稱讚淨土佛攝受經

THUS HAVE I HEARD:

At one time, the Buddha was dwelling in the Garden of the Benefactor of Orphans and the Solitary, within Jeta's Grove near the city of Abundant Virtue, together with 1,250 great bhikṣus. They were all venerable śrāvakas, elders, and great Arhats whom everyone knew.

Their names were: Venerable Śāriputra, Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana, Venerable Mahākāśyapa, Venerable Aniruddha, and other great śrāvakas such as these were foremost among them.

There were also countless great Bodhisattvas. They all dwelt in non-retrogression and were adorned with immeasurable merit. Their names were: Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva, Ajita Bodhisattva, Ever-Diligent Bodhisattva, Never-Resting Bodhisattva, and other great Bodhisattvas such as these were foremost among them.

There were also Śakra, the Four World-Protecting Kings, and the sovereign of the Sahā World, the Great Brahmā Heavenly King, as the foremost, together with 100,000 koṭi nayuta heavenly beings; and immeasurable devas, humans, and asuras in the world all came together to assemble and listen to the Dharma.

At that time the Buddha said to Śāriputra:

"Do you know? From this world, going westward, passing beyond 100,000 koṭi nayuta Buddha-lands, there is a world named Sukhāvatī. In that land there is a Buddha whose title is Amitāyus (Immeasurable Life). That World-Honored One is also called Amitābha (Immeasurable Light) Tathāgata, the Worthy of Offerings, the Perfectly and Completely Enlightened One—complete with the ten epithets. At present, He dwells there in peace and security, sustaining it, and for the sake of sentient beings He proclaims the profound and wondrous Dharma, so as to cause them to attain supreme benefit and bliss.

Moreover, Śāriputra! For what cause and condition is the world of that Buddha named Sukhāvatī (Ultimate Bliss)?

Śāriputra! It is because the body and mind of the sentient beings in that world are entirely without worry, sorrow, suffering, or affliction. There is only immeasurable purity and bliss. Therefore it is called the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Moreover, Śāriputra! Everywhere throughout the pure Buddha-land of the World of Ultimate Bliss there are seven layers of wondrous jeweled railings, seven layers of rows of jeweled palm trees, and seven layers of wondrous jeweled nets. All of these are adorned all around by the four kinds of jewels. That is, gold, silver, lapis lazuli, and crystal used for beautiful adornment.

Śāriputra! In that Buddha-land there are such wondrous and most delightful merits and adornments as these. Therefore it is called the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Moreover, Śāriputra! Everywhere throughout the pure Buddha-land of the World of Ultimate Bliss there are wondrous ponds of the seven jewels, filled with the water of eight virtues. What are the eight kinds of virtues?

1. Crystal clear

2. Cool and refreshing

3. Sweet and fragrant

4. Soft and gentle

5. Moistening

6. Calm and harmonious

7. Removing affliction; when drunk, it removes hunger, thirst, and immeasurable afflictions.

8. Beneficial; once drunk, it will certainly nourish and develop the faculties, increase benefit to the four great elements, and provide every other excellence. Sentient beings who have wholesome roots and abundant merit always delight in using this water.

The bottoms of these jeweled ponds are spread with golden sand. The stepped terraces on the four sides are all adorned all around with the four kinds of jewels and are exceedingly beautiful. Around the ponds there are rows of wondrous jeweled trees. They emit a fragrant aroma and are adorned with the seven jewels.

The seven jewels are:

1. Gold

2. Silver

3. Lapis lazuli

4. Crystal

5. Red pearl

6. Amber

7. Mother-of-pearl

In these ponds there are always myriad kinds of lotus flowers of many different colors, as large as cartwheels. The blue lotuses radiate a blue hue; their blue light casts a blue reflection. The yellow lotuses radiate a yellow hue; their yellow light casts a yellow reflection. The red lotuses radiate a red hue; their red light casts a red reflection. The white lotuses radiate a white hue; their white light casts a white reflection. The four lotuses radiate four hues; their four lights cast four reflections.

Śāriputra! In that Buddha-land there are such wondrous and most delightful merits and adornments as these. Therefore it is called the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Moreover, Śāriputra! In the pure Buddha-land of the World of Ultimate Bliss there is naturally and always immeasurable, boundless wondrous music, with melodies harmonious and most delightful. When the sentient beings there hear this wondrous sound, all their evil and afflictive defilements are entirely eliminated, they gradually increase immeasurable wholesome Dharmas, and they swiftly realize Supreme Perfect Enlightenment.

Śāriputra! In that Buddha-land there are such wondrous and most delightful merits and adornments as these. Therefore it is called the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Moreover, Śāriputra! Throughout the ground of the pure Buddha-land of the World of Ultimate Bliss, all is composed of pure gold. It is exceedingly soft, fragrant, and pure, and radiates light. Upon it there are immeasurable, boundless wondrous jewels and gems used for adornment.

Śāriputra! In that Buddha-land there are such wondrous and most delightful merits and adornments as these. Therefore it is called the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Moreover, Śāriputra! In the pure Buddha-land of the World of Ultimate Bliss, throughout the six periods of day and night, there always rains down every kind of supreme and wondrous celestial flower. They are of many different colors, fresh and bright, fragrant and pure, and soft and gentle.

Although they cause delight to the body and mind of those who see them, they do not cause one to give rise to grasping attachment. These flowers also increase immeasurable, countless, and inconceivable supreme merits for the sentient beings there. Throughout the six periods of day and night, the sentient beings in that land always hold such flowers to make offerings to the Buddha Amitāyus.

Each early morning, within the time of a single meal, they hold these celestial flowers and fly to immeasurable worlds in other directions to make offerings to hundreds of thousands of koṭis of Buddhas. At the place of each of those Buddhas, they scatter down hundreds of thousands of koṭis of flowers as offerings, then return to their own land to take their meal and walk in meditation.

Śāriputra! In that Buddha-land there are such wondrous and most delightful merits and adornments as these. Therefore it is called the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Moreover, Śāriputra! In the pure Buddha-land of the World of Ultimate Bliss there are always birds of many beautiful and extraordinary colors, such as: geese, wild geese, herons, flamingos, peacocks, parrots, kalaviṅka birds, and jīvaṃjīvaka birds. Throughout the six periods of day and night, these birds always gather together and sing harmonious sounds.

In accordance with the sound of each kind, they proclaim the profound wondrous Dharma, such as: the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, the Four Right Exertions, the Four Bases of Spiritual Power, the Five Faculties, the Five Powers, the Seven Factors of Enlightenment, the Noble Eightfold Path, and immeasurable wondrous Dharmas such as these. When the sentient beings in that land hear these sounds, they all recollect the Buddha, recollect the Dharma, and recollect the Saṅgha.

Thereby they attain immeasurable merit from the fragrance of the precepts cultivated to adorn their bodies.

Śāriputra! What do you think? Are the birds in that land beings within the realm of animals among the evil destinies? Do not give rise to such a wrong view!

Why is this so? Because in the Pure Land of that Buddha there are no three evil destinies. Even the names of the three evil destinies do not exist; how much less could there truly be the karmic retribution-summoned birds of the animal realm? You should know that they are all manifested in this way by the Buddha Amitāyus, who wishes to spread the immeasurable sound of the Dharma far and wide so as to bring benefit and bliss to sentient beings.

Śāriputra! In that Buddha-land there are such wondrous and most delightful merits and adornments as these. Therefore it is called the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Moreover, Śāriputra! In the pure Buddha-land of the World of Ultimate Bliss there are always wondrous breezes. When they blow gently through the jeweled trees and jeweled nets, they produce wondrous sounds, as if hundreds of thousands of koṭis of kinds of celestial music were sounding all at once. The wondrous sounds ring out in harmonious tones, most delightful. In that land there are always such wondrous breezes. When they blow gently through the jeweled trees and jeweled nets, they produce myriad kinds of wondrous sounds and proclaim myriad kinds of Dharma. When the sentient beings in that land hear these sounds, they give rise to the mind that recollects the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Saṅgha, and attain immeasurable merit.

Śāriputra! In that Buddha-land there are such wondrous and most delightful merits and adornments as these. Therefore it is called the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Moreover, Śāriputra! In the pure Buddha-land of the World of Ultimate Bliss there are immeasurable, boundless rare and inconceivable matters such as these. Suppose a person were, throughout hundreds of thousands of koṭi nayuta kalpas, to use immeasurable hundreds of thousands of koṭi nayuta tongues, and from each tongue to produce immeasurable sounds in order to praise the merits of that land, even then they could not exhaust them. Therefore it is called the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Moreover, Śāriputra! Why is the Buddha in the pure Buddha-land of the World of Ultimate Bliss titled Amitāyus (Immeasurable Life)?

Śāriputra! The lifespan of that Tathāgata and of the sentient beings there is immeasurable and countless great kalpas long. For this cause and condition the Tathāgata in that land is titled Amitāyus.

Śāriputra! It has been ten great kalpas since the Buddha Amitāyus realized Supreme Perfect Enlightenment until now.

Śāriputra! Why is that Buddha also titled Amitābha (Immeasurable Light)?

Śāriputra! Because that Tathāgata always emits immeasurable, boundless wondrous light, illuminating all Buddha-lands in the ten directions to carry out the work of a Buddha without obstruction. For this cause and condition the Tathāgata in that land is also titled Amitābha.

Śāriputra! In that Buddha-land there are such wondrous and most delightful merits and adornments as these. Therefore it is called the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Moreover, Śāriputra! In the pure Buddha-land of the Buddha Amitāyus in the World of Ultimate Bliss there are always immeasurable śrāvaka disciples. They are all great Worthy Ones (Arhats) complete with every wondrous merit. Their number is boundless and beyond reckoning.

Śāriputra! In that Buddha-land there are such wondrous and most delightful merits and adornments as these. Therefore it is called the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Moreover, Śāriputra! In the pure Buddha-land of the Buddha Amitāyus in the World of Ultimate Bliss there are always immeasurable Bodhisattva disciples. They are all those bound to one more birth, complete with every wondrous merit. Their number is boundless and beyond reckoning. Suppose a person were, throughout immeasurable countless kalpas, to praise their merits, they could never be exhausted.

Śāriputra! In that Buddha-land there are such wondrous and most delightful merits and adornments as these. Therefore it is called the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Moreover, Śāriputra! Any sentient beings born into that land are all non-retrogressive ones, and they will surely never again fall into the perilous evil destinies, nor be born in border regions, nor become base persons, nor barbarians. They will always roam through the pure lands of the Buddhas. With supreme vows and aspirations, advancing thought after thought, they will certainly realize Supreme Perfect Enlightenment.

Śāriputra! In that Buddha-land there are such wondrous and most delightful merits and adornments as these. Therefore it is called the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Moreover, Śāriputra! If any sentient beings hear of the immeasurable merits and the adornments of the pure Buddha-land of the Buddha Amitāyus in the western direction, they should all make a vow and aspire to be born in the land of that Buddha.

Why is this so? Because if anyone is born into that land, they will be gathered together in one place with the Great Beings of immeasurable merits and adornments. They will enjoy the bliss of the Mahāyāna Dharma in a pure Buddha-land of immeasurable merits and adornments. With immeasurable vows and aspirations, advancing thought after thought, they will not retrogress and will swiftly realize Supreme Perfect Enlightenment.

Therefore, Śāriputra! The sentient beings born into the land of that Buddha have all accomplished immeasurable, boundless merit. It is not with but a few wholesome roots that sentient beings will attain rebirth in the pure Buddha-land of the Buddha Amitāyus in the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Moreover, Śāriputra! If there are any good men or good women who, with pure faith, hear the immeasurable, boundless, inconceivable merits of the name of the Buddha Amitāyus, and the meritorious adornments of the World of Ultimate Bliss. Having heard, they contemplate—whether for one day, or two, or three, or four, or five, or six, or seven days—single-mindedly and without distraction, then those good men and good women, when their lives come to an end, the Buddha Amitāyus, together with His immeasurable śrāvaka disciples and the great assembly of Bodhisattvas surrounding Him before and behind, will come before them and with compassion bestow protection, causing their minds to be undisturbed.

When their lives end, they will follow the assembly of the Buddha and attain rebirth in the pure Buddha-land of the Buddha Amitāyus in the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Moreover, Śāriputra! Because I see such benefits and bliss as a great matter of cause and condition, I speak these true words: If there are any good men or good women who, with pure faith, hear the immeasurable, boundless, inconceivable merits of the name of the Buddha Amitāyus, and the meritorious adornments of the World of Ultimate Bliss, they should all faithfully accept and make a vow, cultivate practice as taught, and aspire to be born in that land.

Moreover, Śāriputra! Just as I now proclaim and praise the immeasurable, boundless, inconceivable merits in the Buddha-land of the Buddha Amitāyus, so too at present in the eastern direction there are Akṣobhya (Immovable) Tathāgata, Mountain-Banner Tathāgata, Great-Mountain Tathāgata, Mountain-Light Tathāgata, Wondrous-Banner Tathāgata, and Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River dwelling in the eastern direction such as these.

Each one, in His own pure Buddha-land, manifests the sign of His broad and long tongue covering all around the Three-Thousandfold Great-Thousandfold World System, and speaks these true words:

'All sentient beings should faithfully accept this praise of the inconceivable meritorious Buddha-lands, the Dharma-gate that is upheld by all Buddhas.'

Moreover, Śāriputra! At present in the southern direction there are also Sun-Moon-Light Tathāgata, Renown-Light Tathāgata, Great-Light-Mass Tathāgata, Lofty-Light Tathāgata, Boundless-Diligence Tathāgata, and Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River dwelling in the southern direction such as these.

Each one, in His own pure Buddha-land, manifests the sign of His broad and long tongue covering all around the Three-Thousandfold Great-Thousandfold World System, and speaks these true words:

'All sentient beings should faithfully accept this praise of the inconceivable meritorious Buddha-lands, the Dharma-gate that is upheld by all Buddhas.'

Moreover, Śāriputra! At present in the western direction there are also Amitāyus (Immeasurable Life) Tathāgata, Immeasurable-Mass Tathāgata, Immeasurable-Light Tathāgata, Immeasurable-Banner Tathāgata, Great-Sovereign Tathāgata, Great-Light Tathāgata, Light-Blaze Tathāgata, Great-Jewel-Banner Tathāgata, Light-Emitting Tathāgata, and Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River dwelling in the western direction such as these.

Each one, in His own pure Buddha-land, manifests the sign of His broad and long tongue covering all around the Three-Thousandfold Great-Thousandfold World System, and speaks these true words:

'All sentient beings should faithfully accept this praise of the inconceivable meritorious Buddha-lands, the Dharma-gate that is upheld by all Buddhas.'

Moreover, Śāriputra! At present in the northern direction there are also Immeasurable-Light-Adornment-Penetrating-Awakened-Wisdom Tathāgata, Immeasurable-Celestial-Drum-Resounding-Great-Wondrous-Sound Tathāgata, Great-Mass Tathāgata, Light-Net Tathāgata, Sāla King Tathāgata, and Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River dwelling in the northern direction such as these.

Each one, in His own pure Buddha-land, manifests the sign of His broad and long tongue covering all around the Three-Thousandfold Great-Thousandfold World System, and speaks these true words:

'All sentient beings should faithfully accept this praise of the inconceivable meritorious Buddha-lands, the Dharma-gate that is upheld by all Buddhas.'

Moreover, Śāriputra! At present in the lower direction there are also Manifesting-All-the-True-Principle-of-the-Wondrous-Dharma-Ever-Emitting-the-Fire-King-of-Victorious-Virtue-Light Tathāgata, Lion Tathāgata, Renown Tathāgata, Glory-Light Tathāgata, True-Dharma Tathāgata, Wondrous-Dharma Tathāgata, Dharma-Banner Tathāgata, Possessor-of-Merit Tathāgata, Merit-Named Tathāgata, and Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River dwelling in the lower direction such as these.

Each one, in His own pure Buddha-land, manifests the sign of His broad and long tongue covering all around the Three-Thousandfold Great-Thousandfold World System, and speaks these true words:

'All sentient beings should faithfully accept this praise of the inconceivable meritorious Buddha-lands, the Dharma-gate that is upheld by all Buddhas.'

Moreover, Śāriputra! At present in the upper direction there are also Brahmā-Sound Tathāgata, Constellation-King Tathāgata, Fragrance-Light Tathāgata, Like-the-Red-Lotus-of-Victorious-Virtue Tathāgata, Manifesting-All-Benefit-and-Welfare Tathāgata, and Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River dwelling in the upper direction such as these.

Each one, in His own pure Buddha-land, manifests the sign of His broad and long tongue covering all around the Three-Thousandfold Great-Thousandfold World System, and speaks these true words:

'All sentient beings should faithfully accept this praise of the inconceivable meritorious Buddha-lands, the Dharma-gate that is upheld by all Buddhas.'

Moreover, Śāriputra! At present in the southeastern direction there is also Supreme-Vast-Great-Cloud-Thunder-Sound-King Tathāgata, and Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River dwelling in the southeastern direction such as these.

Each one, in His own pure Buddha-land, manifests the sign of His broad and long tongue covering all around the Three-Thousandfold Great-Thousandfold World System, and speaks these true words:

'All sentient beings should faithfully accept this praise of the inconceivable meritorious Buddha-lands, the Dharma-gate that is upheld by all Buddhas.'

Moreover, Śāriputra! At present in the southwestern direction there is also Supreme-Sun-Light-Renown-Merit Tathāgata, and Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River dwelling in the southwestern direction such as these.

Each one, in His own pure Buddha-land, manifests the sign of His broad and long tongue covering all around the Three-Thousandfold Great-Thousandfold World System, and speaks these true words:

'All sentient beings should faithfully accept this praise of the inconceivable meritorious Buddha-lands, the Dharma-gate that is upheld by all Buddhas.'

Moreover, Śāriputra! At present in the northwestern direction there is also Immeasurable-Merit-Fire-King-Light Tathāgata, and Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River dwelling in the northwestern direction such as these.

Each one, in His own pure Buddha-land, manifests the sign of His broad and long tongue covering all around the Three-Thousandfold Great-Thousandfold World System, and speaks these true words:

'All sentient beings should faithfully accept this praise of the inconceivable meritorious Buddha-lands, the Dharma-gate that is upheld by all Buddhas.'

Moreover, Śāriputra! At present in the northeastern direction there is also Countless-Hundreds-of-Thousands-of-Koṭis-of-Vast-Wisdom Tathāgata, and Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River dwelling in the northeastern direction such as these.

Each one, in His own pure Buddha-land, manifests the sign of His broad and long tongue covering all around the Three-Thousandfold Great-Thousandfold World System, and speaks these true words:

'All sentient beings should faithfully accept this praise of the inconceivable meritorious Buddha-lands, the Dharma-gate that is upheld by all Buddhas.'

Moreover, Śāriputra! Why is this Sutra called the Praise of the Inconceivable Meritorious Buddha-Lands, the Dharma-Gate That Is Upheld by All Buddhas?

Śāriputra! Because in this Sutra there is proclaimed and praised the immeasurable, boundless, inconceivable merit in the Buddha-lands of the Buddha Amitāyus together with the Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, throughout the ten directions. By means of skillful means, wishing to bring benefit and bliss to sentient beings, each one in His own land manifests the power of great majestic spiritual might and speaks true words to exhort sentient beings to faithfully accept this Dharma. Therefore this Sutra is called the Praise of the Inconceivable Meritorious Buddha-Lands, the Dharma-Gate That Is Upheld by All Buddhas.

Moreover, Śāriputra! If there are any good men or good women who have heard, or are hearing, or will hear this Sutra. Having heard it, they will give rise to profound faith and understanding. Having given rise to faith and understanding, they will certainly be upheld by the Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, throughout the ten directions, as numerous as ten times the sands of the Ganges River. All those who follow the teaching and cultivate practice will certainly attain non-retrogression with respect to Supreme Perfect Enlightenment. They will all surely be born into the pure Buddha-land of the Buddha Amitāyus in the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Therefore, Śāriputra! All of you sentient beings should faithfully accept and thoroughly understand the teaching of Me and the teaching of the Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, throughout the ten directions. You should be diligent, cultivate practice as taught, and give rise to no doubt.

Moreover, Śāriputra! If there are any good men or good women who have made a vow, or are making a vow, or will make a vow, and who wish to be born into the pure Buddha-land of meritorious adornments of the Buddha Amitāyus in the World of Ultimate Bliss, they will certainly be upheld by the Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, throughout the ten directions, as numerous as ten times the sands of the Ganges River. All those who follow the teaching and cultivate practice will certainly attain non-retrogression with respect to Supreme Perfect Enlightenment. They will all surely be born into the pure Buddha-land of the Buddha Amitāyus in the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Therefore, Śāriputra! If there are any good men or good women with pure faith, they should all give rise to profound faith and understanding, not be heedless, and make a vow to attain rebirth in the pure Buddha-land of the Buddha Amitāyus in the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Moreover, Śāriputra! Just as I now proclaim and praise the inconceivable meritorious Buddha-land of the Buddha Amitāyus in the World of Ultimate Bliss, so too the Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, throughout the ten directions praise My boundless, inconceivable merit, and they all speak words such as these:

'How rare it is, Able-One of Tranquil Stillness (Śākyamuni)! The Able-One, the Dharma-King, the Tathāgata, the Worthy of Offerings, the Perfectly Enlightened by Right, the Perfected in Knowledge and Conduct, the Well-Gone One, the Knower of the World, the Unsurpassed One, the Tamer of Beings, the Teacher of Devas and Humans, the Buddha, the World-Honored One, is able, in the Sahā World during the evil age of the five turbidities—namely: the turbidity of the kalpa, the turbidity of views, the turbidity of afflictions, the turbidity of sentient beings, and the turbidity of lifespan—to realize Supreme Perfect Enlightenment. By means of skillful means, wishing to bring benefit and bliss to sentient beings, He expounds this Dharma which the world finds most difficult to believe.'

Therefore, Śāriputra! You should know that I now, in this defiled Sahā World of the evil age of the five turbidities, have realized Supreme Perfect Enlightenment. Then, by means of skillful means, wishing to bring benefit and bliss to sentient beings, I expound this Dharma which the world finds most difficult to believe. It is truly rare and inconceivable!'

Moreover, Śāriputra! In this defiled Sahā World of the evil age of the five turbidities, if there are any good men or good women with pure faith, who hear this Dharma which all the world finds most difficult to believe, and are then able to give rise to faith and understanding, to receive and uphold it and expound it, and to cultivate practice in accordance with the teaching, then you should know that such a person is exceedingly rare.

They have surely planted wholesome roots in the presence of immeasurable Buddhas in the past. When this person's life comes to an end, they will surely be born into the World of Ultimate Bliss in the western direction. They will enjoy every kind of bliss of the Mahāyāna Dharma in a pure Buddha-land of immeasurable meritorious adornments.

Throughout the six periods of day and night, they will draw near to and make offerings to the Buddha Amitāyus. They will roam to the worlds in the ten directions to make offerings to the Buddhas. In the presence of the Buddhas, they will hear the Dharma and receive prediction, their provisions of merit and wisdom will swiftly be fulfilled, and they will swiftly realize Supreme Perfect Enlightenment."

When the World-Honored One had finished expounding this Sutra, Venerable Śāriputra, the great śrāvakas, the great Bodhisattvas, together with the immeasurable devas, humans, asuras, and all the great assembly, having heard the Buddha's teaching, all gave rise to great joy and faithfully accepted it and respectfully upheld it.

The Sutra in Praise of the Pure Land, Upheld by All Buddhas