Amitabha Sutra and Pure Land chants (Namo Amituofo, Nembutsu)

1. 1

   如是我聞：

   Thus have I heard:

2. 2

   一時，佛在舍衛國衹樹給孤獨園，與大比丘僧千二百五十人俱，皆是大阿羅漢，眾所知識。長老舍利弗、摩訶目犍連、摩訶迦葉、摩訶迦旃延、摩訶俱絺羅、離婆多、周利槃陀伽、難陀、阿難陀、羅睺羅、憍梵波提、賓頭盧頗羅墮、迦留陀夷、摩訶劫賓那、薄拘羅、阿㝹樓馱，如是等諸大弟子。并諸菩薩摩訶薩——文殊師利法王子、阿逸多菩薩、乾陀訶提菩薩、常精進菩薩——與如是等諸大菩薩，及釋提桓因等無量諸天大眾俱。

   At one time, the Buddha was staying in the Jeta Grove, in Anathapindika’s park in Shravasti, together with a great assembly of one thousand two hundred and fifty bhikshus, all great arhats well known to the assembly. They included the elders Shariputra, Mahamaudgalyayana, Mahakashyapa, Mahakatyayana, Mahakaushthila, Revata, Chudapanthaka, Nanda, Ananda, Rahula, Gavampati, Pindola Bharadvaja, Kalodayin, Mahakapphina, Bakkula, and Aniruddha, and other such great disciples. There were also bodhisattva mahasattvas: Manjushri, Prince of the Dharma; Ajita Bodhisattva; Gandhahastin Bodhisattva; Nityodyukta Bodhisattva; and other such great bodhisattvas. Shakra, lord of the gods, and an immeasurable assembly of other gods were also present.

3. 3

   爾時，佛告長老舍利弗：

   At that time, the Buddha said to the elder Shariputra:

4. 4

   「從是西方過十萬億佛土，有世界名曰極樂。其土有佛，號阿彌陀。今現在說法。舍利弗！彼土何故名為極樂？其國眾生無有眾苦，但受諸樂，故名極樂。又舍利弗！極樂國土，七重欄楯、七重羅網、七重行樹，皆是四寶周帀圍繞，是故彼國名為極樂。

   “Westward from here, beyond a hundred thousand kotis of Buddha lands, there is a world called Utmost Bliss. In that land there is a Buddha named Amitabha, who is now teaching the Dharma. Shariputra, why is that land called Utmost Bliss? The beings in that land have none of the many sufferings, but experience only happiness; therefore it is called Utmost Bliss. Furthermore, Shariputra, the land of Utmost Bliss is encircled by seven rows of railings, seven layers of nets, and seven rows of trees, all made of the four treasures. For this reason, that land is called Utmost Bliss.

5. 5

   「又舍利弗！極樂國土有七寶池，八功德水充滿其中，池底純以金沙布地。四邊階道，金、銀、琉璃、玻瓈、合成；上有樓閣，亦以金、銀、琉璃、玻瓈、硨磲、赤珠、瑪瑙而嚴飾之。池中蓮華，大如車輪，青色青光，黃色黃光，赤色赤光，白色白光，微妙香潔。舍利弗！極樂國土成就如是功德莊嚴。

   “Furthermore, Shariputra, in the land of Utmost Bliss there are pools made of the seven treasures, filled with water possessing eight excellent qualities. The bottoms of the pools are covered entirely with golden sand. On their four sides, the steps and pathways are made of gold, silver, lapis lazuli, and crystal. Above them are towers and pavilions, also adorned with gold, silver, lapis lazuli, crystal, giant clam shell, red pearls, and agate. In the pools are lotus flowers as large as chariot wheels: blue flowers with blue radiance, yellow flowers with yellow radiance, red flowers with red radiance, and white flowers with white radiance, subtle, wondrous, fragrant, and pure. Shariputra, the land of Utmost Bliss is adorned with such excellent qualities.

6. 6

   「又舍利弗！彼佛國土，常作天樂，黃金為地，晝夜六時，雨天曼陀羅華。其土眾生，常以清旦，各以衣裓盛眾妙華，供養他方十萬億佛；即以食時，還到本國，飯食經行。舍利弗！極樂國土成就如是功德莊嚴。

   “Furthermore, Shariputra, in that Buddha land heavenly music constantly plays, and the ground is made of gold. At the six periods of the day and night, heavenly mandarava flowers rain down. Every morning, the beings in that land fill the folds of their robes with many wondrous flowers and make offerings to a hundred thousand kotis of Buddhas in other lands. By mealtime they return to their own land, eat their meal, and walk in meditation. Shariputra, the land of Utmost Bliss is adorned with such excellent qualities.

7. 7

   「復次舍利弗！彼國常有種種奇妙雜色之鳥——白鶴、孔雀、鸚鵡、舍利、迦陵頻伽、共命之鳥。是諸眾鳥，晝夜六時出和雅音，其音演暢五根、五力、七菩提分、八聖道分如是等法。其土眾生聞是音已，皆悉念佛、念法、念僧。舍利弗！汝勿謂此鳥實是罪報所生。所以者何？彼佛國土無三惡道。舍利弗！其佛國土尚無三惡道之名，何況有實？是諸眾鳥，皆是阿彌陀佛欲令法音宣流，變化所作。舍利弗！彼佛國土微風吹動，諸寶行樹及寶羅網出微妙音，譬如百千種樂同時俱作，聞是音者，自然皆生念佛念法念僧之心。舍利弗！其佛國土成就如是功德莊嚴。

   “Furthermore, Shariputra, in that land there are always many kinds of rare and wondrous birds of varied colors: white cranes, peacocks, parrots, sharikas, kalavinkas, and birds with a shared life. At the six periods of the day and night, all these birds sing harmonious and elegant songs. Their songs expound such teachings as the five faculties, the five powers, the seven factors of awakening, and the Noble Eightfold Path. When the beings in that land hear these songs, they all become mindful of the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Shariputra, do not suppose that these birds were actually born as the retribution for wrongdoing. Why is this? In that Buddha land there are no three evil realms. Shariputra, in that Buddha land not even the names of the three evil realms exist, much less their reality. All these birds are manifestations created by Amitabha Buddha so that the sound of the Dharma may spread. Shariputra, when gentle breezes blow in that Buddha land, the rows of jeweled trees and the jeweled nets give forth subtle and wondrous sounds, like a hundred thousand kinds of music playing together. Those who hear these sounds naturally become mindful of the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Shariputra, that Buddha land is adorned with such excellent qualities.

8. 8

   「舍利弗，於汝意云何？彼佛何故號阿彌陀？舍利弗！彼佛光明無量，照十方國無所障礙，是故號為阿彌陀。又舍利弗！彼佛壽命及其人民。無量無邊阿僧祇劫，故名阿彌陀。舍利弗！阿彌陀佛成佛以來，於今十劫。又舍利弗！彼佛有無量無邊聲聞弟子，皆阿羅漢，非是算數之所能知；諸菩薩眾，亦復如是。舍利弗！彼佛國土成就如是功德莊嚴。

   “Shariputra, what do you think? Why is that Buddha called Amitabha? Shariputra, that Buddha’s light is immeasurable, shining without obstruction upon the lands of the ten directions. For this reason he is called Amitabha. Furthermore, Shariputra, the lifespan of that Buddha and of his people extends through immeasurable, boundless asamkhyeya kalpas. For this reason he is called Amitabha. Shariputra, ten kalpas have now passed since Amitabha Buddha attained Buddhahood. Furthermore, Shariputra, that Buddha has immeasurable, boundless numbers of shravaka disciples, all arhats, whose number cannot be known by calculation. The assembly of bodhisattvas is likewise beyond calculation. Shariputra, that Buddha land is adorned with such excellent qualities.

9. 9

   「又舍利弗！極樂國土眾生生者，皆是阿鞞跋致。其中多有一生補處，其數甚多，非是算數所能知之，但可以無量無邊阿僧祇說。舍利弗！眾生聞者，應當發願，願生彼國。所以者何？得與如是諸上善人俱會一處。

   “Furthermore, Shariputra, the beings born in the land of Utmost Bliss are all irreversible in their progress. Among them are many who have only one more birth before attaining Buddhahood. Their number is so great that it cannot be known by calculation; it can only be described as immeasurable, boundless, and incalculable. Shariputra, beings who hear this should make the vow to be born in that land. Why is this? There they can gather together in one place with all these supremely good beings.

10. 10

    「舍利弗！不可以少善根福德因緣得生彼國。舍利弗！若有善男子、善女人，聞說阿彌陀佛，執持名號，若一日、若二日、若三日、若四日、若五日、若六日、若七日，一心不亂。其人臨命終時，阿彌陀佛與諸聖眾，現在其前。是人終時，心不顛倒。即得往生阿彌陀佛極樂國土。舍利弗！我見是利，故說此言。若有眾生聞是說者，應當發願生彼國土。

    “Shariputra, one cannot attain birth in that land through only a few roots of goodness, merits, and favorable conditions. Shariputra, if a good man or good woman hears of Amitabha Buddha and holds firmly to his name for one day, two days, three days, four days, five days, six days, or seven days, with a single, undistracted mind, then, when that person approaches the end of life, Amitabha Buddha and the assembly of holy ones will appear before them. At death, that person’s mind will be free of confusion, and they will immediately attain birth in Amitabha Buddha’s land of Utmost Bliss. Shariputra, I see this benefit, and therefore I speak these words. Beings who hear this teaching should make the vow to be born in that land.

11. 11

    「舍利弗！如我今者，讚歎阿彌陀佛不可思議功德之利；東方亦有阿閦鞞佛、須彌相佛、大須彌佛、須彌光佛、妙音佛，如是等恆河沙數諸佛，各於其國出廣長舌相，徧覆三千大千世界，說誠實言：『汝等眾生，當信是稱讚不可思議功德一切諸佛所護念經。』

    “Shariputra, just as I now praise the benefits of Amitabha Buddha’s inconceivable virtues, so in the east there are Akshobhya Buddha, Sumeru Appearance Buddha, Great Sumeru Buddha, Sumeru Light Buddha, Wondrous Voice Buddha, and other Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges. Each, in his own land, extends his broad and long tongue to cover the entire three-thousandfold great-thousand world system and speaks these truthful words: ‘You beings should have faith in this Sutra Praising Inconceivable Virtues and Protected and Kept in Mind by All Buddhas.’

12. 12

    「舍利弗！南方世界有日月燈佛、名聞光佛、大燄肩佛、須彌燈佛、無量精進佛，如是等恆河沙數諸佛，各於其國出廣長舌相，徧覆三千大千世界，說誠實言：『汝等眾生，當信是稱讚不可思議功德一切諸佛所護念經。』

    “Shariputra, in the worlds of the south there are Sun and Moon Lamp Buddha, Renowned Light Buddha, Great Flaming Shoulders Buddha, Sumeru Lamp Buddha, Immeasurable Diligence Buddha, and other Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges. Each, in his own land, extends his broad and long tongue to cover the entire three-thousandfold great-thousand world system and speaks these truthful words: ‘You beings should have faith in this Sutra Praising Inconceivable Virtues and Protected and Kept in Mind by All Buddhas.’

13. 13

    「舍利弗！西方世界有無量壽佛、無量相佛、無量幢佛、大光佛、大明佛、寶相佛、淨光佛，如是等恆河沙數諸佛，各於其國出廣長舌相，徧覆三千大千世界，說誠實言：『汝等眾生，當信是稱讚不可思議功德一切諸佛所護念經。』

    “Shariputra, in the worlds of the west there are Infinite Life Buddha, Infinite Marks Buddha, Infinite Banners Buddha, Great Light Buddha, Great Radiance Buddha, Jeweled Appearance Buddha, Pure Light Buddha, and other Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges. Each, in his own land, extends his broad and long tongue to cover the entire three-thousandfold great-thousand world system and speaks these truthful words: ‘You beings should have faith in this Sutra Praising Inconceivable Virtues and Protected and Kept in Mind by All Buddhas.’

14. 14

    「舍利弗！北方世界有燄肩佛、最勝音佛、難沮佛、日生佛、網明佛，如是等恆河沙數諸佛，各於其國出廣長舌相，徧覆三千大千世界，說誠實言：『汝等眾生，當信是稱讚不可思議功德一切諸佛所護念經。』

    “Shariputra, in the worlds of the north there are Flaming Shoulders Buddha, Supreme Voice Buddha, Unconquerable Buddha, Sun-Born Buddha, Net of Light Buddha, and other Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges. Each, in his own land, extends his broad and long tongue to cover the entire three-thousandfold great-thousand world system and speaks these truthful words: ‘You beings should have faith in this Sutra Praising Inconceivable Virtues and Protected and Kept in Mind by All Buddhas.’

15. 15

    「舍利弗。下方世界有師子佛、名聞佛、名光佛、達摩佛、法幢佛、持法佛，如是等恆河沙數諸佛，各於其國出廣長舌相，徧覆三千大千世界，說誠實言：『汝等眾生，當信是稱讚不可思議功德一切諸佛所護念經。』

    “Shariputra, in the worlds below there are Lion Buddha, Renown Buddha, Renowned Light Buddha, Dharma Buddha, Dharma Banner Buddha, Upholder of the Dharma Buddha, and other Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges. Each, in his own land, extends his broad and long tongue to cover the entire three-thousandfold great-thousand world system and speaks these truthful words: ‘You beings should have faith in this Sutra Praising Inconceivable Virtues and Protected and Kept in Mind by All Buddhas.’

16. 16

    「舍利弗。上方世界有梵音佛、宿王佛、香上佛、香光佛、大燄肩佛、雜色寶華嚴身佛、娑羅樹王佛、寶華德佛、見一切義佛、如須彌山佛，如是等恆河沙數諸佛，各於其國出廣長舌相，徧覆三千大千世界，說誠實言：『汝等眾生，當信是稱讚不可思議功德一切諸佛所護念經。』

    “Shariputra, in the worlds above there are Brahma Voice Buddha, King of the Stars Buddha, Supreme Fragrance Buddha, Fragrant Light Buddha, Great Flaming Shoulders Buddha, Body Adorned with Multicolored Jeweled Flowers Buddha, King of the Sala Trees Buddha, Jeweled Flower Virtue Buddha, Seer of All Meanings Buddha, Like Mount Sumeru Buddha, and other Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges. Each, in his own land, extends his broad and long tongue to cover the entire three-thousandfold great-thousand world system and speaks these truthful words: ‘You beings should have faith in this Sutra Praising Inconceivable Virtues and Protected and Kept in Mind by All Buddhas.’

17. 17

    「舍利弗！於汝意云何？何故名為『一切諸佛所護念經』？舍利弗！若有善男子、善女人，聞是經受持者，及聞諸佛名者；是諸善男子、善女人，皆為一切諸佛之所護念，皆得不退轉於阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。是故舍利弗！汝等皆當信受我語及諸佛所說。

    “Shariputra, what do you think? Why is it called the Sutra Protected and Kept in Mind by All Buddhas? Shariputra, all good men and good women who hear this sutra and accept and uphold it, and who hear the names of these Buddhas, are protected and kept in mind by all Buddhas, and all attain irreversible progress toward unsurpassed, perfect and complete awakening. Therefore, Shariputra, you should all faithfully accept my words and what all the Buddhas have said.

18. 18

    「舍利弗！若有人已發願、今發願、當發願，欲生阿彌陀佛國者；是諸人等，皆得不退轉於阿耨多羅三藐三菩提，於彼國土若已生、若今生、若當生。是故舍利弗！諸善男子、善女人若有信者，應當發願生彼國土。

    “Shariputra, those who have already made the vow, who now make the vow, or who will make the vow to be born in Amitabha Buddha’s land all attain irreversible progress toward unsurpassed, perfect and complete awakening. They have already been born, are now being born, or will be born in that land. Therefore, Shariputra, all good men and good women who have faith should make the vow to be born in that land.

19. 19

    「舍利弗！如我今者，稱讚諸佛不可思議功德；彼諸佛等，亦稱讚我不可思議功德，而作是言：『釋迦牟尼佛能為甚難希有之事，能於娑婆國土五濁惡世，劫濁、見濁、煩惱濁、眾生濁、命濁中，得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提，為諸眾生說是一切世間難信之法。』舍利弗！當知我於五濁惡世行此難事，得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提，為一切世間說此難信之法，是為甚難！」

    “Shariputra, just as I now praise the inconceivable virtues of all the Buddhas, those Buddhas also praise my inconceivable virtues, saying: ‘Shakyamuni Buddha is able to accomplish something extremely difficult and rare. In the Saha world, in an evil age of five impurities—the impurity of the kalpa, the impurity of views, the impurity of afflictions, the impurity of sentient beings, and the impurity of lifespan—he is able to attain unsurpassed, perfect and complete awakening and teach all beings this Dharma, which the whole world finds difficult to believe.’ Shariputra, you should know that, in this evil age of five impurities, I have accomplished this difficult task: I have attained unsurpassed, perfect and complete awakening and taught the whole world this Dharma that is difficult to believe. This is indeed extremely difficult!”

20. 20

    佛說此經已，舍利弗及諸比丘，一切世間天、人、阿修羅等，聞佛所說，歡喜信受，作禮而去。

    When the Buddha had finished teaching this sutra, Shariputra and all the bhikshus, together with the gods, humans, asuras, and others of all the worlds, heard what the Buddha had said, joyfully accepted it in faith, paid homage, and departed.

21. 21

    佛說阿彌陀經

    The Amitabha Sutra Spoken by the Buddha

22. 22

    無量壽佛 說往生淨土呪：

    The Buddha of Infinite Life Teaches the Mantra for Rebirth in the Pure Land:

23. 23

    南無阿彌多婆夜 哆他伽多夜 哆地夜他 阿彌利都婆毘 阿彌唎哆 悉耽婆毘 阿彌唎哆 毘迦蘭哆 伽彌膩 伽伽那 抧多迦隸 莎婆訶

    Namo Amitabhaya Tathagataya Tadyatha Amritodbhave Amrita Siddhambhave Amrita Vikrante Gamini Gagana Kirtikare Svaha

24. 24

    誦此呪者，阿彌陀佛常住其頂，命終之後任運往生。

    For those who recite this mantra, Amitabha Buddha always abides above the crown of their heads, and after their lives end they attain rebirth there spontaneously.

25. 25

    龍樹菩薩願生安養，夢感此呪。

    Bodhisattva Nagarjuna vowed to be born in the Land of Peace and Bliss and received this mantra in a dream.

Text: Amitabha Sutra (Kumarajiva translation), Chinese text. Copied word for word from the edition named here

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