Dharma Stream

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

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

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

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

“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

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