāvastī, the capital of the country of Kosala, in Central India. This was the most renowned of all the places where the Buddha expounded the Dharma.

[2] Good in the Beginning—Good in the Middle—Good in the End 初善中善後善: Within a sūtra expounded by the Buddha, the beginning is the Introduction portion, the middle is the Main Teaching portion, and the final part is the Transmission portion; their meaning and principle are all perfectly integrated and profound.

[3] The Eight Conditions of Adversity 八難 (also called the eight states of adversity, the eight solutions to adversity, the eight states without leisure, the eight states of unleisure, the eight untimely states, the eight evil states, the eight states of not hearing in timely season): the eight kinds of obstructive adversity that prevent one from encountering a Buddha and from hearing the true Dharma. These eight conditions of adversity are: 1.

The adversity of being in the hells, 2. The adversity of being among the hungry ghosts, 3. The adversity of being among the animals, 4.

The adversity of being in the long-lived heavens, 5. The adversity of being born in Uttarakuru, 6. The adversity of being blind, deaf, mute, or stammering, 7.

The adversity of worldly intelligence and clever discourse, 8. The adversity of being born before a Buddha or after a Buddha.

[4] Great Guide 大導師: an honorific title of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, for they possess the power to lead sentient beings across the perils of birth-and-death; therefore they are called Great Guide.