觀無量夀佛經 這是佛門净土宗五經之一。 This is one of five of the main Buddha Dharma text books of the Buddhism Pure Land School

1. EneE+rtr,ss.
The Sutra of Yisuali zttrg
The Buddha of
Immeasurable Lengttr of Life
--r iU
rhff#* : 8tJ* BFq[e
Translated into Chinese from Sanskrit
by
KALAYASAS
tr tri+4 : REI ,Erl*tfi
Translated into English from the Chinese Versior
by
BHIKKHU ASSAJI

2. 9l
,- v -?
-:t
ffn jur@ ?-f THE SUTRA OF VISUALIZING
THE BUDDHA OF
IMMEASURABLE LENGIH OF LIFE.
frnft#effi: -.ffi ' Ifrfri#fiaH[Eilr+ , Thus have I heard: Once the Buddha was
'. staying at Rajagriha City, on the Gridhrakuta
i Mountain, with a group of great Bhikshus, twelve
hundred and fifty in number, and thirty-two
AAHNflJEE?ffiF-IH " thousand Bodhisattvas, among whom Manjusri, the
Prince of the Dharma, was the President.
ffiffiE#tfiE-t+' A[qiHE, ffi,llEffi At that time, there was a prince, Ajatasatru by
name, in the great RajaSriha City, who imprisoned
)&wfr.zw. " ttfltT*A*w.ffi, &ffiEtt{E his father, King Bimbisara, in a seven-walled cell,
€n 'ftlj-#€tr '-6'+4.t4" ; by the wicked advice of his evil-minded friend
t Devadatta, and no one of the King's ministers was
I allowed to see him in the jail.
Ettr AefEA' *ffit-'
i*fdffiF, Vaidehi, the Queen, who was greatly devoted
Uffi&+E*rffiWXH ' #ry*#, Rffiffifi' ffi , to the King, washed herself, and car-ried honey and
f,our close to her body, put grape juice in her
DII.T' o
iewels, and sent them to the King secretly.
The King after having taken the honeyed flour
ffiffitE€Nr"pkffi.' *zkffi n' ffi tr SE, and drunk the grape juice, asked for some water
AS*&, HBHOMil&fgE€, Ifi{G€E , I to wash his mouth. Having done this, he joined
his hands palm to palm, saluting the Buddha in
;ltHffis€=wx. 'mF#iS , W*,xffi,J " ffi ithe direction of the Gridhrakuta Mountain, and

3. $q.e&*$,!E 92 THE SUTRA OF VISUALIZING THE BUDDHA 2
H&s{nHEm'WF.f-ffi' El Et f,nft'&tz seid, "Mahamaudgalyayana is my intimate friend.
I wish that he would be kind enough to come and
fi.. ft&lr€€#'€&fl, BE'#* " give me the Eight Precepts." At that time, the
Venerable Mahamaudgalyayarta, being invited by
ihe King, flew as a falcon to his place claily and
gave him the Eight Precepts. The Buddha also
sent the Venerable Purna to preach the Dharma
for the King.
in€ffifld' ffi,--t n' IFPrg' 4+liiji*,lt The King lived for three times seven days
gr honey and flour, and thus he was enabled to
, ffi&tl'Wo bear the Dharma. His countenance was, however,
very calm and peaceful (in spite of his miserable
condition).
IHEf6+f1# : [i{{4#t&+itrr.l 7
ffiF the
At that time, Prince Ajatasatru inquired of
jailor, "Is my father, the King, still alive?"
J ffi+f1AHF : trt- ! Et*49'4*r''ti' The jailor replied, "Oh, Great Prince, the old
Queen carries honey and flour close to her body
ry*ffiffi. ' f'5,H-h.s ; IbflH$e.*df$#$' 'tt::P. and puts fruit juice in her jewels, and sends them
secretly to the King as his fmd. Srmana Maha-
ffiX' RE#E' 6oj#ftU o J FFojH{jtEflrft;Ar maudgalyayana and Srmana Purna come here
E , KFffIH : tr*tE€ffi' 9qffiF,f+ ; i4fl,tq flying, to preach the Law to the King; and I am
not able to keep them away." On hearing these
,t, *l*IEd'r ; flL#E?aTnJ ! CFf,flJftiJ words, Ajatasatru was very angry with his mother
,and said in a temper, "My mother is a thief. She
, ffi#48" 'keeps company with thieves. Srmanas are evil
they have performed magic to make this
icvil king live for so long a time." Thus he tmk a
sharp sword and was about to injure his mother.
But there were two sagacious ministers of the
w+.-traan*-, MBA&E ' hWE*, Court, one of whom was called Moon-Light and
FE'hfH , HE : IltE ! EHEJT['c;ftf;Sffi' J', Jiva was the other one's name. They saluted the

4. #{,,9**oFf.s 93 THE SUTRA OF VISUALIZING THE BUDDHA 3
4nflX., A##s'€'Eltfffi , #EX?-Hn Prince and said, "Oh, Prince, we have read the
!&a, in which it is recorded, ,There were many
+' *gEf,affiiHgEt " E+Bj,LL#UZ+' iT evil kings who killed their fathers and enthroned
themselves, at the beginning of history, eighteen
*ilftjf$, Eff'Ef, , €rEF€ffi "*.€'6F:6;ff.tr tbousand in number.' But we have never heard of
[L.J a single one who has killed his mother. Now you
are going to kill your mother: such an unheard-of
treacherous deed would stigmatize the whole
Ksatriya race. We do not wish to hear that you
are going to be a Candara, and we do not desire
to stay in this country."
ffi-7tE#tk*H.' u+&ffi ' *[fiffi'E " When they had uttered these words, they put
their hands on the handles of their swords and
HF'lHjt' EE*A : [&6F&1F
H'Flttg'ffi ' were about to retreat. Then Ajatasatr-u was
alarmed and said to Jiva, "Are you gentlemen no
7JE*AEz ftE!tEHgB!J bnger in favour of me?" To this Jiva replied,
'Great Prince, you must behave well and not kili
your mother."
EE+lIlL;*' {s,ffi*&' clsfF#ffi ' rh6*f+ On hearing this exhortation, the prince repented
ard asked their pardon. He cast away his weapon
" 49)#EE' ' EFEiKE '44'61 o
and did not injure his mother. But he gave ord.er
tbat his mother should be incarcerated in the inner
- part of the palace, and should not be allowed
to
i oume out again.
ii, Then, Vaidehi, the Queen, became very sorry
Fe+efr , &wffifl '#Efffit# '&fiaw -
::Jd h"gg*a in the prison. She saluted the Buddha
ffidrFf#'ffffi 'ffifFftA : [fn*tk&'&Ez
: h the direction of the
Gridhrakuta Mountain and
:!raid, "fh" giesr.d One, in former times, used to
F, E€m#Xtrf"i* ; ffi4VJ.N,8€.ffi,6' $;!tod the Venerable Ananda to come and see me
ttly. Now I am in great lamentation and
#H4+tr 'm€HE€#EWW#"ffiF.. ! lF& go to see the Buddha. I hope the Blessed

5. ,r1js€+/4.4E 94 THE SUTRA OF VISUALIZING THE BUDDHA 4
E*E ' 7$ifffiiF, Erfii{dfirrH. Qne rvill kindly send the Venerable Nlahamaud-
galyayeurra and the renelable An..rrda to come and
see me." She murmured these ll-olds rvith tears
in her e-ves; and she saluted the Buddha again.
**Eq'ffiffitr€&€H'*',t ' l'*-{j{ ' Before she had raised her head up from
prostration, the LlLrddha on the (ilidhrakuta iVlountain
,L,ZFfrft , EIJ IFI*..H &*E&.DJ ['J *Ff€+-irlJ rh " had read her mind. So I{e sent the /enerable
lVlahan-raudgall ay-ana and the Venerable Ananda
to see her. They rn-ent to the palace b-v their
supernatul'al Porret'.
f i'uf*ilWtlii. ' rEErH ' ffi#f.ltfrii'tiI I The Buddha disappeared from the (]ridhrakuta
t{ssntain and reappeared in the palace where the
' gqi-EE€f+fu+E lfr ' hKl>8, ' 4: rllf{:-li Queen was irnprisoned. When Vaidehi had just
raised her head, she saw the Blessed One,
+' Eli$f+tr ' F*-l*Hf-+fr ' F+tr#itiil'X' t'it Sakyamuni Ruddha, rvhose body was of a golden-
*^4 , *ffiX+' fsHHF. purple colour, sitting on a lotus florver that was
constituted of a hundred kinds of valuaLrle jewels.
The Venerable N{ahamaudgalyayan:l was standing
on His left, and the Venerable Ananda on His
right. The gods of the Brahmin heaven and many
tutelary devas were present in the air. There
were many heavenly florvers pouring dorvn from
the sky as offerings to the Buddha.
Then Vaidehi, on seeing the Buddha, took
ffi€f*a*1#1t€ ' H*6ry*, +!qI "w,' from her neck a string of jervels, ivhich she offered
aaif r6r'f# ' HE : ftt€ ! fiffi'f'l5F' A.tlb*i i' to Him. She prostrated herself before Him and
said with sobs, "Blessed One, what is the wrong
? E€ l'&H til+EW' WtL:#l.s?j'+ffir$tr'/ that I must have done in my previous lives to
PEffiE€, F*tH=#ftEt$tr' &H'th+^' 4* have such an unfilial son? And what is the cause
of Devadatta's being a relative of the Blessed
Hi+fEi&Ktt& " tttlfrgE' qUHffi E# 4.#ir+q One? I hope the Blessed One will tell me of sorne

6. 'r'ii$€+/&3.s 95 THE SUTRA OF VISUALIZiNG THE BUDDHA 5
' 46#K" mft*X6ffiK4,6EF.A' + place, where there are no sorrow and no trouble,
where I would like to be reborn. For I am
disgusted with this Jambudvipa, the dirty and evil
eftffiF*ffi" J
world, full of hells, ghosts and animals and ail evil
things. I wish in my future life that I shouid never
hear evil sounds and never see evil persons. Now
t prostrate myself before the Illessed One and I
repent of my e'ril acts, done in the past. fuIay the
Buddha, the Srrn, teach me how to visualize the
Place of Pure Karma."
mffi ' E€ffiEHYf, ' +Je+e Then the Blessed One emitted from the
"iRW+)j middle of his eyebrows a ray, golden in colour,
illuminating the numerous worlds in the ten
quarters. It returned to the Buddha's head, becoming
fr#tfr'tFDEl-* ' Efttrln " *HW*-' -LH.A a golden platform, on which all the Buddhas' Pure
ffi,; 'IEHW*.' f;f;€S#; 'IEHW*^' frEH&X Lands appeared. Some of (the Buddhas' countries
in the ray) were composed of the seven jewels;
E ; rrtrHW+.' rtn&Wffi,; *fiW+. , gft+ln some of them were full of lotus flowers; some of
them were as happy as heavens; and some of
" Hfinft€'ffi8#{#E*' ' ffiffiF]ffi' +FtE# them were as clean as crystal. Such numerous
flo Buddhas'countries of the ten euarters appeared
in the ray of the Blessed One. They were all
visible, so Vaidehi was able to see them.
tref,EA'H IfrE z fEe I E#{.fr*., WtF. Then Vaidehi said to the Buddha, "Blessed
One, although these courltries are pure and
tlrilliant, I wish to be reborn in the Most Happy
p$mfr€+t*,Etft, World of Amita Buddha. May the Blessed One
ff' #*EP " j have compassion on me and teach me how to
meditate upon that World rightly."
ffitr, ft&CfiWMX' Hfr&Jt' 0trffin ffi Then the Blessed One smiled, and from his
,
--)tF,Rffi44ffiIlEi n 6F , X+W&Wffi mouth he radiated a five-coloured ray which he

7. ,fZ*& *tt,t* 96 THE SUTRA OF VISUALIZING THE BUDDHA 6
' ,[,.HRffH' &-F,E€' FIE,fffH' Et*&18*El4 cast upon Bimbisara, the I(ing, who was in the
seven-walled ceil. Although, he was imprisoned,
[Er*[.ft. his mind was free and undisturbed. He saluted
the Blessed One (on seeing the ray; and at that
moment) he gained the Saintly State of Anagamin.
ffiffi' E€€€fEfr : ftk+finzK? Fldffitri:
Then the Rlessed One toid raidehi, "l)o you
,know, Vaidehi, that Amita lluddha is not apart
lfr , *ttLT€, itHffft, ,*rtW&Ei$+ft# " from you, when you have concentrated your mind
and have accomplished the r'isuaiizations that I am
going to teach you and :Llso those u'ho, in the
future, will desire to be reborr in the Pure Land?
f'&.eLEW# ' HI6=nE : -.# .48'll:l "One who w-ishes to be reborl in the Pure
Land should cultivate the Three Virtues. They
' $$t6g ' #,t].4ti , Ib+#X; =8. *f.? 41s, firstly, supporting one's parents, respecting one's
3ffi ' ntr/fflfi., 4^uffi,ffi ; a#, ftgf,ft,1. , teachers, refraining from killing living beings, and
doing the Ten Good Deeds; secondly, taking the
iK'fFK*' ffi;mt* 'W1rcft-E " frntb=#, f,- Three Refuges, and observing the Precepts per-
fectly; and thirdly, cherishing the Bodhi-mind,
€F#. J believing the Larv of Cause and trffect and
encouraging others to do good. These three are
called the Pure Deeds."
ffifrefEfr : Vtk+*la.? rw=tfrX, rrf, The Buddha asked Vaidehi, "Do you know
that these three Pure Deeds are the pure deeds
t$* . *X . fr.E '=tr;fff iS*EEl o J and Right Causes of all the Iluddhas of the three
periods-the past, the present and the future?"
He then spoke to the Venerable Ananda and
ffiE!{WFcefEfr: htrH !;F# ! #,Efr Vaidehi, saying, "Listen! Listenl And ponder on it
2 : fin?ft4#'
ffi**ft*gJ#.4^' €,tF,lf;,iffiZ well. I am going to preach the I.aw of Pure
Karma to ail the beings who wiil be vexed by the
FnE#, ;ftFi$X , #ft€fEft , I*F€rlLS. Thief, Igrrorance, in the future. It is well, Vaidehi,
You have entreated me just in time.

8. 91 THE SUTRA OF VISUALIZING THE BUDDHA 7
're,***0F*.s
fFlI# ! ttH'effi "Ananda, you must spread what the Buddha
'ffiffi&*E#ffi#'frn says to the many. Now I am teaching Vaidehi and
x+8, &E&fr ' k*Nfr'gJ*'.e-' &ftE all the beings in the future how to visualize the
fiffixtrn , D)I#fi&., EffiH0hffil$Elf o fri Most Happy World in the West. You will see the
Pure Land and its happy things by the pow-er of
WHAffi' HHffi&' FIEWL'ffiW#.# r 'l'ffi the Buddha, just as you see your ou-n figure in a
s-8t, ffiFma+ffi4.*K " j clear mirror. When you have seen them, you will
rcalize the State of Quietude."
'f#treffi?F : [itEA*' 'L'f;BH4 '*& The Buddha said to Vaidehi, "You are still a
worldly person, so you carnot concentrate your
mind properly, and hence you have not the power
of clairvoyance to see those Buddhas who are far
oj away. But the Buddha has a marreilous way of
making you see."
Then Vaidehi inquired of the Buddha, "Blessed
-#*.8+ One, now I shall be able to see the Pure Land by
rt&,, F.IFWL; #ffiw&., 'lFsZF the help of the Buddha's power. But how will
those who will be struck by the Five Sufferings be
#' frEFN.iE'
=,fEIH-F,$FJffi
FIffi ffi*ftN? J
able to see Amita Buddha's Nlost Happy World,
at the end-period, when the Blessed One has
passed away?"
l##H#.fr z TlkFc*4.' ffiH+'i'tEfi-- The Buddha told Vaidehi, " You-and all
beings-should concentrate your minds on one point
E' f;Hrtrfi " ftiltTMT n'lFM#' 'U*E and think about the Western Quarter. How is one
to think of that? Anyone who is going to think of
' A)F&E , HHZffi., EHEil.' H€ffifi' that should not be a person borr blind; and anyone
who has eyes must have seen the sun sinking in
the West.
"Sit facing the Westerl Quarter and think
about the place where the sun sinks down. Concen-
, 4ffi.6& ' _F,H'&1f , fifniffiff " hate your mind upon it without being distracted,

9. ft..R€#db*s 98 THE SUTRA OF VISUALIZING THE BUDDHA 8
ald look at the sun sinking, resembling a hanging
drum.
fWF,ElE'ffiHFflFl'ffAWT" "After having seen the sinking sun, you will
see it whenever your eyes are open or shut.
r€trEITB' AHbIJffi," "This is the Thinkirtg of the Sun, and it is
ttre First Visualization.
f4flzK€,, -E 7ki#r6- , /F+FX T , lsto ff "Next you think about water. Notice that
water is very pure and that it is indissoluble.
H. EEF,ltE ' HE;ktfl , _F,;kn*fff , ,fE#ffill,t When you have seen water thus, then think it is
i, going to freeze. Then see that the ice is the same
" ithfflrtE , _EW4Sfi[ , ru4].Rf#, Tfi'Sffilj ,
,$ as crystal, which is transparent. Beneath it there
t ,t" columns, made of gold, inlaid with the seven
;!: jewels, supporting the crystal. Tirese columns
frW , HH.ffrF" --H4 ,H+JIW o *-Jr ,1, hau" eight facets, each of them has one hundred
BE AHW+tr' RIgHffi ' fnffif F, npJF- ii,, diamonds. Each of the diamonds has a thousand
" I ' treams of light. Each of these rays has eighty-four
-tr. ffiHtr-b' , l:1ffi+ilqE ' #Jlrilfdffi , D)-|cffi.X thousand colours. These crystals are as glittering as
hundreds and thouslnds of suns shining together.
, ftHftHA "
--HF 'HfrH&tb, S*{n# They are so dazzling that one cannot see them
totally. On these crystals there are golden ropes
' IMEE , Mffiffif-., rfi)hrfrE. ; interlaid as ornaments. They are separated by
the seven jewels. Each of these jewels has five
hundred colours, whose brightness is as that of
flowers, of stars and of the moon, suspended in
, the air, forming a Terrace of Brightness.
r&ffi+H, _E.HAfr, }AHffiB , &HT| "On that Terrace, there are hundreds and
tlousands of storeyed pavilions, built of a hundred
ffi#H, ffE**S' UF#ffi " zffiEJEt , '1trJt, kinds of je.wels. At the two sides of the Terrace,
EEH , frrlb**S, iH=##. *. ffffi . N*ZE- there are hundreds and thousands of embroidered
tapestries and musical instruments as decorations.
o There are eight kinds of mild breeze coming out

10. ,.n&&*tfr!.E 99
gg THE SUTRA OF VISUALIZING THE BUDDHA 9
the brightness; and it plays upon those
instruments, rvhich produce the sound of the
Dharma of Sorrow, of Transitoriness and of
UnrealitY.
f€trrkf8, Affi-M," "This the Thinking of the Water, and it is
the Second Visualization.
"When this Visualization is completed, see
trrlhfnFlffi , -'W2' ffi+T T " ffi E ljil
them one by one clearly, and do not let them
H' 6+ffift. PEFA€ffi' 'lE'ffitILS o disappear whether your eyes are open or shut'
at eating times.
"Once having attained this Samadhi, one can
F
" &ffitLilffi#Eq0 " #4S3ffi
frnbbffi.#
clearly see the Pure Land, which is indescribable
' tL:rfrWffi, iT ftBA ' 64Fffi "
by words.
"This is the Thinking of the Land, and it is
the Third Visualization."
ffi€FI#: [itff{#;*' F*X1A-aXJr.:4.. The Buddha then addressed to the Venerable
Ananda, "You must hold to the Buddha's words
' 'ffiw#-N'--&.*WWH " Hffi€fu# 'hl+ and tell those who wish to escape from suffering in
the future to think of the Land. Any person who
ffiUhnZE" fht)lfuE' l.&isE-' ,L'+5lffiffi. ,'thinks of the Pure Land will be exempted from
rebirth for eight million kalpas of time' and will
rurdoubtedly be reborn into the Pure Land at his
next birth.
"To visualize the Most Happy World as stated
VIFftW#' Affif.W.; #fifi,W#' hBffiW. J
above is right, it is wrong to do so otherwise"'
The Buddha told the Venerable Ananda' "Next
: f{ilfffi e, 4'WH.ffi
'f#€FilI#' FcHlftfr to the Thinking of the Land is to visu alize the
Jewel-trees. That is to visualize the trees that are
" &Hfi{# ' --W2' lF-tfuft&f{S " --ffi in seven rows. They are eight thousand yojanas
Hn+H " &a&H.{fr ' {H#*' ffi6F.8 "
'-aJ
in height and each of them has flowers and leaves
&ade completely of the seven jewels.

11. &,&&#t*,lE 100 IOO THE SUTRA OF VISUALIZING THE BUDDHA 10
r--+*' lqx€.tr " wHtltr' HA€, "Every flower and every leaf of those trees
W a brilliant hue. A golden ray comes out from
Jt; t&ffi&+ ' frfi€.f ; 6FdS€,+ , ,U@ffijt the agate colour; a crimson ray comes out from
; ffiffi€,tr ' HfftE4)L ; 4BIfiffir$-+n*H.y) the crystal colour; a beryl ray comes out from
the lapis lazuli colour; a green-pearl ray comes out
€R€ft , Wfuq,#ffiffiffiffiL. , H':*:g-- from the beryl colour; and there are rays of coral
-_.ffiI a1d amber colour shining beautifully. There are
ffi " --ffiW, HfrHffi'W#EW. ' lnftTH o
nets made of strings of pearls covering those
trees. Seven of these nets cover each of those
trees. Between the nets, there are fifty million
luxurious palaces, the same as those in the
Brahmin heaven.
trFftXH+' H*#tr . --HT]THffiTE "There are heavenly youths in those palaces;
each of them wears fifty million Muni-gems as
tueJtt#'fiuB E UF'ry*" . +WEJI, fiRE' H 6, ornaments. The rays of these gems shine for a
distance of one thousand yojanas, like a hundred
rt8'frnffiAHffi H E 4FI FBE " *HFdffi , €F-h i, thousand suns shining together (as though their
# , tl#Hffi'ftntHH''**t84."" rt*#.Fi rays were, interwoven. All the rays are of the
finest colour. The jewel-trees are set in rows
H#tD+, +IH *H-?F.R " --{f{*' #ftIH .,. opposite rows. There are wonderJul flowers and
fruits made of the seven jewels between the
lleaves. Each of the branches of the trees is
twenty-five yojanas in length. The leaves have a
'H*W#, 'fGHl?HA€,' rtnfitXffi' ffiffi* thousand various colours, like heavenly pictures.
fd ' lm&#'R , inffif$ffi o There are many flourishing blossoms, golden in
, like turning fire-wheels rolling between
leaves and producing heavenly fruits.
THJ{.JTHA, |LffiTWffi ' ffi.EH# " €H-,H "There is also a great light, which becomes
draperies and canopies. All the affairs of
F 'R4,=+t+84 '-gJ!fr$-" tfrl#W' Buddhas, and all the Buddhas' countries in the
/Fr+4, . -E rrLffifE' 7JFH^ffi--wz' wH quarters, appear in these canopies. When you

12. ifi,*t*@,*.E IOI THE SUTRA OF VISUALIZING THE BUDDHA 11
fel$ . &* . +R' tr#ftBB " [ave visualized these trees, look at them one by
dle: the stems, the branches, the leaves, the
,fowers and the fr-uits, should all be very clearly
visualized.
r€trffi{n'AffiwW," "This is the N{editation on Trees, and it is
the Fourth Visualiztion.
"The next is to think of water. That is, to
f4Hffi7k
"ffM7k# 'ffi#Eli, E'Aru
think of the Water of the Eight Virtues in the
/qo Most Happy World.
[--flU^ ' 'EH.FIrffi,. *H*fq , 4€{nH "This water is composed of the seven jewels,
which are limpid and soft. The water flows out
from the Muni-gems and distributes itself into
Atrtr, }RTHDI#€,+ffi!,l ' UffiEW o *-/q fourteen tributaries. Each of the tributaries has
varied colours corresponding to the seven jewels,
+ 'fi'xfffi-LHs+ ' --s+' FIHrE+f and has yellow gold as its channel. There are
_H€ . SBtrAffiE#H €ffifIT diamonds of different colours at the bottoms of
' " these channels. In each of the water pools, there
are sixty million lotus flowers, round in shape and
hn'elve yojanas in diameter. That Muni-water flows
upwards and downwards along the trees to sprinkle
the flowers.
rx*#Mfu), iHffi# .29 . ffiH . ffiffifi& , "The babbling sound of the water is wonder-
ful. It preaches the Laws of Sorrow, of Transi-
briness and of Unreality, and praises the virtue
'9f
the Buddhas. The Muni-gem emits a golden
EMWJIEA' N)L4LffiHHE..S ' frTP,EHW, ffi lay, which transforms itself into many birds of a
ffifttfr. AIX . ftfg o |rundred colours, chattering delicately, praising the
, the Dharma and the Sangha.
trEffi'rt4ffi7ktH ' Affifr-W,o t: "This is the Meditation on the Water of the
Figttt Virtues, and it is the Fifth Visu alization.
[*HEi , --4l', A'fE'ffiF& " 4 ! "There are fifty million Gem-pavilions on each

13. ii,=L]{tT.&l*,."^y. IO2 THE SUTRA OF VISUALIZING THE BUDDHA T2
&ffitr , A*FEFfiX.' (F7tffi# " vH**S' t$ section of the Land of Jewels. In these pavilions,
there are numerous heavenly inhabitants playing
ffiffi+^ ' fnXHtH '6ffi.HP,8 .ltL*E+ ' !#t music; and there are musical instruments hanging
in the air like tapestries, sounding without being
ftl#, f,E. frltft-tq. beaten or performed upon. All the sounds are
praising the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.
r[bffifiE' &RffiHffi#E4' HffiI . F "Once having attained this Visualization, one
fifi, . Hi& o sees the Most Happy World in outline: the Jewel-
trees, the Jewel-lands and the Jewel-lakes.
r€trfrK&ffi.'affixw" "This is the Main Visualizaticrl, and it is the
Sixth One.
r#F.tLx, hffi€ffi*rtfiE#x ' fr#z "If a person has seen this Visualization, his
€normous crimes of countless kalpas are annulled;
'&.' ,il,H4ft81 "'fF€ffi# ' &RiIEffi,; #fifr,M:A' i and he will certainly be reborn in the Pure Land
after his passing away. One who visualizes in this
' &ffifrf,W" J I way does right, otherwise one does wrong."
'f#f,F-'l# ' F-H&fr: h#;9*;m{*, #,U.€: The Budha told the Venerable Ananda and
Vaidehi, "Listen! Listenl And ponder it over. I
2, EH€tkftntl@.rr-, ' Et#tEiiF ; lA+lH+-l , *rall tell you of the ways to get rid of suffering
i. me by one. You should remember and practise
them well and spread them for the many."
Eft€;gF, ffE#,f# I+n+z+' &EE' t While saying this, the Buddha of Immeasurable
,Length of Life appeared in the air. Bodhisattva
#E' €:t+ ,
t+frtrF.. )bBE**H '6HIX valokitesvara was standing on his right and Bodhi-
Mahasthamaprapta on his left. Their bodily
H'H+W?+*H#€ , T4$FoLt " were so brilliant that one could not see them
Iy.
F++Efr., trffi€#0ffiE-, f*EiFir,g, AIffi Then, after having seen the Buddha of Im-
rable Length of Life, Vaidehi did obeisance
the feet of the Buddha (Sakyamuni) and said
him, "Blessed One, now I am able to see the
:#ffi , *X*,&., H;a'lFI&#E#{#X.=#ffi of Immeasurable Length of Life and these

14. 13 ii:l.#,&+l*a!,9 103
Io3 THE SUTRA OF VISUALIZING THE BUDDHA 13
l1 ? gwo Bodhisattvas by the Buddha's help. But how
fill all the beings in the future be able to
ize this Buddha and these two Bodhisattvas?"
0frE+.Wfr | tr'&WMIfr#'H€ffif,' tA The Buddha told Vaidehi, "Anyone who wishes
-r,Hfu.t, ,fFs#tfl " to visualize this Buddha, should think that in the
I.and of the Seven Jewels, there are lotus flowers.
"Think that each of the lotus flowers has
a hundred kinds of gen-colour and eighty-four
Eq+['](' tr&'fnX€ . fl'l(AnHW+Jt' 7 T ftHA tbousand veins in the petals, resembling heavenly
.gictures. These veins have eighty-four thousand
' ts+;#H" #*zJ.*-' ffiffi-Hrttfi€ " fn !16ys, all of which are clearly visible. The smaller
€S+' FE^HE+* ; *-*H' A'HffiB petals are two hundred and fifty yojanas in length
td the same in width. Each of these lotus flowers
bas eighty-four thousand petals. Betrn'een each of
them, there are millions and millions of Muni-
4nH' 'Lffi.effi gBms as ornaments. Each of the Muni-gems emits
"tffiffiifr,L"
a thousand rays, which are like the canopies,
beinE composed of the seven jewels, covering the
whole Land.
tr#ruFltffilt/nH., DJ€+E, tth$#H' A "The Land has the Sakrabhilagna-gem as its
,gedestal. This pedestal is decorated with eighty.
thousand diamonds, Kimsuka-gems, Muni-gems
€fi" the nets of pearls.
rA+E}, H*&ffiE.EqtrHB , .-HW .1 "On that pedestal, there are four columns,
each of which is as high as hundreds and thousands
' fnE*Hffit{ffittt, E_bHttr' frn&WXH' Sumerus. The curtains that hang on those
T HfrHffitWWH* DJFut€ft are like those in the Yemo Heaven. Again,
' " --H4-' H are fifty million fine gems embedded on
zH[q+)f, , -'J?IFlHE{++ffi#E o Jr columns as ornaments. Each of these gems has
r thousand rays. Each of the rays effuses
&&, tF4H*,' ffiffi&4?' &rcN$H, *ffih thousand different golden colours. Each

15. #{,,q€+r&*E 104
to4 THE SUTRA OF ViSUALiZING THE BUDDHA 14
iof the golden colours extends throughout the w-hole
Jewel-land, and tal<es different shapes in different
H&4, , ffi|Fffi$" ,places: some are like diamond-terraces, others
like pearl-nets and nulti-coloured clouds. They
change their forms variously in the ten quarters
and perform the affairs of the Buddhas.
rEF#EM, Affi.T&. J
"This is the Visualization of the l-otus petals,
and it is the Seventh One."
'f#€f'Jffi | trfintbD#, €AEffilhF-FI7: The Buddha told the Venerable Ananda, ',This
kind of wonderful lotus flower is formed by the
.'fGlhM
Ffr ffi. " #'&ft'tftLfr#, HftIFltt+Bffi power of Bhikshu Dharmakara's '*'ill. One who
wishes to be reborn in the hrre Land, should think
of those lotus petals. When one is thinking of
t --JN, **S, *-rS , E+fEA " {nfffi them, one should have no other thcughts in the
pind, and should visualize cne article after the
+, El-F,m&" ftM.ffi#, ffiWfrffiffiUtrrUz other: Each leaf, each pearl, each t?y, each
ten'ace, and each column, ate all as clear as
#' 4z'ftH4.ffi#84. when one sees one's own figure in a mirror. When
one has completed this Visualization, one is
released from rebirth for fifty thousand million
kalpas, and rvill undcubted.ly be reborn into the
,Most Happy World.
E +FEW#, &R'FW ;'Ffifu'WX' frF,i$ ; "To visualize them in this way is right; it is
wrong oLherwise."
&.J The Budcrha told the Venerable Ananda and
ffiffFilj#' &.+fE?F :
Vaidehi, "When you have seen what I have just
FJi.rth-BE , zK;*ilF' you should next think of that Buddha (the
ffi " FID)#til? #tfrrtt, ' €*-F h' of Immeasurable Length of Life). Why?
use the body of the Buddha is the Body of
4.,0'ffiF o ^-gJ.* Universe, and it is within the mind of all

16. i'?,4€+ffr3.E t0s I05 THE SUTRA OF VISUALIZING THE BUDDHA 15
[ft{'&+' ,L.tndfiF , E,L',EF€=f:tH "Therefore, when you think of that Buddha,
your mind is the One who has the thirty-two
' x+WVftl' €,L.'[f'fdt' €,1.€dfi " #dtrliF Magnificent Figures and the eighty Virtues. It is
fii&, fft,i'ffiA.' €ttffiH-,['#fi, FF&iA{'f the mind that is to becorne a Buddha; and it is
mind that is a Buddha. The Ocean of the
' *Wlql/irrE' f'l#Efl ' 3ffi=ffiVt " Omniscient Wisdom of all Buddhas grows up from
the mind. Hence you should visualize absorbedly
.tbat Buddha, the Exalted One, the Fuily Enlight-
&rea On".
f ffi!4fr|fr# ,
ftH#t* ' EE ElFf, El , -E --H "One who visualizes that Buddha, should think
d His figure first. Whether one's eyes are open or
&, frnffi.ffffi+€, ' M!,&#t" F.&*fl r ,11,flfl ,dlut, one sees a magnificent figure of a yellowish
gOlden colour, sitting on a Lotus-seat. Having seen
++ffi' TTftBA. -Effi#El ' {H#ff'HqfiH the figure of that Buddha thus seated, one's
fu'HfdtriFU' ;&7tFtrtr' ffiESr, *Hffiffi mental vision is opened and one can see the Most
Happy World clearly: the Jewel-lands, Jewel-lakes,
tewel-trees in rows, over which there are heavenly
qrrtains, and Jewel-nets in the air. All of these
are decorated with the seven kinds of gems. These
things can be seen as clearly as one sees one,s
;"Own palm.
trtJrlt$E,'IEHF.M.-tS+' &Lfrt 8, "After you have seen the things menticned
then visualize a large lotus flower, similar
' fnBfrs#, 4fffE'R "'&(F-f.S#, &lfrfr the previous one, golden in colour, on the left
that Buddha. And think of another one on the
of Him. Then think of Bodhisattva Avaloki-
fnBiiffiF" 'M-Jt#Egffif& , Mfr#.M" sitting on the left one and Bodhisattva
aprapta on the right one.
trjlbffiEtffi ' Iffi#ffi&, EffiJtW' &Jth "When this Visualization is accomplished, the
and the two Bodhisattvas will L" .""n
golden rays falling on the Jewel-trees.

17. $r.k-t+tt ls 106 THE SUTRA OF VISUALIZING THE BUDDHA 16
L' &H-|fr=#W.W''4Eili;fiIftW . Under each of them there are also three lotus
flowers on which a Buddha and two Bodhisattvas
are sitting respectively. Such are seen at every-
where of the Pure Land.
tr lth,Iil,fi tr' -.u#'# Wl TkrH)b FX' &. #'H 4f{ "When one has achieved this Visualization,
one can hear the murmuring sound of the streams
' E[B€# , E:FkWW " Ht ft' fEEii4tE', and see the rays, jewel-trees and sheldrakes and
r,t#Ffif ' frftZF-, lHflr6f$ , hWIE9'iiiA mandarin ducks, whose voices praise the Wonderful
I-aut. Whether one's mind is concentrated or not,
.#6o# ' AH*fE.; #WA# , AFuttrNl." me can constantly hear that Wonderful Law.
YVhatever one hears should be compatible with the
-F,ffi#EJF. Sutras, othewise it is composed of vain thoughts.
If it is compatible with the Sutras, it is indeed
seeing the Most Happy World.
"This is the Visualization of the Figure (of
that Buddha), and it is the Eighth One.
tFftffi#' p*ffiFffi u ErtZ+.' htil* t+ "One who practises this Visualization, is
, ,Rft0fr=s.*. exempteC from rebirth for innumerable kalpas of
J
time and will attain to the Samadhi of Visualizatoin
in his present life."
ffiEFnW, F-€tftfr : firtbtflFlE ' 4H'trirTfit The Buddha told the Venerable Ananda and
Vaidehi, "When you have completed the thinking
€#{# ' htHJffiA. FoI# ! HfiltrEi€Lfr" t;hn described above, then think of the body of the
H + Hffi Ti HXH *+fig. + E' Ifr r.y ffi x +,f.i i,':i rfJJ Buddha of Immeasurable Length of Life, which
is very bright. Ananda, you should know that that
H'fU'lEI'li4H€ , trFdH +,frffiFtW, rtn{'.irt Buddha's body is as bright as hundreds and
thousands of golden rays in the Yemo Heaven. It
ffir! ; lffiELrtnEt?Ft^' fr'g A-BA. tli#+-{L, is sixty rnillion Ganges Rivers Sands yojaqas high.
His eyebrows twine rightwards, (to the length of)
ffiH)Lm ' *n't^Wtlt "'tLlffiHJt, rtnHffi=+)< five Sumer-us. His eyes are as brilliant as the I
Fater of the four seas, and the pupils and white
1

18. t7 4:;,:J+:,i :?(tr!- Io.I THE SUTRA OF VISUALIZING THE BUDDHA 17
are distingui*iable. There are rays
" --lv,$lt , lFtitlitlwwlv.#ffi' ' tjf$i+?fr ,, his eyes
out from the pores of his body. 'Ihe halo
of. that Buddha is as large as millions of the Great
(Groups of) Thousands of Worlds. And in the halo,
there are hundreds and thousands of Reflections of
the Buddha. Each of the Reflections has countless
ttvas as his attendants.
fjlt.'n#idF' €z,{iru{-fE ; *-fH+ ' ff- "The Buddha of Immeasurable Length of Life
has eighty-four thousand Appearances. Each of the
e,('S [q +V]rltttl ; --11+ Appearances has eighty-four thousand (materialized)
"IEH ^HE+tt
; Virtues. Each of the (materialized) Virtues has
Fil
--*tlE ' iFJl{iJ-fi]&'tt-' fttffi#..H ' mq{ eighty-four thousand beams of light, each of them
zFfl$ shines upon all the beings of the ten quarters
"
who visualize that Buddha completely.
"The beams of light, the Appearances of that
Buddha and the Reflection-Buddhas are all so
Iffitfl' +.,L.HR,J ' ntL+.E' e1n+fr-gJ';ftt.fr excellent that they are beyond description. But
one can see them by mental vision in the
" I>)trL;;ft|frh' Afrllf,.-P& " Visualizations. One who sees these things, sees all
the Buddhas of the ten quarters. The sight of the
Buddhas is called the Samadhi of Visualization.
IFftrW#' &W-+tJIfrH ; D)Wffi*tr;'
f "Seeing this Visualization is seeing the bodies
all the Buddhas, and thus one sees the Mind
7JFnlfr'L, ; lfr'L"E' t#7S€ ; ,Dj$f*#fffi;fi * the Buddha. The Mind of a Buddha is the
Great Compassion, out of which Buddhas help all
$o
F ltrwiln#' # r,lhbfr , A.ffi{tfiB'f, :F+ffi 'h "One who practises this Visualization, will be
in the presence of all the Buddhas, and
K. FefrtrX ' ffiHFf.,t]., ' o=fr.&,ft-:B#dfi . the State of Quietude, when he quits his
body. Therefore the wise person should try
visualize the Buddha of Immeasurable Length

19. 18 1:
;,LJ. *t + GY,'.,:|: 108 THE SUTRA OF VISUALIZING THE BUDDHA 18
of Life.
rffi.4lt:.q;+ l'fr'.{i , f€*tHff^ ' lH ijfl/ii liij r'r "One who visualizes the Buddha of Immeas-
urable Length of Life should commence with the
+' ffi+Fjl 7 " tLlfrlj+lA+tllfi' A,'$ l4l+-tfUtt First Appearance. That is to visualize that
, H f*"#$l " u,Iffi-F+,F IN Fi ' Buddha's White Eyebrows clearly. When one has
lfitLl--hlr,I-iii,ifi
seen this Appearance of White Eyebrows, the
i4ll
. {$rJ,jffi-B,;#tfrfft , |;}tlfiUlffsf"l;E . eighty-four thousand Virtues will manifest them-
selves subsequently. One who sees the Buddha of
Immeasurable Length of Life, sees all the Buddhas
of the Ten Quarters, by whom one is promised
(that one will become a Buddha in the future).
fi€trffiiiH *qJf!,r'y +L], f.'Ir')rl&, . "This is the Visualization of Seeing all the
Buddhas, and it is the Nineth One.
ff|Ftrffi# , &ffiit:W; +;Itufln'# ' Af:rr "To visualize it in this way is right, it is
wrong otherwise."
&"J The Buddha told the Venerable Ananda and
't##F i#' .&.jf+ftfi- : trJl,l$E#Ifr ,(i Vaidehi, "After you have seen the Buddha of
,4lrH&ffiJita-#ffi Immeasurable Length of Life distinctly, you should
AHXE ' tti'T6ir.tJtl i^
then visualize Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, whose body
Hffiil(fi'fefi€J ' qX+$,, lrtE?lltk ' iii,ilr flll is eighty million yojanas in height and golden-purple
in colour. There is a natural Small Hump in the
)b' rEi&-ff{-ri€t " FE{)b+ , H{Liil?,tffi' ktr middle of Her head, and near Her neck is a halo,
which is a hundred thousand yojanas in diameter.
f+fu+lA "'-ILlfr , Efr-r:ilL'P'iii, fitElifiii There are fir,e hundred Reflection-Buddhas, all
, y)F,t+-H " WtN.k+ ' Ii:,l6*.!L, *UJ&,+tl' like Sakyamuni Buddha, in that halo. Each of
them has five hundred Bcdhisattvas and many
Ertr4,. Eods as attendants. The five kinds of beings are
reflected in the rays emitted from Her body.
IIF-LE}TTE iIfrNWF€H.' D-{FXffi o Sdffi Ii I "She is crowned with a cnrora made of
Bhilagne-Muni gems. On the corona, there stands
a Reflection-Buddha, who is twenty-five yojanas
'H-ii-l?Iffi, Fi=tfi-frhJ. {fftr*E'6 ' trli

20. 19 ,,n x&+tt,ts 109
IO9 THE SUTRA OF VISUALIZING THE BUDDHA 19
{nP5i5t{HAft.' ffifd€}H, ffitH.e,, IftHnH :Pi ntgtr. Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara's countenance is
E+fq)hry . --;bffi ' E^ff€ftrytrAbifr i of u yellowish golden colour. Her eyebrows are of
" il O" colour of the seven jewels, and they emit
-'iv,lffi ' ffqiLgffiDBt:r-A, ftEHE, iH {i 6ighty-four
_thousand
kinds of rays. There are
j.frtrfr- " r: ountless Reflection-Bodhisattvas as Her attendants.
r$ They appear in the worlds of the ten quarters.
fiH{nftr$#E, H t>)R, j. "The colour of Her arms is of that of a red
^+ffi:twitw,
4%" ;Rry4s+ ,'ry"-gJ##tr+ "*HtEfr- , lotus flower, and they are omamented with eight
1.1 million refulgent rays, in which all
magnificent
trffi*E$+&' +t+F4ft , --+Fffi, EnHE I tnings appear. Her palms are colour of variegated
,t. lotus flowers. She has ten slender fingers. At the
+_na' BlnEtW..--HEz,-SE{*€, r *-@ ,i,top of each finger, there are eighty-four thousand
fi^/;qE+)b' +)h*6€, *fi{-gl . I>)bLH.T .l prctures. Each of these pictures has eighty-four
' thousand colours; each of these colours has eighty-
'+*dl/f.4." ,. four thousand beams of light, which are very soft,
. and light up the whole world. It is with these
hands that the Bodhisattva receives all beings.
rg.EF' ETF.+fiEffif€ , a*ftffifr$ "When She lifts one of Her feet, one sees the
, Figure of One Thousand Wheels on the sole,
,, yhich spontaneously becomes fifty million Light-
zFffilffi Terraces. There are Diamond-Muni flowers scat-
"
tered on the place where She puts Her. foot
down.
"The other Appearances of Hers are as good
and perfect as those of a Buddha. Except
6tE '&f$tJIF,fH ' 6&.8€. ;the Small Hump in the middle
that
of Her head and
.the Figure of the Invisible Cranium are slightly
t from those of a Buddha'
r€trHffiEEgEtrHEH+H" &ffiTffi "This is the Visualization of Seeing the Real
oj of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, and it is the
One."

21. ii'L-.'s€ ,,i+fiy,'tx IIO THE SUTRA OF VISUALIZING THE BUDDHA 20
{4#F I*E : Hi'ry(mfiSru:=-}'jlTffi''7i' Hf i, l* The Buddha told the Venerable Ananda, "One
who wishes to visualize Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara,
ffi 6,.l{'i'f,ir'/'{' ilFI4:Xl'''i' should do so as stated above. Any person who
",ff€m:a' ItJ:i'iiFry{ryt
visualizes Her in this way will not encounter any
trrLZE" fillLli,ffE, tquij+A ' fftJ1$-i;ir1i;'1 ' {rr1
calamities; he can avoid all the results of evil
karma and is exempted from rebirth for numberless
itr;ffim? kalpas. Anyone who has heard the name of such
a Bodhisattva gains much felicity; it is far better,
if one visualizes Her.
"One w-ho wishes to visualize Bodhisattva Ava-
f };H'tfrtflffitltl+ StrFfl ' ft'tfr'1frLV!"i? '
lokitesvara should first visualize the Small Hump
4ffiXffi'tsi{nfrttl 'ifi-l,t t'WZ' f-tif] i' ' or Her head clearly, next the Corona and so forth
{nBl$tr " IFR:tnE , f,,L,'1'tf-'M; }iIbi{fl{t ' :" gradually. One should see them all as clearly as
ts'Fffi " one sees one's own palm. To visualize them in
this way is right, otherwise it is wrong.
f {ffix$4i #ffi ' JIb i+;tr4.L.y-htx'Jrl tt: tttt "The next step is to visualize Bodhisattva
Mahasthamaprapta, whose body is the same in size
&EE' El)Lffi&lT:ltdltl^nJ ' iili- ilfh-l iit as that of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. Her halo
is twenty-five yojanas in diameter and it strines to
H " SHJ1HI , I ji4' l'F,n* fL" H{*:}i',t.
Ir,F. the distance of two hundred and fifty yojanas.
The lieht of Her whole body, which is golden-
' E#++JL. W.' -++LJfi ' U[ tL I' ij
'18,J.Ith+f
purple in colour, lights up all the countries of the
ffi -:+-;l{{#,'{nfrr'hl1T"r,3'tilttf t]Ei,,?:f-JtSiBlt' ten quarters. One can see this, if one has such an
opportunity. Whoever sees the light coming out
of one pore of this Bodhisattva, sees all the
Buddhas of the ten quarters, all of whom are
ptre and brilliant. Hence this Bodhisattva is also
called the Bodhisattva of Limitless Light.
' "She shines with the Light of Wisdom upon
[Dl€#iL ' g.-Ffl-+t] ' ']$iE=6 ' Itl-Jt[ r gll, enabling them to get rid of the Three Evil
Ways, and attain the Supren:e Power of Bodhi.
)t " f-fiftltrlt gffi:' &)<9 f. "

22. 2t ,iL*a+fi,!s. lu THE SUTRA OF VISUALIZING THE BUDDHA Zl
Therefore She is called Mahasthamaprapta (the
Powerful One).
trJttgffiXffi , HfrHH# . --H+' E^
"There are five hundred jewel-flowers on the
C,orona of this Bodhisattvai each of these jewel-
rf tr'HH " --EF " tfr#trfr'6.tEtr.+-, FE flowers has five hundred jewel-terraces, on which
2tr8, Ert+lE " IF,LB# , frnffifiFP'# " f{A all grand things of the ten quarters appear. The
Small Hump on Her head is like a Padma-flower,
#L' H-Hffi,' ffii#JtW, *!fldt$ o an which there is a jewel-bottle, full of light that
shows all the affairs of the Buddhas.
r##HtH, {nffiEE' SffE'E " "The other Appearances of this Bodhisattva
are the same as those of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara.
"When this Bodhisattva is walking, the earth
grffi'fi^ftr-ffiH#. of the ten quarters trembles. Where the earth
--H+, #ffiHffi' fn shakes, there are fifty million gem-flowers. Each
ffi*84 " rlb#ffiAffi' {HEl*., -F91ffi. of these flowers is as rare and excellent as those
in the Most Happy World. The earth formed of
the seven jewels trembles too, when She sits
down.
r,1rf fi JTEAIfr'.II, /' 4.Lfr )VW-,Tfr*I]' "The Reflection-Bodies of the Buddha of
Immeasurable Length of Life and the Reflection-
Bodies of Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta
: Bodhisattvas, which pass down to the country of the
, x%E' E#E#ffi*El*. , n*ry+ ' 4.s Buddha of Golden Rays and up to the land of the
+f.r.'iH#f4E 'E#*&" , Buddha named the King of Light, are gathered
together in the Most Happy World, sitting on
lohrs seats in the air, preaching the Wonderful
. Iaw to all suffering beings.
E |ETLW#' AHWHf,#agW, EffiW "This is the Visualization of Seeing Mahastha-
f%Ttrh+E " &rtLgW#' &ffi*-W" , maprapta Bodhisattva, whose corporal form is as
ttated above, and it is the Eleventh one.
f hmtrryrlqBfrff.,EFZ9P' lFftW#.' 6 "One who performs this Visualization is ex-

23. iF"&?41t,!:! ttz THE SUTRA OF VISUALIZING THE BUDDHA 22
i$DH*. " empted from rebirth for numerous kalpas, and will
EXEm 'HW#lf never be reborn from the womb, but in those
Buddhas' Pure Lands.
rrl&fiF' &ffiE.trffi&frFt984. " "When this Visualization is completed, it is
the Completion of Seeing Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva.
trE rlL+F' H'E AH trf WfiffiXftn, "When one has seen all the things stated
above, one should think that one is being born in
tt$++ ' ffiDnH4.' 'fGS+AtH' 'fFS+FFJAII
tlre Most Happy World, sittrng cross-legged in a
o lotus flower; and imagine that the lotus is closing
and opening its petals.
Is+ffiF 'HfrHEJT' f.W.H^N' HR I] "One should then think that, when the lotus
opens, there are rays of five hundred colours
shinin8 upon oneself, and when one's eyes are
open one sees that there are Buddhas and Bod-
ffiFfrffiEH, WHWW, Ft:g$ffiA . hisattvas in the air. The sounds of flowing water,
of birds and of trees, and rhe voices of the
Buddhas, all preach the Wonderful Law, in
accordance with the twelve divisions of the
Dharma.
r#fiftaF ' lHf$7F X' F;fL+F.' an "Even when one is not visuaiizing these things,
Gle cao remember them ali without forgetting
ffiE#ffif6*EF. them. Seeing these things is seeing the Most
Happy World of the Buddha of Immeasurable
L€ngth of Life.
r€tr*&ffi, Am+r& o
"This is the General Visualizatron, and it is
the Twelfth One.
[ffi:=a#{# ' IU,HMW,94ffi8-E 'h)<4 "The Buddha of Immeasurable Length of Life
has numerous Reflection Figures. They come fre-
quently with Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta
BodhisatLvas to the person who visualizes Him."

24. qfl"*-E&tt,ts n3 THE SUTRA OF VISUALIZING THE BUDDHA 23
{##F'1# , F-e.Ftfr: [#?ft8,1,., 4.Pr.i1 The Buddha told the Venerable Ananda and
Vaidehi, "One who sincerely wishes to be reborn to
E ' trHHA-f-xl* , ft'MjkL, f,nJiffrtt' the Western Land, should first visualize tlrre sixteen-
ffi€#{# ' HE:M&.' )Fft,rt:&d,nffrk" f iri fot'high figure of the Buddha of Immeasurable
Irngth of Lif.e, standing above the water of a
rtnXffiWflfi' Effiffi# ' tz'+:+ffidL" itr.fflIfrI* pml, as described before. The body of that
Buddha is inconceivable; the mental power of a
, 4+tr€fra- 'W&W0fr, Rtrqffi?
worldly person could not imagine it. But He
performed an act of will in the past that, should
any person visualize Him, he (the person) would
succeed. One who visualizes only His Visage gets
boundless felicity; it is still rnore so, if one
visualizes His Complete Figure.
fFrImfE{#' ilSsfnH' ' &rfi.tt t{trE "Amita Buddha's supernatural [nwer is limit-
&"*H*.h'ffiffi+fr ; fr#,4'4, rLxAJt less; He can appear, in the countries of the ten
quarters, as big as the Universe itself, or as small
; FIHZM' EH+B " HJtIU,Ifr ' &.HS+' as only eight or sixteen feet high. All these
appearances are golden in colour and have haloes,
frnLFF=#, " Reflection-Buddhas and Lotus-seats, as stated
already.
r&EE#W' hXwE',t-4ffi , t-Ni' "The figure of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and
*&.",ltr&E+H , *ilE&EE' *il€t#fl' :*. that of Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva are at
everywhere like that of ordinary people. One knoWs
- gffi B, m {#*,{ L--ut "
p-'l
F-c Which is Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and which is
Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva by looking at the
special figrrres on their heads. These two Bodhisa-
&ffit=&, J
[€ffi*Effi ' ttvas assist Amita Buddha in edifying all beings.
"This is the Mixed Visualization, and it is
ffi#F j# 'F-€.&fr: I'tffi}.HX'):;+i the Thirteenth One."
The Buddha told the Venerable Ananda and
*A.WL&E*, &=f6,1', Clt[F:.rk4-.,fn]l], i$ Vaidehi, "The first division of the highest class

25. ry{&a#fi'ls TI4 THE SUTRA OF VISUALIZING THE BUDDHA 24
of rebirth is this: Any person who wishes to be
reborn in the Pure Land can be so if he has the
F3,t)'# , ,I,&MW " Three Minds. What are they? They are: firstly, the
Mind of Sincerity: secondly, the Mind of Faithi
and thirdly, the Mind of Vows. One who possesses
these three Minds will certainly be reborn in that
Land.
tr'EH=ffi#.h.' H4+1+.+.",1E1+F= ? - - "Again, there are three kinds of beings who
can be reborn in that Land. Who are they? They
are: firstly, those who, having a compassionate mind,
g; _::ElETrXft " iEl[fiJ&m' ffi&{&El ; trrL do not kill living beings and vrho obser-ve the
Precepts; secondly, those who read and study the
LhlE.'
- H l, E-t E' Ell'&'t*.& " Mahayana Sutras; and thirdly, those who practise
the Six Thoughts. Those who have these virtues
and are willing to be reborn in the Pure Land can
be so, within one to seven days.
[4.18trF' l]LAm€Bmffi.' $Eldff F'rlfn* "when a person is borl in that Land, on
account of his diligent practice of the Dharma,
' g4ffittF , X%#^, ffi-W|Llfr, H*ttE' & he sees Amita Buddha, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva,
Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, many Reflection-
Buddhas, hundreds and thousands of Bhikshus and
+ffitjE, WX%4#ffi ' Eti#d'rj, Fiffi[€'f4rlt Sravakas, and numerous gods and palaces made of
the seven jewels, appearing before him; while
II*HE , ffift#*, 4gG&+:8+* o &EF' Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva holds a Golden Terrace
and comes with Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva
)<ryE- ' 9qf$,&#ffi, ffi#:,nff ' ffii84,1,. o
into his presence. Amita Buddha effuses refulgent
rays upon him; and holds out a hand to receive
him with the Bodhisattvas, while Avalokitesvara
artd Mahasthamaprapta and innurrerable other
Bodhisattvas praise and encourage him.

26. Iii"*-V +lt,!-g u5 ns THE SUTRA OF VISUALIZING THE BUDDHA 25
Efl-.ftJLe,, , u,*ffnsK., Hn .W , *+fillU "When he has seen that, he is very happy
and sees that he himself is riding on the Golden
H.' W|reffi't*.' rtn,i+tF41 ' llEtr:ILNL*l " Terrace, following that Buddha. ln the flash of a
moment, he is born in the Pure Land.
I ' ]LIIF&.!] ' RtnRE ; trL,ifi !,i
h:rfnEXd "A-fter having been born in that Land, he
sees that Buddha's figure, the appearances of
ffi'tl,fFJJf.E; ttnIJ'F{t 'iii;}ttr iE. f.liirl' utj the Bodhisattvas, the rays and the jewel-trees
'Ffit4El*tr, " ft91Ht{fHJ , E$'iJ{ ll1, i,F'J^fi!J{ ' completely; and he hears the Wonderful Law.
When he has heard the Law, he attains the
}Ai#f#dij , Xffi+ftiv,' ffiFAFJ ' ?L.i1$.Aj:i T^[f Bodhisattvaship of Quietude. In a moment, he
visits all the Buddhas in the ten quarters; and he
f;.EICF1 . is promised in the presence of each of ttrem that
he will soon become a Buddha. When he returns
to his own Land (the Pure Land), he obtains
hundreds and thousands of Dharanis.
f trAL,i[l,. 6r " "This is the first division of the highest class
of rebirth.
[-'# tr 4.:X' 6 t',P*]ffi;* rS;lg-d{ " .; "The second division of the highest class of
rebirth is this: One need not recite the Sutras,
W#W, t4t-* ' ,t]'4HEtl , iftfK-R '4,,* but should understand their meaning well and
should not be astonished on hearing the Supreme
Doctrine; and one should believe the Law of
Cause and Effect and not calumniate the teachings
of the Great Vehicle. By virtue of all these, one
can be reborn in the Most Happy World.
FfttLTr#' ftffi#&F' F IffiFeffi , 4r+#Ittl "When a person who does according to what
E ' try:E , ffEt*, trEEE' r.+*AH' is said above is about to pass away, Amita
Buddha together with Avalokitesvara and Mahas-
Efi#Bfr 'ffiA : [E+ ltkftX*'MXt-+n thamaprapta Bodhisattvas, surrounded by a great
number of followers, holds a Purple-Golden-Terrace,
' €*ifi+x{Df*li ! J gq+,ftdfi' -B&T " and comes and praises him, s?ying, 'Son of the

27. 26 116 THE SUTRA OF VISUALTZING THE BUDDHA 26
Dharma, thou hast been practising the Great
Vehicle and hast understmd the Supreme Doctrine.
So I am coming to receive thee.' Thus, that
Buddha and a thousand Reflection-Buddhas give
him their hands simultaneously.
ETrfr H n4bX6H' A1+1+, #,W.nft1fr' "Then he sees himself sitting on that Purple-
Golden-Terrace, with hands joined together and
, ln-is:4I , eFIL0EW " {Hy&,F ' liL"tSH , praising all the Buddhas. In a moment, he is born
r4ltiE*r,' fs-f6Ftjljfl " in that Country, in the Seven-Jewel Pool. The
Purple-Golden'Terrace is as a huge Jewel-flower,
and it opens after one night.
E fr -& t* (r.*w+tr, E-FIF E|*F.,'S4q' "When the flower opens, such a man's body is
of a purplish golden colour; and under his feet
LlY lf Etd. ' &Wfrtyr. , FR:ti & q , Fl Etl Fii BE ' iri there are seven lotus flowers. At the same time,
the Buddha and the Bodhisattvas emit rays which
Bri{ii?4 ' *EiJ*4 , fit#Ei* #-#t"# " B[-j.:e light upon him; and his eyes are thus opened. lle
Ei' iiP*iltA$ , #ffjt€ " hears that all the sounds of the Pure Land are
saying thing about the profound Supreme Doctrine
which he has learned already, Then he walks down
from the Purple-Golden-Terrace, saluting and
praising the Buddha.
trf$r.{{ H' XHffi CF bF4ffi&Slq --ZH,= Sti: "During the course of seven days, he attains
to the State of Samma-Sambodhi and henceforth
' 4$6EiF{i " ffiffiE[t?Na,ty fd€ t^ h , E#;o he will never retrogress again. He is able to fly
Ifr . )i,,$Ul'FIrl6-tlt=p* , ffi,-zj.*j ' 4Sffi *-K. , now, visiting all the Buddhas in the ten quarters
and practising all kinds of Samadhi in their
$iB'rt*fie . presence. After the interval of a small kalpa, he
will attain the Bodhisattvaship of Quietude and be
promised by all the Buddhas that he will soon
become a Buddha.
tr€f,'}.'nF4h# " "This is the second division of the highest

28. n iif,*",i+lt,lE II7 THE SUTRA OF VISUALIZING THE BUDDHA N
class of rebirth.
tr_E.$ITAZ- 'lrt€Wj*, Zni***, 4qtf "The third division of the highest class of
ffi-b.€,L.' UrtLU&,@[rJ, m*A.fe#Eq . rebirth is this: One should also believe the Law
of Causality and have the mind to pursue the
Supreme Doctrine, and should not slander the
teachings of the Great Vehicle. By virtue of these,
one can be reborn in the Most Happy World.
Ftt#fr'fffgF , FJmtFt{#' &.&,EE . li "When such a person is about to pass away,
#E .9q;egE, f++S+ , 4TlEfrHffi, Amita Buddha, holding a Golden-LotusFlower,
with Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta Bodh-
ttLA o frHiLlfr, *F&f. , ffiA tiET ^{!! it isattvas and five hundred Reflection Buddhas, come
' to welcome him. These Reflection-Buddhas give
+ffii$, &ffiriH,L.'fiX{llt ! J him their hands simultaneously and praise him,
saying, 'Son of the Dharma, thou art now pure
and hast the Mind of the Supreme Dharma. We
are coming to receive thee.'
q4b.A#+, 4b.8,+A
trF,ILb+F , ClJHE "Having seen these things, he find3 himself
, wfr&.&., elt4*tr4rHibtr , *[f *& , i] sitting on the Golden-Lotus-Flower that shuts its
petals when he has seated himself within. And
#-Irffi' -t Fl 2F , Ir'&HIfr " E#ELlfrH , );*t then he follows the Blessed One (Amita Buddha)
to be reborn in the Seven Jewel Pool. After one
tHlT "|)'6DB T' ft=t H.&. , TtT A E, " ffi*< day and one night, he sees the Buddha. But he
E4'ErHDiX 'Wffi+fr , ffi€:#ltfr, frnfifr carnot see His whole figure and the Virtues
distinctly until after three times seven days. Then
Bfr ' Ef,EiXE. ffi=2J.ryl ' 45tr'6ryF1 , IIW# he sees them clearly and hears that all the sounds
are saying things about the Wonderful Law. He
fifio will go to visit all the Buddhas in the ten
Quarters to make offerings to them and will hear
the Profound Law in their presence. After ttnee
small kalpas, he will attain the Dmr of Widom
of the Hundred Laws, and stay in the mental