稱讚淨土佛攝受經

THUS HAVE I HEARD:

At one time, the Buddha was dwelling together with 1,250 great bhikshus in the Garden of the Benefactor of Orphans and the Solitary, within the Jeta Grove near the city of Shravasti. They were all venerable Shravakas, elders, and great Arhats whom everyone knew.

Their names were: the Venerable Shariputra, the Venerable Mahamaudgalyayana, the Venerable Mahakashyapa, the Venerable Aniruddha, and other great Shravakas such as these as their leaders.

There were also innumerable great Bodhisattvas. All of them dwelt in non-retrogression and possessed immeasurable adornments of merit. Their names were: Manjushri Bodhisattva, Ajita Bodhisattva, Constantly Vigorous Bodhisattva, Never Resting Bodhisattva, and other great Bodhisattvas such as these as their leaders.

There were also Shakra, the Four Heavenly Kings who guard the world, and the sovereign of the Saha World, Great Brahma Heaven King, as their leaders, together with 100,000 koti nayuta of heavenly multitudes; and immeasurable devas, humans, and asuras of the world all came to assemble to listen to the Dharma.

At that time the Buddha said to the Venerable Shariputra:

"Do you now know? From this world, passing westward beyond 100,000 koti nayuta of Buddha-lands, there is a world called Ultimate Bliss. In that land there is a Buddha named Limitless Life. That World-Honored One is also called the Tathagata of Limitless Light, the Worthy of Offerings, the One of Right and Universal Enlightenment--complete with the ten epithets. At present, He dwells there peacefully, sustaining the land, and for the sake of sentient beings He proclaims the profound and wondrous Dharma, so as to cause them to attain supreme benefit and peaceful bliss.

Moreover, Shariputra! For what reason is the world of that Buddha named Ultimate Bliss?

Shariputra! Because the bodies and minds of the sentient beings in that world are entirely without sorrow, suffering, or affliction. There is only immeasurable purity and joyful bliss. Therefore it is called the World of Ultimate Bliss.

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

Shariputra! In that Buddha-land there are such wondrous adornments of merit, so very delightful and lovely. Therefore it is called the World of Ultimate Bliss.

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

1. clear and pure

2. cool and refreshing

3. sweet and fragrant

4. soft and gentle

5. moistening

6. peaceful and harmonious

7. dispelling calamity; when drunk, it dispels hunger, thirst, and immeasurable calamities.

8. nourishing and beneficial; once drunk, it will surely nurture the faculties, increase the benefit of the four great elements, and provide every other excellent quality. Sentient beings who possess wholesome roots and abundant merit always delight in using such water.

The bottoms of these jeweled ponds are spread with golden sand. The steps on all four sides are adorned all around by the four kinds of jewels and are exceedingly beautiful. Around the ponds are rows of wondrous jeweled trees. They emit a rich fragrance and are adorned with the seven jewels.

The seven jewels are:

1. gold

2. silver

3. lapis lazuli

4. crystal

5. red pearls

6. amber

7. mother-of-pearl

In these ponds there are constantly myriad kinds of lotus flowers of many different colors, as large as cartwheels. The blue lotuses shine with a blue radiance; their blue light casts blue reflections. The yellow lotuses shine with a yellow radiance; their yellow light casts yellow reflections. The red lotuses shine with a red radiance; their red light casts red reflections. The white lotuses shine with a white radiance; their white light casts white reflections. The four lotuses shine with four radiances; their four lights cast four reflections.

Shariputra! In that Buddha-land there are such wondrous adornments of merit, so very delightful and lovely. Therefore it is called the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Moreover, Shariputra! In the pure Buddha-land of the World of Ultimate Bliss there is naturally and constantly immeasurable and boundless wondrous music, with harmonious and graceful melodies, so very delightful and lovely. When the sentient beings there hear this wondrous sound, all their evil afflictions are entirely destroyed, they gradually increase immeasurable wholesome Dharmas, and they swiftly realize Supreme Perfect Enlightenment.

Shariputra! In that Buddha-land there are such wondrous adornments of merit, so very delightful and lovely. Therefore it is called the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Moreover, Shariputra! Everywhere across the ground in the pure Buddha-land of the World of Ultimate Bliss is composed of pure gold. It is exceedingly soft, fragrant and pure, and radiates light. Upon it are immeasurable and boundless wondrous jewels used for ornamentation.

Shariputra! In that Buddha-land there are such wondrous adornments of merit, so very delightful and lovely. Therefore it is called the World of Ultimate Bliss.

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

Although they cause the bodies and minds of those who see them to feel delight, they do not cause people to give rise to greedy attachment. These flowers also increase immeasurable, countless, and inconceivable excellent merits for the sentient beings there. Throughout the six periods of day and night, the sentient beings of that land constantly hold these flowers as offerings to the Buddha of Limitless Life.

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

Shariputra! In that Buddha-land there are such wondrous adornments of merit, so very delightful and lovely. Therefore it is called the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Moreover, Shariputra! In the pure Buddha-land of the World of Ultimate Bliss there are constantly various kinds of birds of extraordinarily beautiful and many colors, such as: geese, wild ducks, herons, flamingos, peacocks, parrots, the bird of wondrous voice, and the jivajivaka birds. Throughout the six periods of day and night, these birds constantly gather together and sing forth harmonious and graceful sounds.

According to the sound of each kind, they proclaim the profound and wondrous Dharma, such as: the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, the Four Right Efforts, the Four Bases of Spiritual Power, the Five Faculties, the Five Powers, the Seven Factors of Enlightenment, the Eightfold Right Path, and immeasurable wondrous Dharmas such as these. When the sentient beings of that land hear these sounds, they all become mindful of the Buddha, mindful of the Dharma, and mindful of the Sangha.

Thereby they attain immeasurable merit from the fragrant cultivation of the precepts that perfumes and adorns their bodies.

Shariputra! What do you think? Could the birds of that land belong to the realm of animals among the evil destinies? Do not give rise to such a wrong view!

Why is this? Because the Pure Land of that Buddha has none of the three evil destinies. Even the names of the three evil destinies do not exist there; how much less could there truly be birds of the animal realm born from the karmic offenses that summon such retribution. You should know that they are all manifested by the Buddha of Limitless Life, who, wishing to cause the immeasurable sound of the Dharma to flow forth for the benefit and peaceful bliss of sentient beings, transformed them into being thus.

Shariputra! In that Buddha-land there are such wondrous adornments of merit, so very delightful and lovely. Therefore it is called the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Moreover, Shariputra! In the pure Buddha-land of the World of Ultimate Bliss there are constantly wondrous breezes. When they blow gently through the jeweled trees and jeweled nets, they produce wondrous sounds, as though a hundred thousand koti kinds of celestial music were sounding forth all at once. The wondrous sounds resound harmoniously and gracefully, so very delightful and lovely. In that land there are constantly 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 of that land hear these sounds, they give rise to the mind of mindfulness of the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, and attain immeasurable merit.

Shariputra! In that Buddha-land there are such wondrous adornments of merit, so very delightful and lovely. Therefore it is called the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Moreover, Shariputra! In the pure Buddha-land of the World of Ultimate Bliss there are immeasurable and boundless such rare and inconceivable matters. Suppose there were a person who, passing through a hundred thousand koti nayuta of kalpas, used immeasurable hundreds of thousands of koti nayuta of tongues, and from each tongue produced immeasurable sounds to praise the merits of that land--even so they could not exhaust them. Therefore it is called the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Moreover, Shariputra! Why is the Buddha in the pure Buddha-land of the World of Ultimate Bliss named Limitless Life?

Shariputra! The lifespan of that Tathagata and of the sentient beings there is immeasurable, countless great kalpas in length. By this cause and condition, the Tathagata of that land is named Limitless Life.

Shariputra! From the time the Buddha of Limitless Life realized Supreme Perfect Enlightenment until now, ten great kalpas have passed.

Shariputra! Why is that Buddha also named Limitless Light?

Shariputra! Because that Tathagata constantly emits immeasurable and boundless wondrous light, illuminating all Buddha-lands throughout the ten directions to perform Buddha-deeds without obstruction. By this cause and condition, the Tathagata of that land is also named Limitless Light.

Shariputra! In that Buddha-land there are such wondrous adornments of merit, so very delightful and lovely. Therefore it is called the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Moreover, Shariputra! In the pure Buddha-land of the Buddha of Limitless Life in the World of Ultimate Bliss there are constantly immeasurable Shravaka disciples. All of them are great Worthy Ones and are complete with every wondrous merit. Their number is boundless and cannot be counted.

Shariputra! In that Buddha-land there are such wondrous adornments of merit, so very delightful and lovely. Therefore it is called the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Moreover, Shariputra! In the pure Buddha-land of the Buddha of Limitless Life in the World of Ultimate Bliss there are constantly immeasurable Bodhisattva disciples. All of them are those bound to one more birth and are complete with every wondrous merit. Their number is boundless and cannot be counted. Suppose there were a person who, passing through immeasurable, countless kalpas, were to praise their merits--even so they could never be exhausted.

Shariputra! In that Buddha-land there are such wondrous adornments of merit, so very delightful and lovely. Therefore it is called the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Moreover, Shariputra! Whatever sentient beings are born in that land are all those of non-retrogression, and they will certainly never again fall into the perilous evil destinies, nor be born in border regions, as lowly persons, or among barbarians. They will constantly journey to the pure lands of the Buddhas. With supreme vows and practices and thought after thought of advancement, they will surely realize Supreme Perfect Enlightenment.

Shariputra! In that Buddha-land there are such wondrous adornments of merit, so very delightful and lovely. Therefore it is called the World of Ultimate Bliss.

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

Why is this? Because if anyone is born in that land, they will assemble together in one place with the Great Beings of immeasurable adornments of merit. They will enjoy the peaceful bliss of the Mahayana Dharma in the pure Buddha-land of immeasurable adornments of merit. With immeasurable vows and practices and thought after thought of advancement, they will not retrogress and will swiftly realize Supreme Perfect Enlightenment.

Therefore, Shariputra! The sentient beings born in the land of that Buddha have all accomplished immeasurable and boundless merit. It is not by some slight wholesome root that sentient beings will attain rebirth in the pure Buddha-land of the Buddha of Limitless Life in the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Moreover, Shariputra! If there are any good men or good women who, with pure faith, hear the immeasurable, boundless, and inconceivable merit and name of the Buddha of Limitless Life, and the adornments of merit of the World of Ultimate Bliss. Having heard, they contemplate for one day, or two, or three, or four, or five, or six, or seven days, single-mindedly and without distraction--then when these good men and good women approach the end of their lives, the Buddha of Limitless Life, together with immeasurable Shravaka disciples and the great assembly of Bodhisattvas surrounding Him before and behind, will come and appear before them, compassionately blessing and protecting them so that their minds are not thrown into confusion.

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

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

Moreover, Shariputra! Just as I now proclaim and praise the immeasurable, boundless, and inconceivable merits in the Buddha-land of the Buddha of Limitless Life, so too at present in the eastern direction there are likewise the Tathagata Unshakable, the Tathagata Mountain Banner, the Tathagata Great Mountain, the Tathagata Mountain Light, the Tathagata Wondrous Banner, and Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges dwelling thus in the eastern direction.

Each one, in his own pure Buddha-land, manifests the sign of a broad and long tongue that covers and encompasses all around the Three Thousandfold Great Thousandfold World, speaking these truthful words:

'All sentient beings should faithfully accept this praise of the inconceivable merit of the Buddha-lands, the Dharma-door embraced and upheld by all Buddhas.'

Moreover, Shariputra! At present in the southern direction there are likewise the Tathagata Sun-Moon Light, the Tathagata Renowned Light, the Tathagata Great Mass of Light, the Tathagata Lofty Light, the Tathagata Boundless Vigor, and Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges dwelling thus in the southern direction.

Each one, in his own pure Buddha-land, manifests the sign of a broad and long tongue that covers and encompasses all around the Three Thousandfold Great Thousandfold World, speaking these truthful words:

'All sentient beings should faithfully accept this praise of the inconceivable merit of the Buddha-lands, the Dharma-door embraced and upheld by all Buddhas.'

Moreover, Shariputra! At present in the western direction there are likewise the Tathagata Limitless Life, the Tathagata Limitless Mass, the Tathagata Limitless Light, the Tathagata Limitless Banner, the Tathagata Great Sovereign, the Tathagata Great Light, the Tathagata Blazing Light, the Tathagata Great Jeweled Banner, the Tathagata Radiating Light, and Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges dwelling thus in the western direction.

Each one, in his own pure Buddha-land, manifests the sign of a broad and long tongue that covers and encompasses all around the Three Thousandfold Great Thousandfold World, speaking these truthful words:

'All sentient beings should faithfully accept this praise of the inconceivable merit of the Buddha-lands, the Dharma-door embraced and upheld by all Buddhas.'

Moreover, Shariputra! At present in the northern direction there are likewise the Tathagata of Limitless Light and Adornment, Penetrating Awakened Wisdom, the Tathagata of the Limitless Celestial Drum Resounding the Great Wondrous Sound, the Tathagata Great Mass, the Tathagata Net of Light, the Tathagata Sala Sovereign King, and Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges dwelling thus in the northern direction.

Each one, in his own pure Buddha-land, manifests the sign of a broad and long tongue that covers and encompasses all around the Three Thousandfold Great Thousandfold World, speaking these truthful words:

'All sentient beings should faithfully accept this praise of the inconceivable merit of the Buddha-lands, the Dharma-door embraced and upheld by all Buddhas.'

Moreover, Shariputra! At present in the lower direction there are likewise the Tathagata Manifesting All--Right Principle of the Wondrous Dharma--Constantly Radiating Fire King--Light of Triumphant Virtue, the Tathagata Lion, the Tathagata Renowned, the Tathagata Glory of Light, the Tathagata Right Dharma, the Tathagata Wondrous Dharma, the Tathagata Dharma Banner, the Tathagata Possessing Merit, the Tathagata Renowned for Merit, and Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges dwelling thus in the lower direction.

Each one, in his own pure Buddha-land, manifests the sign of a broad and long tongue that covers and encompasses all around the Three Thousandfold Great Thousandfold World, speaking these truthful words:

'All sentient beings should faithfully accept this praise of the inconceivable merit of the Buddha-lands, the Dharma-door embraced and upheld by all Buddhas.'

Moreover, Shariputra! At present in the upper direction there are likewise the Tathagata Brahma Voice, the Tathagata Constellation King, the Tathagata Fragrant Light, the Tathagata Triumphant Virtue Like the Red Lotus Flower, the Tathagata Manifesting All Meaning and Benefit, and Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges dwelling thus in the upper direction.

Each one, in his own pure Buddha-land, manifests the sign of a broad and long tongue that covers and encompasses all around the Three Thousandfold Great Thousandfold World, speaking these truthful words:

'All sentient beings should faithfully accept this praise of the inconceivable merit of the Buddha-lands, the Dharma-door embraced and upheld by all Buddhas.'

Moreover, Shariputra! At present in the southeastern direction there is likewise the Tathagata Supreme Vast and Great Cloud-Thunder Sound King, and Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges dwelling thus in the southeastern direction.

Each one, in his own pure Buddha-land, manifests the sign of a broad and long tongue that covers and encompasses all around the Three Thousandfold Great Thousandfold World, speaking these truthful words:

'All sentient beings should faithfully accept this praise of the inconceivable merit of the Buddha-lands, the Dharma-door embraced and upheld by all Buddhas.'

Moreover, Shariputra! At present in the southwestern direction there is likewise the Tathagata Supreme Sunlight of Renowned Merit, and Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges dwelling thus in the southwestern direction.

Each one, in his own pure Buddha-land, manifests the sign of a broad and long tongue that covers and encompasses all around the Three Thousandfold Great Thousandfold World, speaking these truthful words:

'All sentient beings should faithfully accept this praise of the inconceivable merit of the Buddha-lands, the Dharma-door embraced and upheld by all Buddhas.'

Moreover, Shariputra! At present in the northwestern direction there is likewise the Tathagata Limitless Merit, Fire King, and Brilliant Light, and Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges dwelling thus in the northwestern direction.

Each one, in his own pure Buddha-land, manifests the sign of a broad and long tongue that covers and encompasses all around the Three Thousandfold Great Thousandfold World, speaking these truthful words:

'All sentient beings should faithfully accept this praise of the inconceivable merit of the Buddha-lands, the Dharma-door embraced and upheld by all Buddhas.'

Moreover, Shariputra! At present in the northeastern direction there is likewise the Tathagata Countless Hundreds of Thousands of Koti of Vast Wisdom, and Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges dwelling thus in the northeastern direction.

Each one, in his own pure Buddha-land, manifests the sign of a broad and long tongue that covers and encompasses all around the Three Thousandfold Great Thousandfold World, speaking these truthful words:

'All sentient beings should faithfully accept this praise of the inconceivable merit of the Buddha-lands, the Dharma-door embraced and upheld by all Buddhas.'

Moreover, Shariputra! Why is this Sutra called The Praise of the Inconceivable Merit of the Buddha-lands, the Dharma-door Embraced and Upheld by All Buddhas?

Shariputra! Because in this Sutra there is proclaimed and praised the immeasurable, boundless, and inconceivable merit in the Buddha-land of the Buddha of Limitless Life, together with the Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, throughout the ten directions. Because, as a skillful means, they wish to benefit and bring peaceful bliss to sentient beings, each one in his own land manifests the power of great majestic spirit and speaks truthful words to exhort sentient beings to faithfully accept this Dharma. Therefore this Sutra is called The Praise of the Inconceivable Merit of the Buddha-lands, the Dharma-door Embraced and Upheld by All Buddhas.

Moreover, Shariputra! If there are any good men or good women who have heard, or are now 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 embraced and 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 surely attain non-retrogression in Supreme Perfect Enlightenment. All of them will certainly be born in the pure Buddha-land of the Buddha of Limitless Life in the World of Ultimate Bliss.

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

Moreover, Shariputra! If there are any good men or good women who have made, or are now making, or will make the vow, and who wish to be born in the pure Buddha-land of adorned merit of the Buddha of Limitless Life in the World of Ultimate Bliss, they will certainly be embraced and 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 surely attain non-retrogression in Supreme Perfect Enlightenment. All of them will certainly be born in the pure Buddha-land of the Buddha of Limitless Life in the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Therefore, Shariputra! 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 the vow for rebirth in the pure Buddha-land of the Buddha of Limitless Life in the World of Ultimate Bliss.

Moreover, Shariputra! Just as I now proclaim and praise the inconceivable merit of the Buddha-land of the Buddha of Limitless Life in the World of Ultimate Bliss, so too the Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, of the ten directions praise My boundless and inconceivable merit, all speaking words such as these:

'How very rare it is, O Capable Humane One of Tranquil Stillness! The Capable Humane One, the Dharma King, the Tathagata, the Worthy of Offerings, the One of Right and Universal Knowledge, the One Perfect in Wisdom 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 Saha 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.

And because, as a skillful means, He wishes to benefit and bring peaceful bliss to sentient beings, He expounds this Dharma which the world finds extremely difficult to believe.'

Therefore, Shariputra! You should know that I now, in this defiled Saha World of the evil age of the five turbidities, realize Supreme Perfect Enlightenment. And then, because, as a skillful means, I wish to benefit and bring peaceful bliss to sentient beings, I expound this Dharma which the world finds extremely difficult to believe. It is truly rare and inconceivable!'

Moreover, Shariputra! In this defiled Saha 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 extremely difficult to believe, and who are then able to give rise to faith and understanding, to receive and uphold and expound it, and to cultivate practice in accordance with the teaching, then you should know that such a person is exceedingly rare.

They must surely have planted wholesome roots in the presence of immeasurable Buddhas. When this person's life ends, they will certainly be born in the World of Ultimate Bliss in the western direction. They will enjoy every kind of peaceful bliss of the Mahayana Dharma in the pure Buddha-land of immeasurable adornments of merit.

Throughout the six periods of day and night, they will draw near to and make offerings to the Buddha of Limitless Life. They will journey to the worlds of the ten directions to make offerings to the Buddhas. In the presence of the Buddhas, they will hear the Dharma and receive prophecies, their provisions of merit and wisdom will swiftly be perfected, and they will swiftly realize Supreme Perfect Enlightenment."

When the World-Honored One had finished expounding this Sutra, the Venerable Shariputra, the great Shravakas, the great Bodhisattvas, together with the immeasurable devas, humans, asuras, and the entire great assembly, upon hearing the Buddha's teaching, all gave rise to great joy and faithfully accepted and reverently upheld it.

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