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, countless multitudes of Bodhisattvas in Buddha Lands in the east, which are as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, all go to Amitayus Buddha, to make offerings reverently to Him and the Bodhisattvas and voice-hearers there. They hear and accept the Dharma, in order to disseminate the Dharma and transform sentient beings. As they do these things, so too do Bodhisattvas in worlds in the south, west, and north, in the in-between directions, toward the zenith, and toward the nadir.” At that time the World-Honored One spoke in verse:
Buddha Lands in the east. Their numbers are like the sands of the Ganges. Multitudes of Bodhisattvas in those lands visit Amitayus Buddha reverently.
In the south, west, and north, in the four in-between directions, toward the zenith, and toward the nadir, multitudes of Bodhisattvas in those lands also visit Amitayus Buddha reverently.
Every Bodhisattva carries wonderful celestial flowers, choice incense, and priceless garments to make offerings to Amitayus Buddha.
Celestial music plays harmoniously, exquisite tones in concert. They praise the Supreme Honored One in hymns as an offering to Amitayus Buddha, who has fully attained wisdom and spiritual power, gone through profound Dharma Doors, and completed his store of merits.
His unparalleled wondrous wisdom-knowledge shines on the world like the sun of wisdom, and removes the clouds of birth and death. They reverently circle him three times and bow down to the Unsurpassed Honored One.
Seeing that his well-adorned Pure Land is so wondrous and inconceivable, they hereupon activate the unsurpassed bodhi mind, each wishing the land [he will form] to be the same.
Then Amitayus Buddha is moved, and he smiles joyfully. His mouth emits innumerable beams of light, Illuminating everywhere in worlds in the ten directions.
The returning beams of light circle his body three times and enter into the crown of his head. The entire multitude of gods is exuberant and exultant.
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva-Mahasattva arranges his garment, bows his head, and asks why the Buddha is smiling.
To the request for an explanation, that Buddha replies, “Brahma sounds reverberate like thunders, The eight tones resonating wonderful melodies, an accompaniment to my bestowal of prophecies upon Bodhisattvas! I now explain and you should hearken.
The Upright Ones have come from worlds in the ten directions, and I know all their wishes. They resolve to form and adorn their Pure Lands and to attain Buddhahood.
Realizing that all dharmas are Like dreams, illusions, and echoes, they will fulfill their wonderful wishes, definitely to form such lands as mine.
Knowing that dharmas are like lightning and reflection, they will eventually complete the Bodhisattva Way, perfect their roots of virtue, and attain Buddhahood.
Thoroughly understanding dharma nature, they know that everything is empty and has no self. Intently seeking pure Buddha Lands, they definitely will form such lands.”
All Buddhas tell Bodhisattvas to visit that Buddha in the Land of Peace and Bliss, to hear the Dharma, accept it joyfully and train accordingly, and quickly attain the state of purity.
Upon arrival in that well-adorned Pure Land, One will quickly acquire transcendental powers and will definitely receive from Amitayus Buddha the prophecy of attaining Buddhahood.
By virtue of the power of that Buddha’s original vows, those who hear his name and resolve to be reborn [in His land] will all arrive in that land and attain the spiritual level of no regress.
Bodhisattvas who make earnest vows, wishing that their own lands be no different from that land, remember and deliver all sentient beings. Their renown spreads across worlds in the ten directions.
To serve kotis of Tathagatas, they fly to all lands. After joyfully paying homage to Tathagatas, they return to the Land of Peace and Bliss.
Those who do not have roots of goodness cannot hear this sutra. Only those who are pure and observe their precepts will come to hear the true Dharma.
Only those who have seen a World-Honored One before will believe this explanation. Humble and reverent, they hear and carry out the Dharma with exuberance and great joy.
For those who are arrogant and indolent, it is difficult to believe in the Dharma. But those who have seen Buddhas in their past lives delight in hearing these teachings.
Voice-hearers and Bodhisattvas are unable to fathom the mind of the Holiest One. Just as a person who is born blind tries to guide others.
The ocean of the Tathagata’s wisdom is deep and vast, without a bottom. Those riding the Two Vehicles can never measure it. Only Buddhas themselves can understand.
Suppose that all people have attained bodhi [through the Two Vehicles] and acquired the pure wisdom that everything is empty. For kotis of kalpas, they ponder the wisdom of a Buddha.
Trying to describe it with all their strength, they still do not know it at the end of their life. Buddha wisdom is boundless, and it brings the ultimate state of purity.
As a long lifespan is hard to obtain. Even harder is to encounter a Buddha appearing in the world. It is difficult for people to have faith and wisdom.
Those who energetically seek to hear the Dharma and do not forget the Dharma they have heard will face that Buddha and receive great benefits. Therefore, my good kinfolk and friends, you should resolve To hear the Dharma.
Even if the world is in flames, then you will definitely attain Buddha bodhi to rescue all those in the flow of birth and death.
Let’s first translate this part into vernacular Chinese.
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, countless multitudes of Bodhisattvas in Buddha Lands in the east, which are as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, all go to Amitayus Buddha, to make offerings reverently to Him. They together with the Bodhisattvas and voice-hearers there hear and accept the Dharma preached by Amitabha Buddha, in order to disseminate the Dharma and transform sentient beings. As they do these things, so too do Bodhisattvas in worlds in the south, west, and north, in the in-between directions, toward the zenith, and toward the nadir.”
At that time Shakyamuni Buddha, the World-Honored One, spoke in verse: Buddha Lands in the east, Their numbers are like the sands of the Ganges. Multitudes of Bodhisattvas in those lands Visit Amitayus Buddha reverently. In the south, west, and north, in the four in-between directions, toward the zenith, and toward the nadir, Multitudes of Bodhisattvas in those lands also visit Amitayus Buddha reverently.
Every Bodhisattva carries wonderful celestial flowers, choice incense, and priceless garments to make offerings to Amitayus Buddha. Celestial music plays harmoniously, exquisite tones in concert. They praise the Supreme Honored One in hymns as an offering to Amitayus Buddha, who has fully attained wisdom and spiritual power, gone through profound Dharma Doors, and completed his store of merits. His unparalleled wondrous wisdom-knowledge shines on the world like the sun of wisdom, and removes the clouds of birth and death. They reverently circle him three times and bow down to the Unsurpassed Honored One.
Seeing that his well-adorned Pure Land is so wondrous and inconceivable, they hereupon activate the unsurpassed bodhi mind, each wishing the land he will form to be the same. Hearing praises, and knowing by telepathy, Amitayus Buddha is moved, and he smiles joyfully. His mouth emits innumerable beams of light, illuminating everywhere in worlds in the ten directions. The returning beams of light circle Bodhisattvas’ bodies three times and enter into the top of their heads. The entire multitude of god, after sabhiseca, the strength-giving ceremony is exuberant and exultant.
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva-Mahasattva arranges his garment, bows his head, and asks why the Buddha is smiling. To the request for an explanation, that Buddha replies. “Brahma sounds reverberate like thunders, the eight tones resonating wonderful melodies. An accompaniment to my bestowal of prophecies upon Bodhisattvas! I now explain and you should hearken.
The Upright Ones have come from worlds in the ten directions, and I know all their wishes. They resolve to form and adorn their Pure Lands and I prophesy that they will all attain Buddhahood. Realizing that all dharmas are unreal like dreams, illusions, and echoes, they will fulfill their wonderful wishes, definitely to form such lands as mine. Knowing that dharmas are like lightning and reflection, they will eventually complete the Bodhisattva Way, perfect their roots of virtue, and attain Buddhahood as I prophesy. Thoroughly understanding dharma nature, they know that everything is empty and has no self. Intently seeking pure Buddha Lands, they definitely will form such lands.” All Buddhas tell Bodhisattvas to visit that Buddha in the Land of Peace and Bliss, to hear the Dharma, accept it joyfully and train accordingly, And quickly form their own pure lands. Upon arrival in that well-adorned Pure Land, one will quickly acquire transcendental powers And will definitely receive from Amitayus Buddha The prophecy of attaining Buddhahood. By virtue of the power of that Buddha’s original vows, Those who hear His name and deeds and resolve to be reborn in His land Will all arrive in that land And attain the spiritual level of no regress. Bodhisattvas who make earnest vows, Wishing that their own lands be no different from that land, deliver all sentient beings who remember their names. Their renown spreads across worlds in the ten directions To serve kotis of Tathagatas, They fly to all lands. After joyfully paying homage to Tathagatas, they return to the Land of Peace and Bliss.
Those who do not have roots of goodness cannot hear this sutra. Only those who are pure and observe their precepts will come to hear the true Dharma. Only those who have seen a World-Honored One before will believe this explanation. Humble and reverent, they hear and carry out the Dharma with exuberance and great joy.
For those who are arrogant, stupid and indolent, It is difficult to believe in the Dharma. But those who have seen Buddhas in their past lives delight in hearing these teachings. Voice-hearers and Bodhisattvas are unable To fathom the mind of the Holiest One, Just as a person who is born blind Tries to guide others. The ocean of the Tathagata’s wisdom is deep and vast like ocean, without a bottom. Those riding the Two Vehicles of voice-hearers and Pratyekabuddhas can never measure it. Only Buddhas themselves can understand.
Suppose that all people have attained bodhi through the Two Vehicles and Acquired the pure wisdom that everything is empty. For kotis of kalpas, they ponder the wisdom of a Buddha, Trying to describe it with all their strength, They still do not know it at the end of their life. Buddha wisdom is boundless, And it brings the ultimate state of purity. As a long lifespan is hard to obtain, Even harder is to encounter a Buddha appearing in the world. It is difficult for people to have faith and wisdom in Dharma. Those who energetically seek to hear the Dharma And do not forget the Dharma they have heard Will respect Dharma and receive great benefits. Therefore, my good kinfolk and friends, You should resolve to walk through a big fire To hear the Dharma Even if the world is in flames. Then you will definitely attain Buddha bodhi To rescue all those in the flow of birth and death.
The above section of the scripture describes how the name of Amitabha Buddha has spread throughout the ten quarters. All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in worlds in the ten directions admire and glorify the great vows, merits, and awesome spiritual power of Amitabha Buddha, and marvel at the Land of Peace and Bliss, so wondrous and inconceivable. They assemble in the Pure Land, pay homage and make offerings reverently to Amitabha Buddha, together with voice-hearers and Bodhisattvas in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, hearken to his Dharma Teachings.