Thus， I have heard, at one time the Buddha was at Shravasti, in Jeta Grove, the Garden of the Benefactor of Orphans and the Forlorn, together with a gathering of Sangha of 1,250 Great Bhikshus.
All of them are Great Arahants who are the Good Knowing Advisers for the assembly.
They are the Elders Shariputra, Mahamaudgalyayana, Mahakasyapa, Mahakatyayana, Mahakausthila, Revata, Suddhipanthaka, Nanda, Ananda, Rahula, Gavampati, Pindola-Bharadvaja, Kalodayin, Mahakaphina, Vakkula, Aniruddha, and other Great Disciples.
Together in the assembly are all the Bodhisattvas Mahasattvas. They are the Dharma Prince Manjushri, Ajita Bodhisattva, Gandhastin Bodhisattva, Nityodukta Bodhisattva, and other Great Bodhisattvas such like these.
And also present are Sakra Indra and immeasurable great assemblies from the various heavens.
At that time, the Buddha told the Elder Shariputra, ‘From here travelling to the west, after passing by ten million billion Buddha Lands, is a world known as Ultimate Bliss.
In that Land there is a Buddha by the Name Amitabha Buddha who is teaching the Dharma now.
Shariputra, why is this land known as the World of Ultimate Bliss?
The living beings in that Land do not have any sufferings. They only enjoy all kinds of bliss. That is why it is known as Ultimate Bliss.
Moreover, Shariputra, in the Land of Ultimate Bliss seven layers of railings, seven layers of nettings and seven layers of tress growing in rows are composed of four jewels.
They are found everywhere on this Land.
So, it is known as Ultimate Bliss.
Moreover, Shariputra, in the Land of Ultimate Bliss there are seven jewels ponds which are filled with the water of eight merits and virtues.
The bottom of the pond is covered with golden sands. The roads and stairs on the four sides are composed of gold, silver, lapis-lazuli and crystals.
Above there are the bungalows and pavilions which are adorned with gold, silver, lapis-lazuli, crystals, tridacna, red pearls and carnelian.
The lotuses in the ponds are as large as the carriage wheels.
The green lotuses emit the green lights.
The yellow lotuses emit the yellow lights.
The red lotuses emit the red lights while the white lotuses emit the white lights.
They are wonderfully subtle, fragrant and pure.
Shariputra, these are the adornments of merits and virtues which are accomplished in the Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Moreover, Shariputra, the heavenly music is often played in that Land.
The ground is made of gold.
In the six periods of time in the day and night, mandala flowers are rained down.
In the morning, every living being in that Land would gather the wonderful flowers with a piece of cloth to make offerings to ten million billion Buddhas in other directions.
When it is time for meal, they will return to their own Land.
After eating, they do the walking meditation.
Shariputra, these are the adorned merits and virtues which are accomplished in the Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Moreover, Shariputra, there are a variety of wonderfully unique and colourful birds in that Land.
They are the white cranes, peacocks, parrots, sari, Kalavinka, Jivajivaka.
All these birds will sing in a subtly harmonious voice in the six periods of time in the day and night.
They sing on the five roots, five strengths, seven fractions of Bodhi, Eight-fold Noble Path and other Dharma.
On hearing this, living beings in that Land will all be mindful of the Buddha, the Dharma and Sangha.
Shariputra! you should not say these birds are the retribution of their sinful karma.
Why do I say these?
In that Land there are no three evil paths.
Shariputra! The names of the three evil paths do not exist in that Land, what is more the existence of those paths?
All these birds are transformed by Amitabha Buddha as he desires the Dharma Sound to be spread afar.
Shariputra! In that Buddha Land, when the breeze blows by the rows of jewel trees and the jewel nettings, subtly wonderful music will be produced.
It is as though hundreds of thousands music is played together.
On hearing these sounds, everyone will naturally bring forth the mindfulness of the Buddha, the Dharma and Sangha.
Shariputra! These are the adorned merits and virtues which are accomplished in that Buddha Land.
Shariputra! What do you think? Why is the Buddha known as Amitabha?
Shariputra! The bright illumination of the Buddha is immeasurable and it shines on all the Lands in the ten directions, without hindrances.
That is why he is known as Amitabha.
Moreover, Shariputra! The lifespan of this Buddha and his people are immeasurable, limitless Asamkheyas Kalpas.
That is why he is known as Amitabha.
Shariputra! Amitabha Buddha has already accomplished Buddhahood ten Kalpas ago.
Moreover, Shariputra, the Buddha has immeasurable, limitless Sravaka disciples. They are all Arahants.
The number is so great that it is impossible to count them.
This is the same for the assemblies of Bodhisattvas.
Shariputra! These are the adorned merits and virtues which are accomplished in that Buddha Land.
Moreover, Shariputra! All the people who are born in the World of Ultimate Bliss are Avaivartika.
Many of them will attain Buddhahood in one more lifespan.
The number is so great and it is impossible to know the exact number using mathematics.
We can only describe them as immeasurable, limitless Asamkheyas.
Shariputra! Living beings who on hearing this should bring forth the Vows, vowing to be born in that Land.
Why is this so? It is because they will then be able to meet and stay together with all the supremely good men.
Shariputra! Living beings with little causes and conditions of good roots, blessings and virtues are unable to be born in that Land.
Shariputra! If there are good men and good women who on hearing the Name of Amitabha Buddha, recite his Name exclusively for one day, two days, three days, four days, five days, six days, seven days with an unconfused mind, such a man will see
Amitabha Buddha and the various Sagely assemblies appear before him at his death bed.
This man will pass away with an unconfused mind and attain a rebirth in Amitabha’s Land of Ultimate Bliss instantly.
Shariputra! On seeing these benefits, I am telling you this,
‘If there are living beings who have heard of what I have said, they should bring forth the Vows to attain a rebirth in that Land.’
Shariputra! Just as I am now praising the benefits of the inconceivable merits and virtues of Amitabha Buddha, in the Eastern direction there are also the Akshobhya Buddha, Sumeru Mark Buddha, the Great Sumeru Buddha, Sumeru Lights Buddha, Wonderful Sound Buddha and Buddhas such like this equivalent to the Ganges sands, each extends the feature of a long and broad tongue in their own Land, which covers up the three thousand great thousand worlds pervasively.
They proclaim these sincere and honest words:
All living beings, you should have faith in the praise of the inconceivable merits and virtues of this Sutra which is protected and treasured by all the Buddhas.
Shariputra, in the Southern worlds there are the Sun and Moon Lamp Buddha, the Celebrated Name Light Buddha, Great Glowing Flames shoulders Buddha, Sumeru Lantern Buddha, Immeasurable Vigor Buddha and Buddhas such like this equivalent to the Ganges sands, each extends the feature of a long and broad tongue in their own Land, which covers up the three thousand great thousand worlds pervasively.
They proclaim these sincere and honest words:
All living beings, you should have faith in the praise of the inconceivable merits and virtues of this Sutra which is protected and treasured by all the Buddhas.
Shariputra, in the Western Worlds there are the Immeasurable Lifespan Buddha, Immeasurable Features Buddha, Immeasurable Dhvaja Buddha, Great Lights Buddha, Great Illumination Buddha, Jewel Mark Buddha, Pure Lights Buddha and Buddhas such like this equivalent to the Ganges sands, each extends the feature of a long and broad tongue in their own Land, which covers up the three thousand great thousand worlds pervasively.
They proclaim these sincere and honest words:
All living beings, you should have faith in the praise of the inconceivable merits and virtues of this Sutra which is protected and treasured by all the Buddhas.
Shariputra, in the Northern Worlds there are the Flaming Shoulders Buddha, the Most Supreme Voice Buddha, Invincible Buddha, Sun Rise Buddha, Luminous Nets Buddha and Buddhas such like this equivalent to the Ganges sands, each extends the feature of a long and broad tongue in their own Land, which covers up the three thousand great thousand worlds pervasively.
They proclaim these sincere and honest words:
All living beings, you should have faith in the praise of the inconceivable merits and virtues of this Sutra which is protected and treasured by all the Buddhas.
Shariputra, in the Worlds below there are Lion Buddha, Well-known Buddha, Prominent Lights Buddha, Dharma Buddha, Dharma Dhvaja Buddha, Upholding the Dharma Buddha and Buddhas such like this equivalent to the Ganges sands, each extends the feature of a long and broad tongue in their own Land, which covers up the three thousand great thousand worlds pervasively.
They proclaim these sincere and honest words:
All living beings, you should have faith in the praise of the inconceivable merits and virtues of this Sutra which is protected and treasured by all the Buddhas.
Shariputra, in the Worlds above there are the Brahman Sound Buddha, Constellation King Buddha, Supreme Fragrance Buddha, Fragrant Lights Buddha, Great Flaming Shoulders Buddha, Adorned Body of Mixed Coloured Jewel Lotuses Buddha, Sala Tree King Buddha, Jewel Flowers Virtues Buddha, Seeing all Meanings Buddha, Resemblance of Sumeru Mountain Buddha and Buddhas such like this equivalent to the Ganges sands, each extends the feature of a long and broad tongue in their own Land, which covers up the three thousand great thousand worlds pervasively.
They proclaim these sincere and honest words:
All living beings, you should have faith in the praise of the inconceivable merits and virtues of this Sutra which is protected and treasured by all the Buddhas.
Shariputra! What do you think?
Why is it known as the Sutra which is protected and treasured by all the Buddha?
Shariputra! If there are Good Men and Good Women who on hearing this Sutra accept and uphold it, who have heard the Names of all the Buddhas, these Good Men and Good Women will be protected and treasured by all the Buddhas.
All of them will not retreat from Annutaraksamyaksambodhi.
That is why Shariputra, all of you should believe and accept my words and the words spoken by all the Buddhas.
Shariputra! If a man has already brought the Vows and wish to attain a rebirth in the Land of Amitabha Buddha, or he is bringing the Vows now or he will bring forth the Vows in future, all these people will surely attain no-retreat in Annutaraksamyaksambodhi.
They will either have been born in that Land, or will attain a rebirth in this lifespan or in future.
That is why Shariputra, Good Men or Good Women who have faith in my words should bring forth the Vows to be born in that Land.
Shariputra! Just as I am now praising the inconceivable merits and virtues of all the Buddha, all the Buddhas are also praising my inconceivable merits and virtues.
They speak thus:
Sakyamuni Buddha is able to accomplish the most difficult task, to attain Annutaraksamyaksambodhi in the evil world of five turbidities, namely the turbidity of Kalpa, the turbidity of Views, the turbidity of afflictions, the turbidity of living beings, the turbidity of lifespan, and speak for all living beings this Dharma, a Dharma which is most difficult for people to believe.
Shariputr! You should know that I in the evil world of five turbidities perform the difficult task of attaining Annutaraksamyaksambodhi and proclaim for all in the world this Dharma which is difficult to believe, it is most difficult.
After the Buddha has spoken this Sutra, Shariputra and all the Bhikshus, all the worldly devas and men, asuras who on hearing the teachings of the Buddha were most joyful.
They had good faith and accepted the Buddha’s words.
Then they made obeisance and left.
The end of The Buddha’s Teaching on Amitabha Sutra
The Buddha’s teaching on Amitabha Sutra
佛说阿彌陀經
Translated into Mandarin from Sanskrit by Tripitaka Master Kumarajiva during the Yao Qing Period 姚秦三藏法師鳩摩羅什翻译
I'm ORI the Light 