The Amitabha Sutra

Thus have I heard: at one time the Blessed One, the Buddha Shakyamuni, was staying
near the city of Shravasti, in the cloistered garden that the generous Anathapindada gave to the
Buddhist Order in Prince Jeta’s grove. He was staying there with a large gathering of monks
numbering one thousand two hundred fifty. These monks were well known for their
extraordinary powers. They were true elders, great disciples. They had all achieved the highest
degree of sainthood, that of an Arhat.
Among these Arhats surrounding the Blessed One were the elder Sariputra and his close
friend Maudgalyayana the Great. Kashyapa the Great was also among them, and Kapphina the
Great, Katyayana the Great and Kaushthila the Great. Also among these monks were Revata
and Shuddhipanthaka, and the Buddha’s half-brother Nanda, and his cousin and closest
disciple, Ananda, as well as Rahula, the Buddha’s son. Present there was also Gavampati, and
Bharadvaja, Kalodayin, Vakkula, and Aniruddha. These and other, many more, great disciples
accompanied the Buddha at that time.
And the Buddha was accompanied by many of those magnificent human beings well
advanced on their way to full awakening, those who are called Bodhisattvas or Mahasattvas.
For instance, the Bodhisattva Manjushri, the Prince of Dharma, was present in that assembly –
and so was the Bodhisattva who is the Future Buddha of our age, the Bodhisattva Maitreya,
who is called Invincible. And the Bodhisattvas Gandhahastin, Nityodyukta, and
Anikshiptadhura were there. These and other, many more Bodhisattvas or mahasattvas
accompanied the Buddha at that time. Also present were Shakra, known also as Indra, the
King of the Gods, and Brahma, Lord of this, our world, known as the Saha World. These and
other heavenly beings – many hundreds of thousands of millions – accompanied the Buddha at
that time.
Then, the Blessed One addressed the reverend Sariputra, saying, ”To the west of us,
Sariputra, a hundred thousand million Buddha-fields from where we are, there is a world called
the Land of Bliss. At this very moment, the Tathagata, Arhat, perfect and full Buddha called
Amitayus lives in that Buddha-field; he abides and remains there, and even now continues to
teach the Dharma in that field.
Now, what do you think, Sariputra: Why is that world called the ‘Land of Bliss’? Sariputra,
physical and mental pain are unknown to the living beings that inhabit the world called the
‘Land of Bliss’; on the contrary, they only experience conditions of boundless happiness. This
is why that world is called the ‘Land of Bliss.’
Furthermore, Sariputra, the world known as the Land of Bliss is adorned and enclosed on
every side by tiers of seven railings and seven rows of palm trees, all decked with nets of
tinkling bells. It is made colorful and attractive by four precious substances, namely, gold,
silver, emerald and rock crystal. This is how that Buddha-field is adorned, Sariputra, with such
a panoply of the wondrous qualities of Buddha-fields.
Furthermore, Sariputra, in the world known as the Land of Bliss there are lotus ponds all
made of seven precious substances, namely, gold, silver, emerald, rock crystal, red pearl,
sapphire, and mother of pearl as the seventh. These ponds are brimming with water that is
cool, clear, sweet, light, soft, free from odor, free from disease, refreshing, and invigorating. In
each of these ponds the bottom slopes gently along the shore, so that the water reaches the
right depth in every bathing spot and a crow could drink from the edge of the pond. The
bottom of each pond is covered with golden sand. And all around on each of the four sides of
these lotus ponds four sets of stairways descend into the pools. These stairways are colorful,
elegant, and made of four precious substances, namely, gold, silver, emerald and rock crystal.
And on every side of these lotus ponds grow gem trees, colorful and graceful, made from
seven precious substances, namely, gold, silver, emerald, rock crystal, red pearl, sapphire, and
mother of pearl as the seventh.
And in those lotus ponds grow lotus flowers. Some are blue – intensely blue, or with a
blue sheen, or with a tinge of blue. Some are yellow – intensely yellow, or with a yellow sheen,
or with a tinge of yellow. Some are red – intensely red, or with a red sheen, or with a tinge or
red. Some are white – intensely white, with a white sheen, or with a tinge of white. Some are
multicolored, with a sheen of many colors, or with a tinge of many colors. And these lotus
blossoms are as wide as chariot wheels. This is how that Buddha-field is adorned, Sariputra,
with such a panoply of the wondrous qualities of Buddha-fields.
Furthermore, Sariputra, in that Buddha-field one hears heavenly musical instruments
constantly being played. And the ground all around is golden in color, pleasant to look at. And
in that Buddha-field a shower of heavenly coral-tree blossoms pours down three times every
day and three times every night. And the living beings who are born there travel before their
forenoon meal to other worlds, where they worship a hundred thousand million Buddhas, and
then return to their own world, the Land of Bliss, in time for the afternoon nap, having
showered a hundred thousand million flowers upon each one of those Buddhas. This is how
that Buddha-field is adorned, Sariputra, with such a panoply of the wondrous qualities of
Buddha-fields.
Furthermore, Sariputra, in that Buddha-field wild geese, curlews and peacocks gather
three times every night and three times every day to sing in chorus, each singing with a
different voice. And as they sing, one hears that their voices proclaim Buddhist virtues, such as
the five spiritual faculties, the five spiritual powers, and the seven elements of awakening.
When human beings in that world hear these sounds, their thoughts turn to the Buddha, their
thoughts turn to the Buddha’s teaching, the Dharma, and their thoughts turn to the Buddha’s
Order, the Sangha.
Now, Sariputra, what do you think? Are these birds born as retribution for their karmic
offenses? You could not consider this possible. Why? Because even the names of the hells, the
names of animal rebirths, and the name ‘Realm of Yama, the King of Death’ are unknown in
that Buddha-field – let alone actual birth in any of these forms. Rather, those flocks of birds
gather there to sing with the voice of the Dharma only because they have been created
magically by the Buddha who presides in that field, the Tathagata Amitayus. This is how that
Buddha-field is adorned, Sariputra, with such a panoply of the wondrous qualities of Buddha-
fields.
Furthermore, Sariputra, when the rows of palm trees and nets of tinkling bells in that
Buddha-field sway in the soft wind, a sweet and enrapturing sound issues from them. This
concert of sounds is, Sariputra, like a set of heavenly cymbals, with a hundred thousand
million playing parts – when these cymbals are played by expert musicians, a sweet and
enrapturing sound issues from them. In exactly the same way, a sweet and enrapturing sound
proceeds from those rows of palm trees and those nets of tinkling bells when they sway in the
wind. When human beings in that world hear this sound, they remember the Buddha and feel
his presence in their whole body, the remember the Dharma and feel its presence in their whole
body, and they remember the Sangha and feel its presence in their whole body. This is how
that Buddha-field is adorned, Sariputra, with such a panoply of the wondrous qualities of
Buddha-fields.
Now what do you think, Sariputra? Why is that Tathagata called Amitayus, or
‘Measureless Life-span’? Now, Sariputra, the length of that Tathagata’s life and of the human
beings in that Buddha-field is immeasurable. That is why that Tathagata is called Amitayus,
‘Measureless Life-span.’ And ten cosmic ages have passed, Sariputra, since this Tathagata
awoke to unsurpassable, perfect, and full awakening.
What do you think, Sariputra? Why is this Tathagata called Amitabha, or ‘Measureless
Light’? Now, Sariputra, the light of this Tathagata spreads unimpeded over all Buddha-fields.
This is why this Tathagata is called Amitabha, ‘Measureless Light.’ And, Sariputra, this
Tathagata is surrounded by an immeasurable assembly of disciples, who are all pure Arhats
and whose number is impossible to count. This is how that Buddha-field is adorned, Sariputra,
with such a panoply of the wondrous qualities of Buddha-fields.
Furthermore, Sariputra, those sentient beings who are reborn in the Buddha-field of the
Tathagata Amitayus as pure Bodhisattvas who will not fall back and will be separated from
awakening by only one birth – the number of these Bodhisattvas, Sariputra, is not easy to
reckon. One can only approximate their numbers by saying that they are immeasurable and
countless.
Now, Sariputra, sentient beings should set their minds on rebirth in that Buddha-field.
Why? Because there they will meet persons like themselves, who practice the good. For,
Sariputra, living beings are not reborn in that Buddha-field of the Tathagata Amitayus as the
result of an inferior root of merit.
Sariputra, those sons or daughters of good families who will hear the name of the
blessed Amitayus, the Tathagata, and then will bring it to mind, and will keep it in mind
without distraction for one night, or two, or three, four, five, six, or seven nights – they will be
met by the Tathagata at the moment of their death. When the moment of death approaches for
one of these sons or daughters of good families, Amitayus, the Tathagata, surrounded by an
assembly of disciples and at the head of a host of Bodhisattvas, will stand before this son or
daughter, and this son or daughter will die with a mind that is free from distorted views. After
they die, they will be reborn in the Land of Bliss, in the Buddha-field of Amitayus the
Tathagata. Therefore, Sariputra, as I understand well the meaning of this, I declare: Sons and
daughters of a good family should direct their thoughts earnestly towards rebirth in that
Buddha-field.
Sariputra, in the same way that I now praise that Buddha-field, the Land of Bliss, other
Buddhas, blessed ones, in the Eastern regions of the universe, praise their fields – Buddhas
equal in number to the grains of sand in all the Ganges rivers in every world in the eastern
regions of the universe. Led by the Unmoved Buddha Aksobhya, Sumeru Appearance Buddha,
Great Mystical Mountain Buddha, Excellent Mountain Illuminating Buddha and Wondrous
Voice Buddha, each one of these Buddhas covers his own Buddha-field with his tongue and
then reveals all that is in it. You should place your trust in this discourse on Dharma, called
‘Embraced by All Buddhas,’ which extols inconceivable wondrous qualities.
In the same manner, other Buddhas, blessed ones, in the Southern regions of the
universe, praise their fields – Buddhas equal in number to the grains of sand in all the Ganges
rivers in every world in the southern regions of the universe. Led by Sun and Moon Lantern
Buddha, the Well Known Illuminating Buddha, the Great Blazing Shoulders Buddha, Sumeru
Lantern Buddha, and Unlimited Pure Progress Buddha, each covers his own Buddha-field with
his tongue and then reveals all that is in it. You should place your trust in this discourse on the
Dharma, called, ‘Embraced by All Buddhas,’ which extols inconceivable qualities.
In the same manner, other Buddhas, blessed ones, in the Western regions of the universe,
praise their fields – Buddhas equal in number to the grains of sand in all the Ganges rivers in
every world in the western regions of the universe. Led by Boundless Life Span Buddha,
Immeasurable Characteristics and Marks Buddha, Immeasurable Curtain Buddha, Great
Illuminating Buddha, Great Wisdom Buddha, Jeweled Appearance Buddha and Pure Light
Buddha, each covers his own Buddha-field with his tongue and then reveals all that is in it.
You should place your trust in this discourse on the Dharma, called, ‘Embraced by All
Buddhas,’ which extols inconceivable qualities.
In the same manner, other Buddhas, blessed ones, in the Northern regions of the
universe, praise their fields – Buddhas equal in number to the grains of sand in all the Ganges
rivers in every world in the northern regions of the universe. Led by Blazing Shoulders
Buddha, All-Conquering Sound Buddha, Difficult-to-Injure Buddha, Rising Sun Buddha and
Net of Wisdom Buddha, each covers his own Buddha-field with his tongue and then reveals all
that is in it. You should place your trust in this discourse on the Dharma, called, ‘Embraced by
all Buddhas,’ which extols inconceivable wondrous qualities
In the same manner, other Buddhas, blessed ones, in the Lower regions of the universe,
praise their fields – Buddhas equal in number to the grains of sand in all the Ganges rivers in
every world in the lower regions of the universe. Led by Lion Buddha, Renown Buddha,
Famous Light Buddha, Dharma Buddha, Dharma Curtain Buddha and Dharma Protecting
Buddha, each covers his own Buddha-field with his tongue and then reveals all that is in it.
You should place your trust in this discourse on the Dharma, called, ‘Embraced by All
Buddhas,’ which extols inconceivable wondrous qualities.
In the same manner, other Buddhas, blessed ones, in the Higher regions of the universe,
praise their fields – Buddhas equal in number to the grains of sand in all the Ganges rivers in
every world in the higher regions of the universe. Led by Pure Sound Buddha, Lord of Past
Lives Buddha, Superior Fragrance Buddha, Fragrant Light Buddha, Great Blazing Shoulders
Buddha, Many Colored Jewels and Flower Adornment Body Buddha, Sala Tree King Buddha,
Jeweled Flower Virtue Buddha, Vision of All Truths Buddha, and Such as Mount Sumeru
Buddha, each covers his own Buddha-field with his tongue and then reveals all that is in it.
You should place your trust in this discourse on the Dharma, called ‘Embraced by All
Buddhas,’ which extols inconceivable wondrous qualities.
Now what do you think about this, Sariputra, why is that discourse on Dharma called,
‘Embraced by All Buddhas?’ Those sons or daughters of a good family who hear the name of
this discourse on the Dharma and remember the names of these Buddhas, blessed ones, will all
be embraced by all these Buddhas and will never retreat in their pursuit of unsurpassable,
perfect and full awakening. Therefore, Sariputra, believe in me, and believe in these Buddhas,
blessed ones; place your trust in us, and do not doubt us.
Those sons or daughters of a good family, Sariputra, who have set their minds on rebirth
in the Buddha-field of Amitayus, the Blessed One, the Tathagata, or those who are now setting
their minds, or will set their minds, on such rebirth, they will never retreat in their pursuit of
unsurpassable, perfect, and full awakening; they have been reborn, are now being reborn, or
will be reborn in that Buddha-field. Therefore, Sariputra, sons or daughters of good families
who have faith should actively direct their thoughts towards rebirth in that Buddha-field.
And, Sariputra, just as I at present here extol the inconceivable wondrous qualities of
other Buddhas, blessed ones, so in the same manner, Sariputra, all those other Buddhas,
blessed ones, extol these inconceivable wondrous qualities of mine, saying: ‘A most difficult
task has been accomplished by the Blessed One, Shakyamuni, the Sage of the Shakyas, the
Monarch of the Shakyas. After he awakened to unsurpassable, perfect, and full awakening in
this Saha World, he taught a Dharma that the whole world was reluctant to accept, at a time
when the cosmic age was in a period of decay, when living beings were in a period of decay,
when views and opinions corrupted human beings, when the length of human life had declined,
when the afflictions vitiated human beings.
This was, even for me, Sariputra, a most difficult task, namely, that after I awakened to
unsurpassable, perfect, and full awakening in this Saha World, I taught a Dharma that the
whole world was reluctant to accept, at a time when living beings were in a period of decay,
when views and opinions corrupted human beings, when the afflictions vitiated human beings,
when the length of human life had declined, when the cosmic age was in a period of decay.”
This was spoken by the Blessed One, the reverend Sariputra, and the Bodhisattvas, and
the whole world as well – including its gods, humans, asuras, and heavenly gandharva
musicians – felt enraptured, and they rejoiced at the words spoken by the Blessed One.