In our world of Saha, we may wonder what the Dharma meeting was like when Amitabha Buddha preached in the Pure Land? What kind of teachings did he give to his disciples? From this verse of Shakyamuni Buddha, we can get a glimpse of the grand scene at that time.
First of all, multitudes of Bodhisattvas and gods from ten quarters visit the Pure Land, carrying wonderful celestial flowers, and priceless garments to make offerings reverently to Amitabha Buddha. They pray for the Dharma revelation and blessings of Amitabha Buddha.
The scripture tells us that they reverently circle Amitabha Buddha three times and bow down to Him, saying, ” upon seeing the well-adorned Pure Land so wondrous and inconceivable, we hereupon activate the unsurpassed bodhi mind and may our lands we will form also be such as this.”
These bodhisattvas have spoken our heartfelt wishes. Although we cannot personally visit the Pure Land now, just by hearing about the introduction of the West Pure Land, we hope that the Saha world we live in can be as beautiful as the West Pure Land.
Hearing the inner voices of the multitude, Amitabha Buddha smiles a smile of understanding joyfully. As he smiles, his mouth emits innumerable beams of light, illuminating everywhere in worlds in the ten directions. He then withdraws and sends beams of light circling the bodies of Bodhisattvas at the Dharma Assembly three times before letting them enter into the top of their heads. Bathing in the resplendent light and receiving sabhiseca, the illumination and empowerment of Amitabha Buddha, the entire multitude of gods are exuberant and exultant -this scene is not uncommon in our world of Saha when Shakyamuni Buddha delivers Dharma teachings. In many Mahayana scriptures, one reads about Shakyamuni Buddha emitting light from his head, between the eyebrows, and from the chest to bless his disciples at the Dharma assembly.
While Amitabha Buddha smiles, he performs abhisheka, the empowerment ceremony, and bestowed blessings upon the masses at the Dharma meeting. His light illuminates everywhere in worlds in the ten directions, and then he withdraws and sends beams of light on members at the Dharma Assembly. It is such a magnificent scene that showcases the merits and awesome power of the Lord of Light. Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva-Mahasattva, the top disciple, respectfully bows to Amitabha Buddha and asks, “what is the reason there, Respected Bhagavat, that thou smile? I hope thou can share with all of us.” This scene is also familiar to us. When Shakyamuni Buddha in the World of Saha was giving Dharma teachings, His senior disciples usually raised questions. While answering questions, Shakyamuni Buddha also gave instructions to the disciples present at the Dharma meeting.
We can see that the question raised by Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva-Mahasattva is almost the same as the question asked by Ananda to Shakyamuni Buddha at the beginning of this scripture. At that time what the Shakyamuni Buddha showed was the vigor and joy of His six faculties. Although he did not radiate light to bless the disciples at the assembly, his body and mind were pure and transparent, both clear inside and outside, shining with a magnificent light of merit. The venerable Ananda arose from his seat and asked what was on the mind of the Hero of the World and what extraordinary state that World-Honored One abode in. He expected that the Buddha would share with all at the Dharma assembly.
The hearts of all Buddhas are connected. Buddhas derive great satisfaction from knowing that Bodhisattvas-Mahasattva will complete merits and virtues to form their pure lands to deliver sentient beings, just like our humane parents who see their beloved son growing up quickly to become a pillar of society, feeling fulfilled and gratified that they have not wasted their efforts because their devoted education to their son is finally about to bear fruit. Shakyamuni Buddha shows His contentment towards these Bodhisattvas-Mahasattva by virtue of the joy of His six faculties and His radiant appearance, whereas Amitabha Buddha by beams of boundless light and His knowing smile. A feeling of understanding and appreciation, approval and encouragement, blessings, prophecy and inner accordance towards these Bodhisattvas-Mahasattva all lie in the physical and mental satisfaction and knowing smiles of all the Buddhas.
After giving the sabhiseca, Amitabha Buddha proclaims a speech. He says, “Bodhisattvas who have come from worlds in the ten directions, I know all your wishes. You resolve to form and adorn your Pure Lands. and I now prophesy that you will all attain Buddhahood on account of the vows you have made.” The Buddha then bestows prediction on all attending the Dharma Assembly. The fellow practitioners who have read <The Lotus Sutra> may recall the episode that Shakyamuni Buddha eradicates the idea of the paths of Three Vehicles, instead, supports the idea that Three Vehicles will go One-Vehicle ultimately. He prophesies that all that who have heard <The Lotus Sutra> will definitely attain Buddhahood. Likewise, in this Sutra, when bhiksu Dharmakara in the presence of the World Honored One Tathagata makes the vow to form His Pure Land of Peace and Bliss, the World Honored One bestows upon Dharmakara the prophecy that he will attain Buddhahood and all the vows he has made will be fulfilled. The prophecy made by Buddhas is an affirmation and guarantee for sentient beings to become Buddhas, which often inspires them and boosts their confidence in pursuing Buddha’s fruit and never losing their bodhicitta.
In this part of the verse, Amitabha Buddha explains three points that His disciples should hearken.
- First of all, sentient being shall awaken to the truth. All dharmas, including time and space, are illusory, unreal like dreams, bubbles, and echoes in the empty valley. There is no real existence, no real birth and annihilation, no real variations, no real defilements and purity— possessing such right views, one will surely fulfill one’s wishes and will ultimately form one’s own pure land like the West Pure Land.
- Secondly, on the path of Bodhi, one should know that although everything is empty, “like dreams, illusions, bubbles, shadows, like dew drops and a lightning flash”, they shall engage in all altruistic actions, and accumulate all virtues until they persistently perfect their practice of the Bodhisattva’s path. And if so, I prophesy they will definitely attain Buddhahood.
- Thirdly speaking, Bodhisattvas shall thoroughly understand dharma nature that everything is illusory, empty and has no self. Based on this right view, Bodhisattvas shall learn extensively and grasp all Dharma methods proclaimed by all Buddhas and devote themselves to the formation of their own Pure Lands. They will definitely fulfill their wonderful wishes to form such lands as the West Pure Land.
We have already studied <The Diamond Sutra> and <The Lotus Sutra>. We can see, the teachings of Amitabha Buddha to Mahayana Bodhisattvas and Shakyamuni Buddha to his disciples are the same. So, no matter which worlds the Buddhas are in, they all talk about the truth of emptiness and right views, asking their disciples to cultivate all good dharmas with no attachment to all phenomena, and to learn extensively all Dharma methods. From having the right view of the nature of the void to obtaining a true insight into Buddhas’ views, from understanding the Real Mark of all Dharmas to the attainment of the Real Mark of all Dharmas, one will experience the true freedom from illusions of time and space. This kind of freedom is not just the freedom of applying supernatural powers that everyone understands now. Neither is it the liberation from reincarnation, or the freedom of removing sufferings and attaining joy. The celestial beings in the West Pure Land are born with supernatural powers, infinite lifespan and no more reincarnations.
What they pursue is the freedom and the attainment of Buddhahood on an even profounder level, that is, with the attainment of the Real Mark of all Dharmas and the possession of skillful means of all Buddhas in ten quarters, they enter the illusory realm of time and space to deliver lost sentient beings, or establish their own Pure Lands in response to the awakening needs of sentient beings to benefit them.
In his Dharma talks, Amitabha Buddha instructed the bodhisattvas coming from ten quarters to hear the Dharma that they shall follow the path of bodhisattva under the guidance of the right views of emptiness. Besides, they shall fulfil their vows to study and learn all methods and means without end to deliver more sentient beings in a skillful way and form their own pure lands like the West Pure Land to benefit worlds in the ten directions.
In the verse, Buddha also says that all Buddhas encourage their disciples to visit Amitabha Buddha, to hear the Dharma, accept it joyfully and train accordingly, purify their body and mind quickly and form their own pure lands. All Buddhas will tell his disciples that upon arrival in that well-adorned Pure Land, one will quickly acquire transcendental powers and correct samadhi and will definitely receive from Amitabha Buddha the prophecy of attaining Buddhahood.
By virtue of the power of Amitabha Buddha’s original vows, those who have activated altruistic Bodhi mind and resolve to be reborn in His land will receive His guidance and all arrive in that Land whenever they chant His Name. Upon arrival, they all attain the spiritual level of no regress. Bodhisattvas in the West Pure Land who make earnest vows to adorn their own lands wishing that their own lands be no different from that land, to deliver all sentient beings. In the twinkling of an eye, they fly to all lands to make offerings to kotis of Tathagatas. After joyfully paying homage to Tathagatas, they return to the Land of Peace and Bliss instantly.
From this part of the Sutra, we can see that it is not Our Shakyamuni Buddha that lauds and recommends the West Pure Land to His disciples, but all Buddhas tell Their disciples to do likewise. Shakyamuni Buddha says that those who do not have roots of goodness and merits cannot hear this Sutra. Only those whose six faculties are pure and who observe their precepts with a concentrated mind will come to hear the true Dharma. Only those who have seen a World-Honored One before will believe in the existence of Amitabha Buddha and the West Pure Land. 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 Sutra. Now that the Internet is so developed, it is easy to hear a scripture if you want, but there are still countless beings who cannot hear what Buddha said. After hearing it, it is even more difficult to believe in Buddha’s teachings, but the most difficult thing is to follow the teachings and train accordingly.
In the following part of the verse, Shakyamuni Buddha has started to praise how powerful the Buddha’s wisdom is, saying that in comparison with Buddha’s wisdom, voice-hearers and Bodhisattvas just like people who are born blind, are unable to fathom the mind of the Holiest One, if they have not yet become Buddhas. Even if these voice-hearers and Bodhisattvas know the truth of ultimate emptiness of all Dharmas, and 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. Only by following the teachings of Buddhas and training accordingly can they understand Buddhas. Only a Buddha can understand Buddhas’ wisdom.
Similar verbal expressions have been seen in <The Lotus Sutra>. In <The Lotus Sutra>, the Buddha proclaims the Ultimate Truth— the wisdom only Buddhas possess. At the beginning of The Lotus Assembly, 5000 monks arose and withdrew. The Buddha says that these disciples have limited blessings and they are too proud and haughty to claim to have obtained what they have not. In <The Lotus Sutra>, because the Buddha is about to preach the highest truth that a Buddha knows, many Hinayana disciples feel what they are learning is Hinayana Buddhism, therefore they stand little hope of seeking the Buddha’s fruit. The Buddha in <The Lotus Sutra> eradicates the idea of the paths of Three Vehicles, instead, supports the idea that Three Vehicles will go One-Vehicle ultimately. Whatever the aspirations of sentient beings have when they set out learning and practicing Buddhism, and whichever vehicle they choose to learn, they are already on One-vehicle of becoming Buddhas and will attain Buddha’s fruit. In the scripture, it is metaphorically said that sentient beings are seeking a deer cart or a horse carriage, while the Buddha equally gives all sentient beings a great white ox cart. The Buddha directly bestows predictions upon all disciples who have heard <The Lotus Sutra> ultimately becoming Buddhas. Yet before such wise predictions taking place, some disciples withdrew.
In <Buddha Pronounces the Sutra of Amitayus Buddha> the Buddha speaks that the Pure Land adorned with perfect merits, reflects the most complete blessing and provision of a Buddha to sentient beings. Amitabha Buddha is afraid that people may miss out on such great benefits due to doubts and disbelief, consequently, He displays a Buddha’s pride, saying that Buddha wisdom is boundless and all should have faith in Dharma. He reminds beings of the great benefits of the West Pure Land in rescuing all those in the flow of birth and death. At the Dharma Assembly, although some Bodhisattvas and Arhats have supernatural powers, their limited supernatural powers cannot make it possible for them to see the West Pure Land. The Buddha tells them that they are not able to see the Pure Land, not because it does not exist, but because their wisdom is far inferior to Buddha’s perfect wisdom. The wonder and supremacy, merits and significance of the Pure Land formed by Amitabha Buddha is beyond description in just a few human words.
The Budda finally tells the assembly that 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 in Buddha wisdom. Those who have heard the Dharma shall put it into practice. If those who energetically seek to hear the Dharma and do not forget the Dharma they have heard and hold it in reverence, they are my good kinfolk and friends, people to have an affinity with and will receive great benefits. In the human world, we call those who have similar ideals and beliefs good friends and those who have blood lineage kinfolk. For Buddhas, those who would hear Dharma and hold Dharma in reverence are Buddha’s good friends, kinfolk and people to have affinity with.
Shakyamuni Buddha continues to say that, therefore, you should resolve to walk through a big fire to hear the Dharma even if the world is in flames, vowing that you will definitely attain Buddha bodhi to rescue all those in the flow of birth and death. Here, Buddha uses a metaphor of “one walking through a big fire burning all over the world to hear Dharma” to indicate the importance of this Sutra to sentient beings in the world of Saha.
Buddha often compares our world of the Three Realms and Six Paths to a house on fire to illustrate the burning fire of desire of sentient beings. We are now rushing out of the house on fire, sitting here listening to the scripture, making vows to become Buddha and save all sentient beings. Making an effort to adorn and form our own pure lands is what “following the teachings and practicing rigorously” is really about.
Here we shall congratulate ourselves on being bound to attain Buddhahood. We shall not miss out on the Dharma teachings and merits bestowed upon sentient beings by Amitabha Buddha and Shakyamuni Buddha.