THE AMITABHA SUTRAIntroduction and Translation by Upasaka I Kuo Jung INTRODUCTION The present translation is of the small SUKHAVATI-VYUHA. Two sutras, the large and the small, have this title, both taking as subject Amitabha Buddha, his pure Buddhaland to the West, and the means to rebirth therein. Sukhavati, or, as translated from the Chinese1, Ultimate Bliss, is the name of this land. A third sutra also describes Sukhavati: the AMITURDHYANA-SUTRA. Together, these three comprise the basic texts of the Pure Land Sect2. The translated text, the small SUKHAVATI-VYUHA, although it is the shortest of the three, is by no means unimportant. Nor is it just a summary recapitulation of the doctrine set forth in the other two. The large SUKHAVATI-VYUHA explains the causal connections3 resulting in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. It deals with Amitabha's vows of former lives and their realization in Sukhavati. The AMITURDHYANA-SUTRA4 is concerned with quite another matter. It is a guide to cultivation and describes a series of sixteen meditations, which lead to various grades of transformation rebirth in Sukhavatt. Summaries of both sutras are readily found in the literature and so are not given here. Both sutras contain dharmas preached in specific response to the requests of sentient beings: the large SUKHAVATI-VYUHA at the request of Ananda, "who had still to be advanced on the path of disciples”; the AMITURDHYANA-SUTRA at the request of Vardehi, queen mother of the wicked Prince Ajatasatru:
The small SUKHAVATI-VYUHA, in contradistinction, is unique because the entire Sutra belongs to the "self-spoken" division8. In other words, the Buddha himself spontaneously preached the Dharma, overstepping the usual practice of speaking Dharma on request. The very fact that no one in the Great Assembly knew to ask shows the extreme importance and inconceivability of this specific Dharma. Thus, the Buddha clearly warns, "You should know that I, in the evil time of the five turbidities...for all the world speak this Dharma, difficult to believe, extremely difficult."9 Unfortunately, it is not now possible to publish a full discussion of the doctrine of the sutra and its ramifications. Notes and other explanatory materials, although a necessity for accurate presentation of the translation, can by no stretch of the imagination be considered a replacement for the traditionally accompanying commentary. It is hoped that this lacuna may soon be filled by the appearance in Vajra Bodhi Sea of Tripitaka Master Hsuan Hua's sublime lectures on this Sutra. The original draft of the translation was made as a text to be used in conjunction with spontaneous oral translations of these lectures. It was felt that an accurate and fairly literal translation was needed to do justice to the subtleties of the commentary. Afterwards, it was decided to chant the Sutra as part of the daily activities at the Buddhist Lecture Hall. In order to produce an English version suitable for chanting, some revision of the literal translation was necessary; however, great care has been taken to preserve the meaning, even at the cost of "chant ability". Although the product presented here is a long way from Kumarajiva's pristine clarity, it is hoped that a step has been made in that direction. And perhaps with growing familiarity and cultivation, progress will be rapid. * * * * * * Namo to the Lotus Pool Assembly of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas as Vast as the Sea. (3x) THE BUDDHA SPEAKS ABOUT AMITABHA SUTRA Translated from Sanskrit to Chinese by the Tripitaka Master Kumarajiva at Yao Ch'in Translated from Chinese to English by Upasaka I Kuo Jung Thus I have heard, at one time the Buddha dwelt at Sravasti in the Jeta grove in the garden of the Benefactor of Orphans and the Solitary together with a gathering of great Bhiksus, 1250 in all, all great Arhats whom the assembly knew and recognized: Elders Sariputra, Mahamaudgalyayana, Mahakasyapa, Mahakatyayana, Mahakausthila, Revata, Suddhipanthaka, Nanda, Ananda, Rahula, Gavampati, Pindola-bharadvaja, Kalodayin, Maha kaphina, Vakkula, Aniruddha, and others such as these, all great disciples; together with all the Bodhisattvas, Mahasattvas: Dharma Prince Manjusri, Ajita Bodhisattva, Gandhastin Bodhisattva, Nityodyukta Bodhisattva, and others such as these, all great Bodhisattvas; and together with Sakra, chief among gods" and the numberless great multitudes from all the heavens.7 At that time the Buddha told the Elder Sariputra, "Passing from here through hundreds of thousands of millions of Buddhalands to the West, there is a world called Ultimate Bliss8. In this land a Buddha called Amitabha right now teaches the Dharma. Sariputra, for what reason is this land called Ultimate Bliss? All living beings9 of this country endure none of the sufferings, but enjoy every bliss" Therefore, it is called 'Ultimate Bliss". Moreover, Sariputra, this Land of Ultimate Bliss is everywhere surrounded by seven tiers of railings11 seven layers of netting12 and seven rows of trees13, all formed from the four treasures and for this reason named 'Ultimate Bliss'. Moreover,
Sariputra, the Land of Ultimate Bliss has pools14 of
the seven jewels15 filled with the eight waters16
of merit and virtue. The bottom of each pool is pure, spread over with
golden sand. On the four sides are stairs of gold, silver, lapis lazuli,
and crystal" above are raised pavilions adorned with gold, silver,
lapis lazuli, crystal, rather-of-pearl, red pearls, and
carnelian. In the pools are lotuses as large as carriage wheels: green colored of green light; yellow colored of yellow light; red colored of red light; white colored of white light; subtly, wonderfully, fragrant and pure. Sariputra, the realization of the Land of Ultimate Bliss is thus meritoriously adorned. Moreover Sariputra. in that Buddhaland there is always heavenly music, and the ground is yellow gold. In the six periods of the day and night a heavenly rain of mandarava flowers falls, and throughout the clear morning each living being of this Land, with sacks full of the myriads of wonderful flowers, makes offerings to the hundreds of thousands of millions of Buddhas of the other directions. At mealtime they return to their own country and having eaten they stroll around. Sariputra, the realization of the Land of Ultimate Bliss is thus meritoriously adorned. Moreover Sariputra, in this country there are always rare and wonderful vary-colored birds: white cranes18; peacocks19; parrots20 and egrets21; kalavinkas22 and two-headed birds23. In the six periods of the day and night the flocks of birds sing forth harmonious and elegant sounds. Their clear and joyful sounds proclaim the five roots24, the five powers25, the seven Bodhi shares26, the eight sagely way shares27, and dharmas such as these. When living beings of this land hear these sounds, they are altogether mindful28 of the Buddha, mindful of the Dharma, and mindful of the Sangha. Sariputra,
do not say that these birds are born as retribution for their karmic
offenses. For what reason?
In this Buddhaland there are no three evil ways of rebirth29.
Sariputra, in this Buddhaland not even the names of the three evil ways
exist, how much the less their actuality!
Desiring that the Dharma sound be widely proclaimed, Amitabha
Buddha by transformation made this multitude of birds. Sariputra, in that Buddhaland, when the soft wind blows, the rows of jeweled trees and jeweled nets give forth subtle and wonderful sounds, like one hundred thousand kinds of music played at the same time. All those who hear this sound naturally bring forth in their hearts30 mindfulness of the Buddha, mindfulness of the Dharma, and mindfulness of the Sangha. Sariputra, the realization of the Land of Ultimate Bliss is thus meritoriously adorned. Sariputra, what do you think? Why is this Buddha called Amitabha? Sariputra, the brilliance of that Buddha's light is measureless, illumining the lands of the ten directions everywhere without obstruction; for this reason he is called Amitabha31. Moreover Sariputra, the life of that Buddha and that of his people extends for measureless limitless asankhyeya kalpas; for this reason he is called Amitayus32. And Sariputra, since Amitabha realized Buddhahood, ten kalpas have passed. Moreover Sariputra, that Buddha has measureless, limitless "sound-hearer" disciples33, all Arhats, their number incalculable; thus also is the assembly of Bodhisattvas. Sariputra,
the realization of the Land of Ultimate Bliss is thus meritoriously
adorned. Moreover Sariputra, those living beings born in the Land of Ultimate Bliss are all avaivartika34. Among them are many who in this very life will dwell in Buddhahood35. Their number is extremely many; it is incalculable and only in measureless, limitless asankhyeya36 kalpas could it be spoken. Sariputra, those living beings that hear should vow, 'I wish to be born in that country.' And why? Those who thus attain are all superior and good people, all coming together in one place. Sariputra, one cannot have few good roots, blessings, virtues, and causal connections37 to attain birth in that Land. Sariputra,
if there is a good man or good woman who hears spoken 'Amitabha
Buddha" and holds the name, whether for one day, two days, three,
four, five days, six days, as long as seven days, with one heart
unconfused, when this person approaches the end of life, before him will
appear Amitabha Buddha and all the assembly of Holy Ones.
When the end comes, his heart is without inversion; in Amitabha
Buddha's Land of Ultimate Bliss he will attain rebirth.
Sariputra, because I see this benefit, I speak these words: If
living beings hear this spoken they should make the vow, 'I will be born
in that land.' Sariputra,
as I now praise the inconceivable benefit from the merit and virtue of
Amitabha Buddha, thus in the East are also Aksobhya Buddha38,
Sumeru Appearance Buddha39, Great Sumeru Buddha40,
Sumeru Light Buddha41, Wonderful Sound Buddha42,
all Buddhas such as these, numberless as Ganges' sands.
In his own country each brings forth the appearance of a vast and
long tongue, everywhere covering the three thousand great thousand
worlds43, and speaks the sincere and actual words, 'All you
living beings should believe, praise, and hold in reverence the
inconceivable merit and virtue44 of this Sutra Of The
Mindful One Of Whom All Buddhas Are Protective.
Sariputra, in the Southern world are Sun Moon Lamp Buddha46,
Well-Known Light Buddha47, Great Blazing Shoulders Buddha48,
Sumeru Lamp Buddha49, Measureless Vigor Buddha50,
all Buddhas such as these, numberless as Ganges sands. In his own
country each brings forth the appearance of a vast and long tongue,
everywhere covering the three thousand great thousand worlds, and speaks
the sincere and actual words, 'All you living beings should believe,
praise, and hold in reverence the inconceivable merit and
virtue of this Sutra Of The Mindful One Of Whom All Buddhas Are
Protective.' Sariputra, in the Western world are Measureless Life Buddha51, Measureless Appearance Buddha52, Measureless Curtain Buddha53, Great Light Buddha54, Great Brightness Buddha55, Jeweled Appearance Buddha56, Pure Light Buddha57, all Buddhas such as these, numberless as Ganges sands. In his own country each brings forth the appearance of a vast and long tongue, everywhere covering the three thousand great thousand worlds, and speaks the sincere and actual words, 'All you living beings should believe, praise, and hold in reverence the inconceivable merit and virtue of this Sutra Of The Mindful One Of Whom All Buddhas Are Protective.' Sariputra, in the Northern world are Blazing Shoulders Buddha58, Most Victorious Sound Buddha59, Hard to Injure Buddha60, Sun Birth Buddha61, Net Brightness Buddha62, all Buddhas such as these, numberless as Ganges sands. In his own country each brings forth the appearance of a vast and long tongue, everywhere covering the three thousand great thousand worlds, and speaks the sincere and actual words, 'All you living beings should believe, praise, and hold in reverence the inconceivable merit and virtue of this Sutra Of The Mindful One Of Whom All Buddhas Are Protective.' Sariputra, in the world below are Lion Buddha63, Well-Known Buddha64, Famous Light Buddha65, Dharma Buddha66, Dharma Curtain Buddha67, Dharma Maintaining Buddha68, all Buddhas such as these, numberless as Ganges sands. In his own country each brings forth the appearance of a vast and long tongue, everywhere covering the three thousand great thousand worlds, and speaks the sincere and actual words, 'All you living beings should believe, • praise, and hold in reverence the inconceivable merit and virtue of this Sutra Of The Mindful One Of Whom All Buddhas Are Protective.' Sariputra, in the world above are Pure Sound Buddha69, King of Past Lives Buddha70, Superior Fragrance Buddha71, Fragrant Light Buddha72, Great Blazing Shoulders Buddha73, Vary-colored Jewels and Flower Adornment Body Buddha74, Sala Tree King Buddha75, Jeweled Flower Virtue Buddha76, Vision of all Meaning Buddha77, Such as Mt. Sumeru Buddha78, all Buddhas such as these, numberless as Ganges sands. In his own country each brings forth the appearance of a vast and long tongue, everywhere covering the three thousand great thousand worlds, and speaks the sincere and actual words, 'All you living beings should believe, praise, and hold in reverence the inconceivable merit and virtue of this Sutra Of The Mindful One Of Whom All Buddhas Are Protective.
Sariputra, what do you think? Why is it called Sutra Of The Mindful One Of Whom All Buddhas Are Protective. Sariputra, if a good man or good woman hears this Sutra and holds to it, and hears the names of all these Buddhas, this good man or woman will be the Mindful One of whom all Buddhas are protective, and will irreversibly attain to annuttara-samyak- sambodhi. Therefore, Sariputra, all of you should believe and accept my words, and those which all Buddhas speak. Sariputra, if there are people who have already made the vow, who now make the vow, or who are about to make the vow, 'I desire to be born in Amitabha's Country', these people whether born in the past, now being born, or to be born in the future, all will irreversibly attain to annuttara-samyak-sambodhi. Therefore, Sariputra, all good men and good women, if they are among those who have faith, should make the vow, 'I will be born in that country.' Sariputra,
just as I am now one who praises the merit and virtue of all Buddhas,
all those Buddhas equally praise my inconceivable merit and virtue
saying these words, 'Sakyamuni Buddha can complete extremely rare and
difficult deeds. In the Saha
Land, in the evil time of the five turbidities79, in the
midst of the kalpa turbidity, the view turbidity, the affliction
turbidity, the living beings turbidity, and the life turbidity, he can
attain annuttara-samyak-sambodhi and for the sake of living
beings, speak this Dharma which in the whole world is hard to believe.' Sariputra, you should know that I, in the evil time of the five turbidities, practice these difficult deeds,, attain annuttara-samyak- sambodhi and for all the world speak this dharma, difficult to believe, extremely difficult" After the Buddha spoke this Sutra, Sariputra and all the Bhiksus, all the gods, men, and asuras, and others from all the worlds, hearing what the Buddha had said, joyously welcomed, faithfully accepted, bowed and withdrew. END OF THE BUDDHA SPEAKS OF AMITABHA SUTRA |
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