English
English version: Ananda said to the Buddha, 'Suppose this person is by the side of an emperor, their weakness and ugliness are beyond comparison, even hundreds of millions of times cannot describe it. Why is this so? Because poor beggars are at the very bottom, their clothes do not cover their bodies, they eat only to sustain life, they are plagued by hunger and cold, and they have almost lost the dignity of a human being. All of this is because in their previous lives they did not cultivate virtue, they accumulated wealth but were unwilling to give it away, they were rich but even more stingy, they only wanted to gain without working, they were greedy and insatiable, they did not believe in doing good, and their evil deeds piled up like mountains. When such people reach the end of their lives, their wealth dissipates, and the wealth they worked so hard to accumulate becomes a source of worry, it is of no benefit to themselves, but only for others. They have no good deeds to rely on, no virtue to depend on, therefore, after death, they fall into evil realms and suffer long-lasting pain. After their sins are exhausted, they can be reborn as humans, but they are still extremely ignorant and vulgar, no different from other humans. The reason why emperors in the world are uniquely honored among people is all because they accumulated virtue in their previous lives, they were compassionate and generous, they were benevolent and helped all, they kept their promises, they practiced good deeds, and they did not contend with others. Therefore, when their lives end, their blessings are fulfilled, they are able to ascend to good realms, and are reborn in the heavens to enjoy happiness. The remaining blessings from accumulating good deeds allow them to be born as humans in this life, and being born into a royal family, they are naturally noble, their appearance is dignified, they are respected by all, and they can enjoy beautiful clothes and precious food as they wish. This is because of the blessings they accumulated in their previous lives.' The Buddha told Ananda, 'What you say is correct. Even emperors, although they are honored among people and have dignified appearances, are still considered vulgar compared to a Chakravartin (an ideal ruler who possesses the world), just like a beggar next to an emperor. The Chakravartin's majestic appearance is exceptionally wonderful, the best in the world, but compared to the King of Trayastrimsa Heaven (the king of the second heaven in the desire realm), he is again ugly, and cannot be described by hundreds of millions of times. Suppose the Heavenly Emperor (King of Trayastrimsa Heaven) is compared to the King of the Sixth Heaven (Paranirmitavasavartin), their appearances are also different by hundreds of millions of times. Suppose the King of the Sixth Heaven is compared to the Bodhisattvas and Sravakas (disciples of the Buddha) in the Land of Immeasurable Life Buddha (Amitabha's Pure Land), their radiant appearances cannot be compared, and the difference is hundreds of millions of times.' The Buddha told Ananda, 'The heavenly beings in the Land of Immeasurable Life, their clothes, food, flowers, fragrances, necklaces (ornaments made of pearls and jade), various canopies, banners (Buddhist flags), wonderful sounds, and the houses, palaces, and pavilions where they live, all correspond to their forms, colors, heights, and sizes. Some are decorated with one treasure, some with two treasures, and some are even decorated with countless treasures.' --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
宝，随意所欲，应念即至。又，以众宝妙衣遍布其地，一切人天践之而行。无量宝网弥覆佛上，皆以金缕、真珠、百千杂宝、奇妙珍异庄严绞饰，周匝四面垂以宝铃，光色晃曜尽极严丽。自然德风徐起微动，其风调和，不寒、不暑；温凉柔软，不迟、不疾；吹诸罗网及众宝树，演发无量微妙法音，流布万种温雅德香。其有闻者，尘劳垢习自然不起，风触其身皆得快乐，譬如比丘得灭尽三昧。 “又，风吹散华遍满佛土，随色次第而不杂乱，柔软光泽馨香芬烈，足履其上陷下四寸，随举足已还复如故。华用已讫地辄开裂，以次化没清净无遗，随其时节风吹散华，如是六反。 “又众宝莲华周满世界，一一宝华百千亿叶，其叶光明无量种色，青色青光、白色白光、玄黄、朱紫光色亦然，炜烨焕烂，明曜日月。一一华中出三十六百千亿光；一一光中出三十六百千亿佛，身色紫金，相好殊特；一一诸佛又放百千光明，普为十方说微妙法；如是诸佛各各安立无量众生于佛正道。” 无量寿经卷上 大正藏第 12 册 No. 0360 佛说无量寿经 佛说无量寿经卷下 曹魏天竺三藏康僧铠译 佛告阿难：“其有众生生彼国者，皆悉住于正定之聚。所以者何？彼佛国中无诸邪聚及不 现代汉语译本 宝物，可以随意变化，只要心中想的，立刻就会出现。而且，用各种珍贵的妙衣遍布地面，所有的人和天神都踩在上面行走。无数的宝网覆盖在佛的上方，都用金线、珍珠、成百上千种杂宝、奇妙珍异的装饰品绞合装饰，四周垂挂着宝铃，光彩闪耀，极其华丽。自然的德风缓缓吹起，轻轻摇动，这风温和调顺，不冷也不热；温暖凉爽而又柔和，不快也不慢；吹动着罗网和各种宝树，演奏出无数微妙的法音，散发出万种温和优雅的德香。凡是听到这些声音的人，尘世的烦恼和污垢自然不会产生，风吹到身上都会感到快乐，就像比丘进入灭尽三昧（一种禅定状态）一样。 而且，风吹散鲜花，遍布整个佛土，花朵按照颜色依次排列，不会混杂，柔软光泽，香气浓郁，脚踩在上面会陷下四寸，抬起脚后又恢复原状。花朵用完后，地面就会裂开，依次消失，干净无遗，随着时节，风会吹散鲜花，像这样重复六次。 还有，各种宝莲花遍布整个世界，每一朵宝莲花都有成百上千亿片花瓣，花瓣的光明有无数种颜色，青色的花瓣发出青光，白色的花瓣发出白光，玄黄、朱紫的花瓣也发出相应的光芒，光彩夺目，明亮得可以遮蔽日月。每一朵花中都发出三十六百千亿道光芒；每一道光芒中都出现三十六百千亿尊佛，佛身呈紫金色，相貌美好殊胜；每一尊佛又放出成百上千道光明，普遍为十方世界宣说微妙的佛法；这些佛各自安立无数众生于佛的正道之上。 佛告诉阿难：‘凡是往生到那个佛国世界的众生，都安住在正定之聚（必定证悟的群体）中。这是为什么呢？因为那个佛国世界中没有邪定之聚（注定堕落的群体）和不定之聚（可能堕落也可能证悟的群体）。’
English
English version Treasures, as one wishes, appear instantly upon thought. Moreover, the ground is covered with exquisite and precious garments, upon which all humans and devas walk. Countless jeweled nets cover the Buddha, all adorned with gold threads, pearls, hundreds and thousands of various treasures, and wondrous and rare ornaments, with jeweled bells hanging all around, their light shining brilliantly and extremely magnificent. Natural virtuous winds gently arise and stir, the wind is harmonious, neither cold nor hot; warm, cool, and soft, neither slow nor fast; blowing through the nets and various jeweled trees, emitting countless subtle Dharma sounds, spreading ten thousand kinds of gentle and elegant virtuous fragrances. Those who hear these sounds naturally do not generate worldly afflictions and defilements, and those who feel the wind on their bodies all experience joy, like a Bhikkhu (Buddhist monk) attaining Nirodha-samapatti (the meditative state of cessation). Furthermore, the wind scatters flowers, covering the entire Buddha-land, the flowers arranged in order according to their colors, without mixing, soft and lustrous, with a strong fragrance, when stepped upon, they sink down four inches, and when the foot is lifted, they return to their original state. Once the flowers have been used, the ground cracks open, and they disappear in order, completely and cleanly, and according to the seasons, the wind scatters flowers, repeating this six times. Also, various jeweled lotuses fill the world, each jeweled lotus having hundreds of thousands of billions of petals, the light of the petals having countless colors, blue petals emitting blue light, white petals emitting white light, dark yellow and vermilion purple petals also emitting their respective lights, shining brilliantly, bright enough to eclipse the sun and moon. From each flower emanate thirty-six hundred thousand billion rays of light; from each ray of light appear thirty-six hundred thousand billion Buddhas, their bodies the color of purple gold, their forms beautiful and extraordinary; each of these Buddhas emits hundreds and thousands of rays of light, universally proclaiming the subtle Dharma to the ten directions; these Buddhas each establish countless beings on the right path of the Buddha. The Buddha said to Ananda, 'Those beings who are born in that Buddha-land all dwell in the group of the rightly established (those who are assured of enlightenment). Why is this so? Because in that Buddha-land there are no groups of the wrongly established (those who are destined to fall) or the uncertainly established (those who may fall or may attain enlightenment).' --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
定之聚，十方恒沙诸佛如来皆共赞叹无量寿佛威神功德不可思议。诸有众生闻其名号信心欢喜，乃至一念，至心回向愿生彼国，即得往生住不退转，唯除五逆、诽谤正法。” 佛告阿难：“十方世界诸天人民，其有至心愿生彼国，凡有三辈。其上辈者，舍家弃欲而作沙门，发菩提心，一向专念无量寿佛，修诸功德愿生彼国。此等众生临寿终时，无量寿佛与诸大众现其人前，即随彼佛往生其国，便于七宝华中自然化生，住不退转，智慧勇猛，神通自在。是故，阿难！其有众生欲于今世见无量寿佛，应发无上菩提之心，修行功德，愿生彼国。” 佛语阿难：“其中辈者，十方世界诸天人民，其有至心愿生彼国，虽不能行作沙门大修功德，当发无上菩提之心，一向专念无量寿佛。多少修善、奉持斋戒、起立塔像、饭食沙门、悬缯然灯、散华烧香，以此回向愿生彼国。其人临终，无量寿佛化现其身——光明相好，具如真佛——与诸大众现其人前，即随化佛往生其国，住不退转，功德智慧次如上辈者也。” 佛语阿难：“其下辈者，十方世界诸天人民，其有至心欲生彼国，假使不能作诸功德，当发无上菩提之心，一向专意乃至十念，念无量寿佛，愿生其国。若闻深法欢喜信乐，不生疑惑，乃至一念念于彼佛， 现代汉语译本：在禅定聚会中，十方如恒河沙数般多的诸佛如来都共同赞叹无量寿佛（Amitayus Buddha）的威神功德不可思议。所有众生，凡是听到他的名号，心生欢喜，乃至仅仅一念，至诚回向，愿生到那个佛国，就能往生，住于不退转的境界，唯独犯下五逆重罪、诽谤正法的人除外。 佛陀告诉阿难（Ananda）说：‘十方世界的天人和人民，凡是真心愿生到那个佛国的，大致分为三类。上等根器的人，舍弃家庭和欲望，出家成为沙门（Sramana），发起菩提心（Bodhi-citta），一心专念无量寿佛，修习各种功德，愿生到那个佛国。这些众生在临终时，无量寿佛会与诸位大众显现在他们面前，他们随即跟随佛陀往生到那个佛国，在七宝莲花中自然化生，住于不退转的境界，智慧勇猛，神通自在。因此，阿难！如果众生想要在今生见到无量寿佛，就应当发起无上的菩提心，修行功德，愿生到那个佛国。’ 佛陀告诉阿难说：‘中等根器的人，十方世界的天人和人民，凡是真心愿生到那个佛国的，虽然不能出家成为沙门，广修功德，也应当发起无上的菩提心，一心专念无量寿佛。他们可以随力修善，奉持斋戒，建造佛塔佛像，供养斋饭给沙门，悬挂幡盖，点燃灯火，散花烧香，以此回向，愿生到那个佛国。这些人临终时，无量寿佛会化现其身——光明相好，如同真佛一般——与诸位大众显现在他们面前，他们随即跟随化佛往生到那个佛国，住于不退转的境界，功德智慧仅次于上等根器的人。’ 佛陀告诉阿难说：‘下等根器的人，十方世界的天人和人民，凡是真心愿生到那个佛国的，即使不能修习各种功德，也应当发起无上的菩提心，一心专念，乃至十念，念无量寿佛，愿生到那个佛国。如果听到甚深佛法，欢喜信受，不生疑惑，乃至仅仅一念忆念彼佛，
English
English version: In the assembly of Samadhi, all the Tathagatas (Buddhas) as numerous as the sands of the Ganges in the ten directions, together praise the inconceivable majestic power and merits of Amitayus Buddha (Infinite Life Buddha). All sentient beings who hear his name, with joyful faith, even for a single thought, sincerely dedicate their merits, wishing to be born in that Buddha-land, will be reborn there and dwell in the state of non-retrogression, except for those who commit the five heinous crimes and slander the true Dharma. The Buddha told Ananda: 'The gods and people of the ten directions, those who sincerely wish to be born in that Buddha-land, are generally of three kinds. The superior ones renounce their homes and desires to become Sramanas (monks), generate the Bodhi-citta (mind of enlightenment), single-mindedly concentrate on Amitayus Buddha, cultivate various merits, and wish to be born in that Buddha-land. When these beings are about to die, Amitayus Buddha will appear before them with his assembly, and they will immediately follow the Buddha to be reborn in that land, naturally manifesting in seven-jeweled lotuses, dwelling in the state of non-retrogression, with wisdom, courage, and supernatural powers. Therefore, Ananda! If sentient beings wish to see Amitayus Buddha in this life, they should generate the supreme Bodhi-citta, cultivate merits, and wish to be born in that Buddha-land.' The Buddha told Ananda: 'The middling ones, the gods and people of the ten directions, those who sincerely wish to be born in that Buddha-land, although they cannot become Sramanas and extensively cultivate merits, should generate the supreme Bodhi-citta and single-mindedly concentrate on Amitayus Buddha. They can cultivate good deeds according to their ability, observe precepts, build pagodas and Buddha images, offer meals to Sramanas, hang banners, light lamps, scatter flowers, and burn incense, dedicating these merits to be born in that Buddha-land. When these people are about to die, Amitayus Buddha will manifest his body—with radiant marks and characteristics, just like a true Buddha—and appear before them with his assembly, and they will immediately follow the manifested Buddha to be reborn in that land, dwelling in the state of non-retrogression, with merits and wisdom second only to the superior ones.' The Buddha told Ananda: 'The inferior ones, the gods and people of the ten directions, those who sincerely wish to be born in that Buddha-land, even if they cannot cultivate various merits, should generate the supreme Bodhi-citta, single-mindedly concentrate, even for ten thoughts, on Amitayus Buddha, and wish to be born in that Buddha-land. If they hear the profound Dharma, rejoice and believe in it, without doubt, even for a single thought, remembering that Buddha, --------------------------------------------------------------------------------