Cửu Phẩm Vãng Sanh A Di Đà Tam Ma Địa Tập Đà La Ni Kinh

At that time, Vairocana Tathagata was dwelling in the Great Samadhi Gate Vihara, together with an assembly of 89,000 bhikshus, all of whom were great arhats, fully endowed with wholesome wisdom and having done what had to be done. Their names were: Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara of Spiritual Power, Wisdom, and Eloquence; Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta; Bodhisattva of Unobstructed Spiritual Powers; Bodhisattva of Pure Light and Stainless Dharani; Bodhisattva Great Strength and Universal Hearing; Bodhisattva Great Adornment Power; Bodhisattva Infinite Light; and Bodhisattva King of Wholesome Wisdom, Wisdom, and Universal Light.

Such great bodhisattvas and shravaka assemblies came to where the Buddha was dwelling and said: “World-Honored One! In the Land of Infinite Life there is the Samadhi of the Nine Grades of Pure Consciousness. This is the realm of the Buddhas, the dwelling place of the Tathagata.

The Buddhas of the three times all rely upon it to accomplish right awakening, perfect the three knowledges, and increase merit and wisdom. The realms of these Nine Grades are: True Form Ground of the upper grade, upper birth; Stainless Ground of the upper grade, middle birth; Free from Defilement Ground of the upper grade, lower birth. Good Awakening Ground of the middle grade, upper birth; Bright Power Ground of the middle grade, middle birth; Outflow-Free Ground of the middle grade, lower birth.

True Awakening Ground of the lower grade, upper birth; Worthy Awakening Ground of the lower grade, middle birth; and Joyful Gate Ground of the lower grade, lower birth.

This is called the True Suchness Realm of the Nine Grades of Pure Consciousness. Within that inner seat there are twelve great mandalas, the true images of the Great Perfect Mirror Wisdom. The names of these true images are:

1 ) Buddha Infinite Light of All Threefold Attainment

2 ) Buddha Boundless Light of Universal Awakening and the Three Knowledges

3 ) Buddha Unobstructed Light of the Ultimate Path and the Three Knowledges

4 ) Buddha Incomparable Light of the Six Truths, Principle-Wisdom, and Radiance

5 ) Buddha Flame-King Light of Excellent Form and the Three Knowledges

6 ) Buddha Pure Light of All Three Knowledges

7 ) Buddha Joyful Light of the Universal Gate and the Three Knowledges

8 ) Buddha Wisdom Light of Entering Wisdom and the Three Knowledges

9 ) Buddha Unceasing Light of Luminous Form and the Three Knowledges

10 ) Buddha Inconceivable Light of Clear Attainment and the Three Knowledges

11 ) Buddha Incomparable Light of the Five Virtues and the Three Knowledges

12 ) Buddha Light Surpassing Sun and Moon of Wisdom Power and the Three Knowledges

Such Buddhas, Tathagatas, are complete in true form and are the basis for the mark of compassion of all Tathagatas of the three times.

If there are sentient beings who wish to be born in such a Pure Land of the Nine Grades, they should revere and contemplate these twelve perfect marvels. Day and night, at the three periods, they should recite the names of such a Pure Land of the Nine Grades and praise the titles of the twelve Light Buddhas. They will then forever leave the burning house of the Three Realms, certainly be born in True Suchness, depart far from the outflows, and enter forever into the outflow-free.

If someone wishes to enter such a realm of samadhi and fully obtain Buddha-wisdom, a quiescent mind, and a pure body, he should contemplate and recollect the True Mantra of the Real Mark of the Great Samaya.

The mantra is: “Om, amrta teje hara, hum”

– ) OM AMRTA TEJE HARA HÙM

Good man! Such a true mantra and Brahma-spell is the station belonging to the ultimate principle-wisdom of all Buddhas, Tathagatas, of the three times in the ten directions, and is the root of the twelve vows of emptiness.

If my disciples wish to bring benefit and joy to the three realms and benefit devas and humans, they should copy this sutra. Those who receive, uphold, read, and recite it will increase merit and joy, increase wisdom and eloquence, increase lifespan, complexion, and strength, extinguish karmic obstructions, eliminate myriad illnesses, increase compassion and love, and lack nothing in excellent form. How much more so those who, with sincere mind, copy, read, and recite it: they will deliver the three times, no longer being born in the burning house of the Three Realms. The power of recitation enables the practitioner to be reborn in the Pure Land of the Nine Grades in the assembly of the Realm of Ultimate Bliss.

At that time, when the great assembly heard the Buddha’s teaching, they all rejoiced greatly, faithfully accepted it, and practiced accordingly.

THE AMITABHA SUTRA OF THE NINE GRADES OF REBIRTH

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