Lectures on the Immeasurable Life Sutra

1. Buddha’s Encouragement to Celestial Beings and Humans in the World of Saha to Resolve to Get Reborn in the Pure Land The Buddha told Maitreya Bodhisattva, gods, and humans, “Bodhisattvas in Amitayus Buddha’s land are beyond description. So peaceful, blissful, and pure is that land! How can one not strive for merit, and not … Read more

4.The Achievements and Merit of Bodhisattvas in the West Pure Land The Buddha told Ananda, “When Bodhisattvas reborn in that Buddha Land speak, they always pronounce the true Dharma in accord with their wisdom, with no contradictions or mistakes. For the myriad things in that land, they hold no concept of belonging or attachment. Without … Read more

1. Innumerable Bodhisattvas in Worlds in the Ten Directions Assemble in the Pure Land, Pay Homage and Make Offerings to Amitabha Buddha, Hearken to His Dharma Teachings The Buddha told Ananda, “Amitayus Buddha’s awesome spirit is boundless. None of the innumerable, countless inconceivable Buddha-Tathagatas in worlds in the ten directions fails to praise Him. Innumerable, … Read more

The Buddha told Ananda, “Those who are reborn in that land all belong in the group of sentient beings that definitely progress on the right path to bodhi. Why? Because in that Buddha Land, there is neither the group that definitely is not on the bodhi path nor the group that is indecisive about its … Read more

VII. The Sounds of Music are Foremost among All the Sounds in Worlds in the Ten Directions The Buddha told Ananda, “A king in the human world is entertained by 100,000 kinds of music, and music is also played in the palace of a Wheel-Turning King and in each of the six desire heavens. The … Read more

I.The land of the Pure Land has no limits. Three evil paths do not exist in His Land. The temperature is neither cold nor hot, but constantly pleasant and comfortable. His land does not have the four seasons of spring, autumn, winter and summer. “His Buddha Land naturally has the seven treasures. Its ground is … Read more

The Buddha said, “Ananda, the bhiksu Dharmakara made these great vows before that Buddha, amid multitudes of celestial maras, Brahma gods, and the eight classes of Dharma protectors, such as gods and dragons. Having made his vows, he intently worked on the adornment of his Buddha Land so that it should be open and vast, … Read more

The Twenty-second Vow After I become a Buddha, if Bodhisattvas from other Buddha Lands who are reborn in my land should eventually fail to be in the holy position of waiting to attain Buddhahood in their next life, excepted are Bodhisattvas who choose not to be in that position because of their original vows, I … Read more

The bhiksu Dharmakara collected the pure actions taken to adorn those 210 koti wonderful Buddha Lands. Having trained himself in this way, he went to that Buddha. He made obeisance at that Buddha’s feet and circled Him three times. Standing properly with his palms joined, he said to that Buddha, “World-Honored One, I have collected … Read more

“At that time there was a king who heard that a Buddha was expounding the Dharma. With joy in his heart, he immediately activated the anuttara-samyak-sambodhi mind. He abandoned his kingdom and throne and became a Sramana named Dharmakara. Exceptionally intelligent and valiant, he was outstanding in the world. He went to World Sovereign King … Read more