Chapter 5. The Causation for Buddha’s Sermon, Yang Ning’s Lectures on <the Immeasurable Life Sutra>

At that time the World-Honored One looked vigorous and joyful; His appearance pure, radiant, and majestic. The venerable Ananda, at the Buddha’s unspoken holy command, rose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, and fell on both knees. With palms joined, he said to the Buddha, “World-Honored One, You look vigorous and joyful today, Your … Read more

Chapter 4. Bodhisattvas in This World of Saha, Yang Ning’s Lectures on <the Immeasurable Life Sutra>

They all cultivate the virtues of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva-Mahasattva. Equipped with immeasurable Bodhisattva action vows, they stand firm in all virtuous ways. They visit worlds in the ten directions, skillfully carrying out suitable missions. They enter into the store of the Buddha Dharma, arrive on the shore of nirvana, and demonstrate attainment of samyak-sambodhi in innumerable … Read more

Chapter 3. The time and location of Buddha’s preaching, as well as the congregation participating in the Dharma assembly, Yang Ning’s Lectures on <the Immeasurable Life Sutra>

Thus I have heard: At one time the Buddha was staying on the Grdhrakuta Mountain, near the city of Rajagrha, together with 12,000 great bhiksus, who all had acquired great transcendental powers. Such venerable ones included Ajnatakaundinya, ASvajit, Baspa, Mahanama, Bhadrajit, Vimala, Yasodeva, Subahu, Purnaka, Gavampati, Uruvilva-kasyapa, Gayakasyapa, Nadi-kasyapa, Mahakasyapa, Sariputra, Mahamaudgalyayana, Mahakapphina, Mahakausthilya, Mahakatyayana, … Read more

Chapter 2. Explanation of the Name of the Sutra, Yang Ning’s Lectures on <the Immeasurable Life Sutra>

“Buddha Pronounces the Sutra of Amitabha Buddha”, translated from Sanskrit into Chinese by Kang Sengkai in the Cao Wei Dynasty. The name of the Mahayana sutra is “Buddha Pronounces the Sutra of Amitabha Buddha”. The first Buddha in the title of the sutra refers to Shakyamuni Buddha. “Amitabha Buddha” refers to the teaching host who … Read more

Chapter 1. Foreword, Yang Ning’s Lectures on <the Immeasurable Life Sutra>

Hi, everyone. Today let’s begin the study of “The Immeasurable Life Sutra”. Before our commencement, let’s explore the general idea of the text and what to be mindful of while reading this sutra. Initially, the order in which we study the sutras are “The Lotus Sutra”, “The Diamond Sutra”, and “The Shurangama Sutra”, together with … Read more