SHOSANJODOKYO
THE SUTRA ON PRAISE OF THE
PURE LAND
AND PROTECTION BY BUDDHAS
translated on Imperial order
by Tripitaka Master Hsuan-tsang
of Great T'ang Dynasty
translated from Chinese by Hisao Inagaki
[1] Thus have I heard. At one time the Bhagavat
was staying in Jeta Grove monastery in Anathapindada's
Garden at Shravasti, together with a large
company of twelve hundred and fifty monks,
who were all venerable shravakas and well-known
great arhats. They were headed by eminent
shravakas, such as the Venerable Shariputra,
Mahamaudgalyayana, Mahakashyapa and Aniruddha.
He was also accompanied by innumerable bodhisattvas,
mahasattvas, who were all dwelling in the
Stage of Non-retrogression and were adorned
with immeasurable merits and virtues, headed
by great bodhisattvas, such as Bodhisattva
Manjushri, Bodhisattva Ajita, Bodhisattva
Nityodyukta and Bodhisattva Aniksipta-dhura.
Also in the assembly were a hundred thousand
kotis of nayutas [of devas] headed by Shakra
along with the King of Mahabrahma Heaven,
the Lord of Saha world, as well as the Four
Guardian Kings and others. Many demi-gods,
innumerable heavenly and human beings, asuras
and others assembled and took their seats
to hear the Dharma.
[2] The Bhagavat said to Shariputra: "Do
you know that if you travel westward from
here, passing a hundred thousand kotis of
nayutas of Buddha-lands, you come to the
land called 'Utmost Bliss,' where there is
a Bhagavat named 'Amitayus' or 'Amitabha'
with ten titles, including Tathagata, Arhat
and Samyaksambuddha. He is living there at
this very moment, teaching the profound and
wonderful Dharma to sentient beings to give
them supreme benefit and bliss.
[3] "Why, Shariputra, is that land
called 'Utmost Bliss'? Shariputra, beings in that land suffer no afflictions
and pain but experience only pure immeasurable joy and happiness. For this
reason, that land is called 'Utmost Bliss.'
"Again, Shariputra, in the pure Buddha-land of Utmost Bliss there
are seven rows of jewelled balustrades, seven rows of jewelled tala-trees,
and sevenfold jewelled nets, which surround everywhere and are completely
decorated with four jewels, namely, gold, silver, beryl and crystal. Shariputra,
that Buddha-land is full of such glorious adornments of supreme qualities,
which are most pleasing to the mind. For this reason, that land is called
'Utmost Bliss.'
"Again, Shariputra, in the pure Buddha-land
of Utmost Bliss here and there are many seven-jewelled
ponds filled with water of eight excellent
qualities, namely, (1) pure, (2) cool, (3)
sweet-tasting, (4) soft, (5) moistening,
(6) comforting, (7) quenching thirst, hunger
and many other needs, and (8) nourishing
the senses, increasing the activities of
the four elements and producing superior
goodness. Sentient beings with a large stock
of merits always enjoy using such water.
The bottom of these ponds is lined with gold
sand, and from the four sides of each pond
rise stairs made of the four jewels, most
pleasing to the mind. Marvelous jewelled
trees surrounding the ponds are evenly spaced,
scented with rich fragrance and decorated
with the seven delightful jewels, namely,
gold, silver, beryl, crystal, rosy pearls,
carnelian and sapphire.
"In the ponds, at all times, lotuses
of various colors as large as chariot-wheels
are in bloom. Blue flowers radiate blue light,
brilliance and splendor; yellow ones radiate
yellow light, brilliance and splendor; red
ones radiate red light, brilliance and splendor;
white ones radiate white light, brilliance
and splendor; four-colored ones radiate four-colored
light, brilliance and splendor. Shariputra,
that Buddha-land is full of such glorious
adornments of supreme qualities, which are
most pleasing to the mind. For this reason,
that land is called 'Utmost Bliss.'
"Again, Shariputra, in that pure Buddha-land of Utmost Bliss limitless
exquisite music is spontaneously played at all times. The sound is harmonious
and most pleasant to hear. When sentient beings hear its excellent sound,
their evil passions are completely removed, numerous good acts multiply,
and they soon attain the highest perfect Enlightenment. Shariputra, that
Buddha-land is full of such glorious adornments of supreme qualities, which
are most pleasing to the mind. For this reason, that land is called 'Utmost
Bliss.'
"Again, Shariputra, the ground throughout that pure Buddha-land of
Utmost Bliss is of true gold. It is soft to the touch and refreshing, shining
boundlessly and adorned with rare jewels. Shariputra, that Buddha-land
is full of such glorious adornments of supreme qualities, which are most
pleasing to the mind. For this reason, that land is called 'Utmost Bliss.'
"Again, Shariputra, in that pure Buddha-land of Utmost Bliss, six
times during the day and night, various heavenly blossoms of rare beauty
continuously rain down from the sky. They are brilliant and refreshing,
soft and variegated, pleasing to the mind and the senses. They do not rouse
greedy attachment, but increase countless inconceivable merits in sentient
beings. Six times during the day and night, the beings in that land offer
those blossoms to Amitayus in homage. Every morning they take those heavenly
blossoms and, in such a short time it takes for a meal, fly to innumerable
other lands to pay homage to a hundred, thousand kotis of Buddhas. They
offer to each Buddha a hundred thousand kotis of such blossoms and return
home to the Pure Land, as if to enjoy leisure in a heavenly abode. Shariputra,
that Buddha-land is full of such glorious adornments of supreme qualities,
which are most pleasing to the mind. For this reason, that land is called
'Utmost Bliss.'
"Again, Shariputra, in that pure Buddha-land
of Utmost Bliss there are always many rare
species of beautiful birds of various colors,
such as swans, geese, herons, storks, cranes,
peacocks, parrots, kalavinkas and jivamjivakas.
Six times during the day and night, those
birds form a flock and sing with melodious
and delicate tones, producing diverse sounds
to proclaim numerous wonderful teachings,
such as the [four] mindful acts, the [four]
ways of stopping evils, the [four] miraculous
powers, the [five] roots of goodness, the
[five] powers, the [seven] factors of wisdom,
and the [Eightfold] Noble Path. Having heard
their singing, the sentient beings in that
land gain innumerable merits through mindfulness
of the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, and their
bodies long retain the perfume of virtue.
Shariputra, do you think that the birds in
that land belong to the evil realm of animals?
Do not hold such a view! The reason is that
none of the three evil realms, not even their
names, exist in that Buddha's Pure Land;
how much less should there be real birds
belonging to the realm of animals born as
retribution for evil karma? You should know
that they are manifestations created by Amitayus
so that they can proclaim innumerable sounds
of the Dharma to give benefit and bliss to
sentient beings. Shariputra, that Buddha-land
is full of such wonderful glorious adornments,
which are most pleasing to the mind. For
this reason, that land is called 'Utmost
Bliss.'
"Again, Shariputra, in that pure Buddha-land of Utmost Bliss soft
breezes always blow. When they waft through the jewelled trees and jewelled
nets, wonderful sounds are produced. As if a hundred thousand kotis of
celestial musical instruments were playing together to produce exquisite
sounds, when soft breezes which constantly arise in that land waft through
the jewelled trees and jewelled nets, they produce various excellent sounds,
which proclaim many teachings of the Dharma. Having heard those sounds,
sentient beings in that land give rise to numerous meritorious acts, such
as mindfulness of the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Shariputra, that Buddha-land
is full of such glorious adornments of supreme qualities, which are most
pleasing to the mind. For this reason, that land is called 'Utmost Bliss.'
"Shariputra, in that pure Buddha-land of Utmost Bliss there are wonderful
manifestations such as those, which are innumerable and inconceivable.
Even if a hundred thousand kotis of nayutas of innumerable tongues should
praise their excellent qualities for a hundred thousand kotis of nayutas
of kalpas, each tongue producing immeasurable voices, they would not be
able to praise them to the full. For this reason, [that land] is called
the Land of Utmost Bliss.
[4] "Again, Shariputra, why is the
Buddha of the pure Buddha-land of Utmost Bliss called 'Amitayus'? Because,
Shariputra, the life-span of that Tathagata and all beings living there
last for immeasurable and innumerable great kalpas, the Tathagata of that
land is called 'Amitayus.' Shariputra, why is the Buddha also called 'Amitabha'?
Shariputra, the Tathagata always emits boundless and innumerable rays of
glorious light, illuminating all the Buddha-lands of the ten directions
without hindrance, so as to display Buddhist activities. For this reason,
the Tathagata of that land is called 'Amitabha.' Shariputra, the Pure Land
of that Buddha is full of such glorious adornments, which are most pleasing
to the mind. For this reason, that land is called 'Utmost Bliss.'
"Again, Shariputra, the Buddha Amitayus of that pure Buddha-land of
Utmost Bliss always has shravaka disciples, all of them arhats, who are
possessed of various excellent merits and whose number is unlimited and
incalculable. Shariputra, the Pure Land of that Buddha is full of such
glorious adornments, which are most pleasing to the mind. For this reason,
that land is called 'Utmost Bliss.'
"Again, Shariputra, the Buddha Amitayus of that pure Buddha-land of
Utmost Bliss always has innumerable bodhisattva disciples, all of them
in the Stage of Becoming a Buddha after One More Life. They are possessed
of various excellent merits, and their number is unlimited and incalculable.
Even if one praised their merits for innumerable kalpas, one would not
be able to praise them fully. Shariputra, that Buddha-land is filled with
such glorious adornments, which are most pleasing to the mind. For this
reason, that land is called 'Utmost Bliss.'
[5] "Again, Shariputra, sentient
beings born in that land all dwell in the Stage of Non-retrogression, and
will not fall again into an evil realm, be born in a border-land or in
the state of debased people or mlecchas. They always enjoy visiting pure
lands of other Buddhas. With their excellent vows and practice advancing
and developing every moment, they will unfailingly realize the highest,
perfect Enlightenment. Shariputra, that Buddha-land is full of such glorious
merits, which are most pleasing to the mind. For this reason, that land
is called 'Utmost Bliss.'
"Again, Shariputra, if sentient beings hear of the glorious manifestations
of countless merits in that pure Buddha-land of Amitayus, they should all
awaken aspiration to be born there. The reasons are: first, those born
there will meet those Great Beings adorned with such countless merits as
mentioned above; second, they will enjoy the pleasure of the Mahayana Dharma
intrinsic to this pure Buddha-land adorned with such innumerable merits;
and third, with their own immeasurable vows and practice advancing and
developing every moment, they will quickly realize the highest perfect
Enlightenment. Shariputra, those who are to be born in that Buddha-land
do not have few but already countless and unlimited merits, so such sentient
beings can attain birth in the pure Buddha-land of Utmost Bliss of the
Buddha Amitayus.
"Again, Shariputra, if good men or women of pure faith, having heard
Amitayus Buddha's name of innumerable, boundless and inconceivable merits
and also heard of the glorious adornments of the Land of Utmost Bliss,
concentrate their thoughts on them with undistracted mind even for one
day, two days, three, four, five, six or seven days, then, at the hour
of death, Amitayus, surrounded by innumerable shravaka disciples and bodhisattvas,
will appear before those good men or women and give them compassionate
protection to keep their minds from falling into confusion. Thus, after
death, following the Buddha Amitayus and his retinue, they will be born
in his Pure Land of Utmost Bliss.
"Shariputra, as I perceive that such
blissful benefits are matters of great importance,
I pronounce these words of truth: Good men
and good women of pure faith who hear Amitayus
Buddha's name of inconceivable merits and
also learn of the pure Buddha-land of Utmost
Bliss should all receive [the teaching] in
faith, arouse aspiration, practice the
method as prescribed, and attain birth in
that Buddha-land.
[6] "Shariputra, just as I praise
the innumerable, unlimited and inconceivable merits of the Buddha-land
of Amitayus, so do the Buddhas of the eastern direction as numerous as
the sands of the Ganges, such as Aksobhya Tathagata, Meru-dhvaja Tathagata,
Mahameru Tathagata, Meru-prabhasa Tathagata, and Manju-dhvaja Tathagata.
While dwelling in their own pure lands of the east, they extend their long,
broad tongues and, encompassing with them the universe of a thousand million
worlds, pronounce these words of truth: Sentient beings should all receive
in faith this gate of the Dharma concerning praise of the inconceivable
merits of the Buddha-land and protection by all Buddhas.
[7] "Again, Shariputra, there are
in the southern direction Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges,
such as Candra-surya-pradipa Tathagata, Yashah-prabha Tathagata, Maharci-skandha
Tathagata, Meru-pradipa Tathagata and Ananta-virya Tathagata. While dwelling
in their own pure lands of the south, they extend their long, broad tongues
and, encompassing with them the universe of a thousand million worlds,
pronounce these words of truth: Sentient beings should all receive in faith
this gate of the Dharma concerning praise of the inconceivable merits of
the Buddha-land and protection by all Buddhas.
[8] "Again, Shariputra, there are
in the western direction Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges,
such as Amitayus Tathagata, Amita-skandha Tathagata, Amita-prabha Tathagata,
Amita-dhvaja Tathagata, Maheshvara Tathagata, Mahaprabha Tathagata, Jvalana
Tathagata, Maharatna-ketu Tathagata and Sphuta-rashmi Tathagata. While
dwelling in their own pure lands of the west, they extend their long, broad
tongues and, encompassing with them the universe of a thousand million
worlds, pronounce these words of truth: Sentient beings should all receive
in faith this gate of the Dharma concerning praise of the inconceivable
merits of the Buddha-land and protection by all Buddhas.
[9] "Again, Shariputra, there are in the
northern direction Buddhas as numerous as
the sands of the Ganges, such as Amita-prabha-vyuha-abhijna-buddhi
Tathagata, Mahaskandha Tathagata, Amita-divya-dundubhi-vaishvanara-
nirghosa Tathagata, Jaleni-prabha Tathagata
and Salendra-raja Tathagata. While dwelling
in their own pure lands of the north, they
extend their long, broad tongues and, encompassing
with them the universe of a thousand million
worlds, pronounce these words of truth: Sentient
beings should all receive in faith this gate
of the Dharma concerning praise of the inconceivable
merits of the Buddha-land and protection
by all Buddhas.
[10] "Again, Shariputra, there are
in the nadir Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, such as Sarva-saddharma-darshana-yukti-sada-jvalana-
rajottama-shri-prabha Tathagata, Simha Tathagata, Yashas Tathagata, Yashah-prabhasa
Tathagata, Dharma Tathagata, Saddharma Tathagata, Dharma-dhvaja Tathagata,
Guna-mitra Tathagata and Guna-nama Tathagata. While dwelling in their own
pure lands of the nadir, they extend their long, broad tongues and, encompassing
with them the universe of a thousand million worlds, pronounce these words
of truth: Sentient beings should all receive in faith this Dharma-gate
expounding praise of the inconceivable merits of the Buddha-land and protection
by all Buddhas.
[11] "Again, Shariputra, there are
in the zenith Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, such as Brahma-ghosa
Tathagata, Naksatra-raja Tathagata, Gandha-prabhasa Tathagata, Utpala-shri-kalpa
Tathagata and Sarvartha-darsha Tathagata. While dwelling in their own pure
lands of the zenith, they extend their long, broad tongues and, encompassing
with them the universe of a thousand million worlds, pronounce these words
of truth: Sentient beings should all receive in faith this gate of the
Dharma concerning praise of the inconceivable merits of the Buddha-land
and protection by all Buddhas.
[12] "Again, Shariputra, there are
in the south-eastern direction Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the
Ganges, such as Uttama-vipula-megha-ghosa-raja Tathagata. While dwelling
in their own pure lands of the south-east, they extend their long, broad
tongues and, encompassing with them the universe of a thousand million
worlds, pronounce these words of truth: Sentient beings should all receive
in faith this gate of the Dharma concerning praise of the inconceivable
merits of the Buddha-land and protection by all Buddhas.
[13] "Again, Shariputra, there are
in the south-western direction Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the
Ganges, such as Uttama-surya-prabha-yasho-guna Tathagata. While dwelling
in their own pure lands of the south-west, they extend their long, broad
tongues and, encompassing with them the universe of a thousand million
worlds, pronounce these words of truth: Sentient beings should all receive
in faith this gate of the Dharma concerning praise of the inconceivable
merits of the Buddha-land and protection by all Buddhas.
[14] "Again, Shariputra, there are
in the north-western direction Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the
Ganges, such as Amita-guna-jvalanadhipati- prabhasa Tathagata. While dwelling
in their own pure lands of the north-west, they extend their long, broad
tongues and, encompassing with them the universe of a thousand million
worlds, pronounce these words of truth: Sentient beings should all receive
in faith this gate of the Dharma concerning praise of the inconceivable
merits of the Buddha-land and protection by all Buddhas.
[15] "Again, Shariputra, there are
in the north-eastern direction Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the
Ganges, such as Asamkhya-shata-sahasra-koti- nayuta-vipula-buddhi Tathagata.
While dwelling in their own pure lands of the north-east, they extend their
long, broad tongues and, encompassing with them the universe of a thousand
million worlds, pronounce these words of truth: Sentient beings should
all receive in faith this gate of the Dharma concerning praise of the inconceivable
merits of the Buddha-land and protection by all Buddhas.
[16] "Shariputra, why is this sutra
named 'the Dharma-gate expounding praise of the inconceivable merits of
the Buddha-land and protection by all Buddhas? Shariputra, it is revealed
in this sutra that the inconceivable merits of Amitayus Buddha's Land of
Utmost Bliss are praised and glorified and that all Buddhas, Bhagavats,
of the ten directions, while dwelling in their own lands, display glorious
and wonderful manifestations and pronounce words of truth, urging sentient
beings to receive this teaching in faith, in order to guide and benefit
them and give them peace and bliss. For this reason, this sutra is called
'the gate of the Dharma concerning praise of the inconceivable merits of
the Buddha-land and protection by all Buddhas.'
"Shariputra, if good men or women, who
have heard this sutra, now hear or will hear
it, have already awakened or will awaken
deep faith, they are embraced by those Buddhas,
Bhagavats, dwelling in the ten directions,
as numerous as ten times the number of the
sands of the Ganges. All who practice as
prescribed will not regress but will definitely
attain the highest perfect Enlightenment
and be born in the Pure Land of Utmost Bliss
of Amitayus. For this reason, Shariputra,
all sentient beings should receive in faith
and understand well my words and the words
of the Buddhas, Bhagavats, of the ten directions,
and should make great efforts and diligently
practice as prescribed. Do not allow
any doubt to arise.
"Again, Shariputra, if good men or women
have already aspired or will aspire or now
aspire to the glorious adornments in the
Pure Land of Utmost Bliss of Amitayus, they
will be definitely embraced by those Buddhas,
Bhagavats, dwelling in the ten directions,
as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, even
ten times that number. All who practice as
prescribed will not regress but will definitely
attain the highest perfect Enlightenment
and be born in the Pure Land of Utmost Bliss
of Amitayus. For this reason, Shariputra,
good men and women of pure faith should all
believe deeply in Amitayus Buddha's Pure
Land of Utmost Bliss and aspire to be born
there. Do not be indolent.
[17] "Shariputra, just as I now praise and
glorify the inconceivable merits of Amitayus
Buddha's Land of Utmost Bliss, all other
Buddhas, Bhagavats, of the ten directions
likewise praise my boundless inconceivable
merits, saying: 'How marvelous it is
that Shakyamuni, Shakya Dharma-King, Tathagata,
Arhat, Samyaksambuddha, Possessed of Wisdom
and Practice, Sugata, Knower of the World,
the Unsurpassed, Tamer of Men, Teacher of
Gods and Humans, Buddha and Bhagavat, has
appeared in this Saha world during the period
of the five corruptions: namely, those of
time, sentient beings, passions, views and
life-span, and that, having attained the
highest perfect Enlightenment, delivered
this teaching, most difficult for the world
to accept, in order to guide and benefit
sentient beings and give them peace and bliss.'
"Thus, Shariputra, you should know that
I have appeared in this Saha world of various
defilements during the period of the five
corruptions and, having attained the highest
perfect Enlightenment, delivered this teaching,
most difficult for the world to accept, in
order to guide and benefit sentient beings
and give them peace and bliss. This is indeed
a rare and marvelous task, which is
beyond comprehension. "If, Shariputra,
there are good men or women of pure faith
who, having heard this teaching, most difficult
for the world to accept, receive it in faith,
uphold and expound it to others, and practice it
as prescribed, you should know that such
people are extremely rare. In the past they
have planted roots of goodness in the presence
of innumerable Buddhas. After death they
will surely be born in the Western Land of
Utmost Bliss, where they will enjoy various
glorious adornments and the pleasure of Mahayana
Dharma embodied in the Buddha's Pure Land.
They can approach Amitayus Buddha and make
offerings to him six times during the day
and night. They can also fly to [the lands
in] the ten directions to make offerings
to Buddhas, where they will hear the Dharma
taught by them and will receive assurances
of their attainment of Buddhahood. Thus they
will be able to perfect quickly the merits
and wisdom and realize the highest perfect
Enlightenment."
[18] When the Bhagavat had delivered this
sutra, all the great shravakas, such as the
Venerable Shariputra, and bodhisattvas, mahasattvas,
together with all beings, including innumerable
devas, humans and asuras, greatly rejoiced
at the Buddha's exposition and received it
in faith.