English
Because all those born in it have no griefs or sorrows : they experience only unmixed joys ; therefore it is named the infinitely happy land. Again, Sariputra, this happy region is surrounded by seven rows of ornamental railings, seven rows of exquisite curtains, seven rows of waving trees — hence, again, it is called the infinitely happy region. Again, Sariputra, this happy land possesses seven gemmous lakes, in the midst of which flow waters possessed of the eight distinctive qualities (viz., limpidity and purity, refreshing coolness, sweetness, softness, fertilising qualities, calmness, power of preventing famine, productiveness). Spreading over the bottom of these lakes are golden sands, whilst the four sides have pleasant walks enriched with gold, silver, crystal, lapis-lazuli, beryl, .ruby, and cornelian. In the middle of the lakes are lotus flowers, large as a chariot wheel, blue, yellow, red, and white, each reflecting brilliant hues of its own colour, and possessed of the most perfect and delightful fragrance. Thus, 0 Sari- putra, this blessed region is pei-fected and thoroughly adorned. "Again, Sariputra, the land of that Buddha ever shares in heavenly delights (or music), the ground is resplendent gold, at morning and evening showers of the Divine Udambara flower descend upon all those born there, at early dawn the most exquisite blossoms burst out at their side : thousand myriads of Buddhas instantly resort here for refreshment, and then return to their own regions, and for this reason, Sari- putra, that land is called most happy. " Again, Sariputra, that region is possessed of every species of pleasure delightful to the senses, birds of every hue, the white stork, the peacock, the macaw, garudas, birds of every 380 A CATENA OF BUDDHIST kindj all these, at morning and evening, unite to sing the praises of the law, so that all born in that land, hearing these notes, are led to invoke Buddha, the Law and the Assembly. But, Sai"iputra,you must not suppose that these birds are born in this state in the way of retribution for sins in a superior condition, and why not ? Because, in that region there exists not either of the three evil ways of birth, (^i.e., as a beast, demon, or asura). Sariputra ! that land being em- phatically free from these evil ways of birth, is thereby more fully possessed of the superior ways of birth, and these different kinds of birds are all of them the different appari- tional foi'ms of supei'ior beings, whom Amitabha Buddha causes thus to chaunt the various sounds of the Law. Sari- putra, in that land of Buddha, whenever a gentle breeze moves softly, then the various precious waving trees, and the gemmous curtain that surrounds the land, emit a gentle and mysterious sound, like a thousand different kinds of music, all at the same time ; on hearing which, the dwellers in that land conceive, spontaneously, a heart full of adoration for Buddha, the Law, and the Assembly. '' Sariputra, this land is thus perfectly adorned, and com- plete in pleasure. " But now, Sariputra, you would perhaps inquire why the Buddha of that region is called Amitabha. Sariputra ! it is because he is immeasurably bright and glorious, so that his splendour fills the land of the ten regions, and no obstacle can oppose the diffusion of the rays of his glory,^ for this reason he is called Amitabha. Again, Sariputra, the years of the life of that Buddha, as men compute them, ai'e end- less, and without bound, in asankheyas of years — for this reason, also, he is called Amitabha. For ten kalpas of years, that Buddha has enjoyed his present condition, and has for his disciples an endless and incalculable number of Sravakas, all of them Rahats, innumerable, and not to be expressed for multitude, and Bodhisatwas equally vast in number. So it is, Sariputra, that land of Buddha is per- ^ Burn., Introd., p. 100. SCRIPTURES FROM THE CHINESE. 381 fected. Again, Sririputra, in that land of perfect joy all wlio are born, are born as Avaivartyas (never to return)/ whilst among these there are numbers who make this their resting-place, before that one birth more (which shall end in their arriving at Buddhaship) ; infinite are those in num- ber, not to be expressed for multitude, simply innumerable. " Sariputra ! all mortals who hear this account, ought to offer up this one vow — that they may be boi-n in that coun- try— and why ? because, if once born there, they obtain the felicity of only one more appeai-ance as superior sages (and then obtain the condition of Buddha.) Sariputra, it is not possible to be born in that country possessing an inferior Karma ; Sariputra ! if there be a virtuous man or woman who hears this account of Amitabha Buddha, and who assiduously invokes his name for one day or two, up to seven, and during this time maintains a heart unaffected by worldly thoughts, or confused ideas — that man or womaji, when about to die, shall be blessed with a clear vision of Amitabha and all his saints, and at the last moment, if his heart be not turned back, he shall depart, and forthwith be born in that most blessed land of Amitabha Buddha. Sari- putra ! I perceive that such will be the happy consequence (of so doing) and therefore I repeat these words ; whatever men they be who hear them, they ought at once to utter this vow, that they may be born in that land. " Sariputra ! thus it is I would recite in stanzas of com- mendation, the excellence of that infinitely glorious land of Amitabha Buddha. [The Sutra then proceeds to speak of the various Bud- dhas towards each of the four points, and also in the zenith and nadir. This being a mere recital of names, is omitted here.] " Sariputra ! what say you as to the meaning of this ex- pression, the saving power which resides in the repetition of the names of all the Buddhas ? Sariputra ! if there be a virtuous man or woman who hears and receives this Sutra, * LoJiia Vistara, 267. 382 A CATENA OF BUDDHIST and who hears the names of all the Biiddhas, these virtuous men or women^ in consequence of the saving power which resides in the repetition of these names, shall all obtain the privilege of not passing through and revolving in the con- dition of Anuttara Samyak Sambodhi, L e., the unsurpass- ably just and enlightened heart. (This is the condition usually assigned to the Bodhisatwa, before arriving at the state of Buddha.) Wherefore, Sariputra, ye all ought to receive and believe these my words, and the words of all the Buddhas. " Sariputra ! if there be a man who has vowed, or now vows, or shall vow and desire, to be born in that reg-ion, all these men shall be privileged not to remain or revolve in the condition of Anuttara Samyak Sambudhi, but to be born at once in their various conditions in the land of that Buddha, whether in time past, now, or henceforth. Wherefore, Sariputra, whatever faithful man or woman there be, they ought all to put up this prayer, that they may be born in that land. Sariputra, as I have now thus recounted the praises of all these Buddhas, their indescribable excellences, so those Buddhas likewise recount my praises and infinite excellences, and speak thus : — ' Sakya Muni Buddha is he that is able^ to accomphsh most difficult results (prompted byj his exceeding love — he it is who is ' able' in the So- ho world (Sahalokadhatu), the evil world of five impurities (viz., violence, perception, calamities, birth, death) — he it is who is ' able,' in the midst of these, to arrive at the con- dition of Anuttara Samyak Sambodbi, and on account of all sentient creatures to repeat his Law, difficult to be em- braced by those for whom it is said.' " Sariputra ! know, then, that I, in the midst of this evil and calamitous world, preaching these difficult doctrines, have arrived at the condition of Anuttara Saun^ak Sambodhi, and now, on account of all creatures, have declared this Law difficult to be believed, and this is that which is most difficult.'^ ' AUufling to the word " Sak" (able), from wliich Sakya's naiiie is derived. SCRIPTURES FROM THE CHINESE, 383 Buddha having repeated this Siitra, Sariputra and all the Bikshus, and all the assembly, the Devas, Asuras, and so on, having heard what Buddha said, joyfully received and believed it, and having prostrated themselves in adoration, departed. 3. THE WORSHIP OF KWAN-YIN.