Thus I have heard, at one time the Buddha dwelt at Shravasti, in the Jeta Grove in the Garden
of the Benefactor of Orphans and the Forlorn, together with a gathering of Great Bhikshus,
twelve-hundred fifty in all, all Great Arhats well-known to the assembly: Elders Shariputra,
Mahamaudgalyayana, Mahakasyapa, Mahakatyayana, Mahakausthila, Revata, Suddhipanthaka,
Nanda, Ananda, Rahula, Gavampati, Pindola-Bharadvaja, Kalodayin, Mahakaphina, Vakkula,
Aniruddha, and others such as these, all Great Disciples, together with all the Bodhisattvas,
Mahasattvas: Manjushri, Prince of Dharma; Ajita Bodhisattva, Gandhastin Bodhisattva,
Nityodukta Bodhisattva, and others such as these, all Great Bodhisattvas, and together with
Shakra, Chief among Gods, and the numberless great multitudes from all the heavens.
At that time, the Buddha told the Elder Shariputra, From here, passing through hundreds of
thousands of millions of Buddhalands to the West there is a world called Utmost Happiness. In
this land a Buddha called Amitabha right now teaches the Dharma.
Shariputra, why is this land called Utmost Happiness? All living beings of this country never
suffer, but enjoy every bliss. Therefore it is called Utmost Happiness.
Moreover, Shariputra, this land of Utmost Happiness is completely surrounded by seven tiers of
railings, seven layers of netting, and seven rows of trees, all formed from the four treasures, and
for this reason called Utmost Happiness.
Moreover, Shariputra, in the land of Utmost Happiness are pools of the seven jewels, filled with
the waters of eight meritorious qualities; the bottom of each pool is pure, covered with golden
sands. On the four sides climb stairs of gold, silver, lapus lazuli, crystal, mother-of pearl, rubies,
and carnelian.
In the pools bloom lotuses as large as carriage wheels with colors of green light, red light, yellow
light, and white light, subtle, rare, fragrant, and pure. Shariputra, the Land of Utmost Happiness
is crowned in splendor and virtues such as these.
Moreover, Shariputra, in this Buddhaland heavenly music always plays, and the ground is made
of gold. In the six periods of the day and night a heavenly rain of mandarava flowers falls, and
throughout the clear morning, each living being of this land offers sacks filled with myriads of
wonderful flowers to the hundreds of thousands of millions of Buddhas of the other directions. At
mealtime they return to their own countries and after eating they walk about. Shariputra, the
Land of Utmost Happiness is crowned in splendor and virtues such as these.
Moreover, Shariputra, in this country there are always rare and unusual birds of many kinds and
colors: white geese, cranes, peacocks, parrots, egrets, kalavinkas and two-headed birds. In the
six periods of the day and night the flocks of birds sing forth harmonious and elegant sounds.
Their clear and joyful calls proclaim the Five Roots, the Five Powers, the Seven Limbs of Bodhi,
the Eightfold Path of Sages, and dharmas such as these. When living beings of this land hear their
calls they are altogether mindful of the Buddha, mindful of the Dharma, and mindful of the
Sangha.
Shariputra! Do not say that these birds are born as retribution for their sins. And why not?
Because in this Buddhaland the three evil paths do not exist. Shariputra, even the names of the
three evil paths are unknown in this Buddha's land; how much the less could they actually exist!
Wishing to proclaim the Dharma's sound far and wide, Amitabha Buddha created these
multitudes of birds by transformation.
Shariputra, in that Buddhaland when the gentle winds blow, the rows of jewelled trees and
jewelled nets reverberate with fine and wondrous sounds, as a symphony of one hundred
thousand kinds of music played in harmony. All who hear these sounds are naturally mindful of
the Buddha, mindful of the Dharma, and mindful of the Sangha. Shariputra, the Land of Utmost
Happiness is crowned in splendor and virtues such as these.
Shariputra, what do you think? Why is this Buddha called Amitabha? Shariputra, the brilliance of
that Buddha's light is measureless, illumining the lands of the ten directions everywhere without
obstruction. For this reason he is called Amitabha.
Moreover, Shariputra, the lifespan of that Buddha and that of his people extends for
measureless, limitless asamkhyeyas of kalpas. For this reason he is called Amitayus. And,
Shariputra, since Amitabha became a Buddha, ten kalpas have passed.
Moreover, Shariputra, that Buddha has measureless, limitless asamkheyas of Sound-Hearer
disciples, their number incalculable. So too is the assembly of Bodhisattvas. Shariputra, that
Buddhaland is crowned in splendor and virtues such as these.
Moreover, Shariputra, the living beings born in the Land of Utmost Happiness are all
avaivartika. Among them are many who in this very life will dwell in Buddhahood. Their
number is extremely many; it is incalculable. And only in measureless, limitless asamkyeyas of
kalpas could they be counted.
Shariputra, those living beings who hear of this should vow: I wish to be born in that country.
And why? Because those who are born there assemble in one place with people whose
goodness is unsurpassed. Shariputra, if one has few good roots, blessings, and virtues, one
cannot be born in that land.
Shariputra, if there is a good man or good woman who hears of Amitabha and holds his name
whether for one day, two days, three, four, five days, six days, as long as seven days with one
mind unconfused, when this person nears the end of life, before him will appear Amitabha and all
the Assembly of Holy Ones. When the end comes, his mind will not be utterly confused, and in
Amitabha's Land of Utmost Happiness he will quickly be reborn. Shariputra, because I see this
benefit, I speak these words; and, if living beings hear this teaching they should make the vow: I
wish to born in that land.
Shariputra, just as I now praise the inconceivable benefits arising from the merit and virtue of
Amitabha, so too in the East does Akshobya Buddha, Sumeru Likeness Buddha, Great Sumeru
Buddha, Sumeru Light Buddha, Wonderful Sound Buddha; all Buddhas such as these,
numberless as Ganges' sands, each in his own country gives forth a vast and far-reaching sound
that pervades the threefold, great, thousand-world realm and proclaims these sincere and honest
words: All you living beings should believe in this sutra which all the Buddhas praise for its
inconceivable merit and virtue, a sutra they protect and bear in mind.
Shariputra, in the Southern World, Sun-Moon Lamp Buddha, Sumeru Lamp Buddha,
Celebrated Light Buddha, Great Radiant Shoulders Buddha, Sumeru Lamp Buddha,
Measureless Vigor Buddha, all Buddhas such as these, numberless as Ganges' sands, each in his
own country gives forth a vast and far-reaching sound that pervades the threefold, great,
thousand-world realm and proclaims these sincere and honest words: All you living beings should
believe in this sutra which all Buddhas praise for its inconceivable merit and virtue, a sutra they
protect and bear in mind.
Shariputra, in the Western World, Measureless Life Buddha, Infinite Features Buddha,
Measureless Curtain Buddha, Great Light Buddha, Great Clarity Buddha, Jewelled Likeness
Buddha, Pure Light Buddha, all Buddhas such as these, numberless as Ganges' sands, each in his
own country gives forth a vast and far-reaching sound that pervades the threefold, great,
thousand-world realm and proclaims these sincere and honest words: All you living beings should
believe in this sutra which all Buddhas praise for its inconceivable merit and virtue, protecting and
bearing it in mind.
Shariputra, in the Northern World, Radiant Shoulders Buddha, Most Glorious Sound Buddha,
Invincible Buddha, Sun-Birth Buddha, Luminous Net Buddha, all Buddhas such as these,
numberless as Ganges' sands, each in his own country gives forth a vast and far-reaching sound
that pervades the threefold, great, thousand-world realm and proclaims these sincere and honest
words: All you living beings should believe in this sutra which all Buddhas praise for its
inconceivable merit and virtue, a sutra they protect and bear in mind.
Shariputra, in the World Below, Lion Buddha, Well-Known Buddha, Celebrated Light Buddha,
Dharma Buddha, Dharma-Curtain Buddha, Upholding Dharma Buddha, all Buddhas such as
these, numberless as Ganges' sands, each in his own country gives forth a vast and far-reaching
sound that pervades the threefold, great, thousand-world realm and proclaims these sincere and
honest words: All you living beings should believe in this sutra which all Buddhas praise for its
inconceivable merit and virtue, a sutra they protect and bear in mind.
Shariputra, in the World Above, Pure Sound Buddha, Constellation King Buddha, Superior
Fragrance Buddha, Fragrant Light Buddha, Great Radiant Shoulders Buddha, Varicolored
Jewels-Adorned Body Buddha, Sala Tree King Buddha, Jewelled Flower of Virtue Buddha,
Discerning All Meanings Buddha, Like Sumeru Mountain Buddha, all Buddhas such as these,
numberless as Ganges' sands, each in his own country gives forth a vast and far-reaching sound
that pervades the threefold, great, thousand-world realm and proclaims these sincere and honest
words: All you living beings should believe in this sutra which all Buddhas praise for its
inconceivable merit and virtue, a sutra they protect and bear in mind.
Shariputra, what do you think? Why is it called Sutra which all Buddhas protect and bear in
mind? Shariputra, if a good man or good woman hears this sutra and upholds it, and hears the
names of all these Buddhas, this good man or good woman will also be one whom all Buddhas
protect and bear in mind, and will attain non-retreat from anuttarasamyaksambodhi.
Therefore, Shariputra, all of you should believe and accept my words and the words all Buddhas
speak.
Shariputra, if there are people who have already made the vow, who now make the vow, or
who will make the vow, I wish to be born in Amitabha's country, these people, whether born in
the past, now being born there, or to be born there in the future, will all attain non-retreat from
anuttarasamyaksambodhi. Therefore, Shariputra, all good men and good women who believe
should make the vow, I wish to be born in that country.
Shariputra, just as I now praise the inconceivable merit and virtue of all Buddhas, all those
Buddhas also praise my inconceivable merit and virtue, saying these words: Shakyamuni Buddha
can accomplish extremely difficult and rare deeds in the Saha Land during the evil time of the
Five Turbidities: during the time turbidity, the views turbidity, the affliction turbidity, the living
beings turbidity, and the lifespan turbidity. He can attain anuttarasamyaksambodhi and for the
sake of living beings proclaim this Dharma, which the whole world finds hard to believe.
Shariputra, you should know that I, in the evil time of the Five Turbidities, perform these difficult
deeds, attain anuttarasamyaksambodhi, and for the entire world proclaim this Dharma which is
difficult to believe, extremely difficult!
After the Buddha spoke this Sutra, Shariputra, all the Bhikshus, and the entire world of gods,
humans, asuras, and others, hearing what the Buddha had said, joyously delighted in it, faithfully
accepted it, bowed and withdrew.
Om Amitabha Hri
