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English version They are supremely excellent, without exception respecting and reverently making offerings to immeasurable Buddhas, constantly praised by all Buddhas, ultimately accomplishing all the Paramitas (perfections) of a Bodhisattva. They cultivate the Samadhis (meditative states) of emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness, as well as the various Samadhi gates of non-arising and non-ceasing, distancing themselves from the realms of Sravakas (hearers) and Pratyekabuddhas (solitary realizers). Ananda! These Bodhisattvas achieve such immeasurable merits. I am only giving you a brief summary; if I were to explain in detail, even an eon (an extremely long period of time) would not be enough to exhaust it. Chapter 35: On Those Who Depart to Nirvana At that time, a Bodhisattva named Ajita (another name for Maitreya Bodhisattva) arose from his seat, joined his palms, and asked the Buddha: 'In the Buddha-land (Buddha's realm) of Amitabha Buddha (Buddha of Infinite Light), are there any Sravakas who enter Parinirvana (complete extinction)?' The Buddha said: 'Do you see the stars in these four continents (the four major continents in Buddhist cosmology)?' He replied: 'I have seen them all.' The Buddha said: 'Like Maha Maudgalyayana (one of the Buddha's ten great disciples, known for his supernatural powers) flying across the four continents, he could know the number of stars in one day and night. The multitude of Sravakas in that Buddha-land is hundreds of thousands of billions of times more than the stars in the four continents, and their number cannot be fully known. When one Sravaka enters Parinirvana, it is like a drop of water being removed from the ocean, and it is not felt to be less. Although the number of those who enter Parinirvana is numerous, it is like a stream of water being removed from the ocean, and it is not felt to be less. Although the number of those who enter Parinirvana is countless, the number of those who are present and those who newly attain the fruit of Sravaka is also immeasurable and limitless, like a river of the Ganges being removed from the ocean, and it is not felt to be less. Even if all the waters of the world were to flow into the ocean, the ocean would not be felt to increase. Why is this so? Because the ocean is the master of all the waters of the world, capable of containing infinite water. That Buddha-land is also like this; even if the gods and people of countless Buddha-lands in the ten directions, and even creatures that crawl and fly, were all to be reborn there, the number of people in that Buddha-land would not be felt to increase. Why is this so? Because that Buddha-land is uniquely superior to countless Buddha-lands in the ten directions, being extremely vast and great, boundless and spacious. Why is this so? Because when he (Amitabha Buddha) was a Bodhisattva, his vows were vast, he was diligent and unremitting in his practice, and he accumulated infinite merits, and therefore he is able to be like this.' Great Light -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 小分第三十六
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佛言：“阿弥陀佛与其刹中诸菩萨、声闻，顶中光明各有大小。诸声闻顶中光明各照七丈，诸菩萨顶中光明各照千亿万里。有二菩萨尊为第一，其一名观世音，一名大势至，常在佛侧坐侍政论。佛与二菩萨对议十方世界未来、现在之事，佛欲使二菩萨往他方佛所，神足而往驶疾如佛。分身生此世界助佛扬化，于彼刹中不失现在。其智慧威神最为第一，顶中光明各照千佛世界，世间人民善男子、善女人，若有急难恐怖或值官事，一心归命观世音菩萨，无不得解脱者。其佛顶中光明极大极明，彼世界中日、月、星辰，以佛光胜故亦无光耀，皆住空中亦不运转；故无一日、二日，一月、二月，亦无岁数、亦无劫数。以此间计之，彼佛光明，后无数劫无数劫，重复无数劫无数劫，不可复计劫，终无冥晦之时；其世界无坏亦复如是。” 恩德无穷分第三十七 佛言：“阿弥陀佛，于世间教化，意欲度脱十方无央数佛刹中诸天人民，以至蜎飞蠕动之类，皆往生其刹，悉令得泥洹之道。其间欲作佛者，即令修菩萨行以至成佛。既成佛已转相教化，度脱十方无央数世界中诸天人民，以至蜎飞蠕动之类，往生其刹者不可胜数；作菩萨以至成佛者，亦不可胜数。是此佛恩德，及于十方世界，无穷无极不可 现代汉语译本 佛说：‘阿弥陀佛（Amitābha，意为无量光佛）和他的佛国中的菩萨、声闻（Śrāvaka，意为听闻佛法而修行的人），他们头顶的光明各有大小。声闻头顶的光明各自照耀七丈，菩萨头顶的光明各自照耀千亿万里。有两位菩萨最为尊贵，一位名叫观世音（Avalokiteśvara，意为观照世间声音的菩萨），一位名叫大势至（Mahāsthāmaprāpta，意为大精进菩萨），他们常常在佛的身边侍奉，参与政事讨论。佛与这两位菩萨一起讨论十方世界未来和现在的事情。佛想要让这两位菩萨前往其他佛的国土，他们以神通力前往，速度像佛一样迅速。他们分身来到这个世界，帮助佛弘扬教化，在他们的佛国中仍然保持现在的状态。他们的智慧和威神力最为强大，头顶的光明各自照耀一千个佛的世界。世间的人民，无论是善男子还是善女人，如果遇到紧急的灾难、恐惧或者官司，一心归命观世音菩萨，没有不得到解脱的。阿弥陀佛头顶的光明极其广大明亮，那个世界中的太阳、月亮、星辰，因为佛的光明胜过它们，所以都失去了光辉，停留在空中不再运转；因此没有一日、二日，一月、二月，也没有年岁、也没有劫数。用我们这个世界的计算方法来衡量，阿弥陀佛的光明，经过无数劫、无数劫，重复无数劫、无数劫，无法计算的劫数，最终也不会有黑暗的时候；那个世界也不会有坏灭的时候。’ 佛说：‘阿弥陀佛在世间教化，想要度脱十方无数佛国中的诸天人民，乃至微小的昆虫，都往生到他的佛国，全部让他们得到涅槃（Nirvana，意为解脱）之道。其中想要成佛的，就让他们修行菩萨行，直到成佛。成佛之后，他们又互相教化，度脱十方无数世界中的诸天人民，乃至微小的昆虫，往生到他的佛国的人数不胜数；修行菩萨行直到成佛的人数也数不胜数。这就是阿弥陀佛的恩德，遍及十方世界，无穷无尽，无法估量。’
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English version The Buddha said: 'Amitābha (Amitābha, meaning Immeasurable Light Buddha) and the Bodhisattvas and Śrāvakas (Śrāvaka, meaning those who hear the Dharma and practice) in his Buddha-land have different sizes of light emanating from the tops of their heads. The light from the tops of the heads of the Śrāvakas each illuminates seven zhang, and the light from the tops of the heads of the Bodhisattvas each illuminates a thousand billion miles. There are two Bodhisattvas who are the most honored, one named Avalokiteśvara (Avalokiteśvara, meaning the Bodhisattva who observes the sounds of the world), and the other named Mahāsthāmaprāpta (Mahāsthāmaprāpta, meaning the Bodhisattva of Great Strength), who are always by the Buddha's side, attending to affairs and discussing matters. The Buddha discusses with these two Bodhisattvas the future and present affairs of the ten directions of the world. When the Buddha wants these two Bodhisattvas to go to other Buddhas' lands, they go with their supernatural powers, as fast as the Buddha. They manifest bodies in this world to help the Buddha propagate the teachings, while in their own Buddha-land they remain in their present state. Their wisdom and spiritual power are the greatest, and the light from the tops of their heads each illuminates a thousand Buddha-worlds. If the people of the world, whether good men or good women, encounter urgent disasters, fear, or lawsuits, and wholeheartedly take refuge in Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, there is no one who will not be liberated. The light from the top of Amitābha's head is extremely vast and bright. The sun, moon, and stars in that world, because the Buddha's light surpasses them, have lost their brilliance and remain in the sky without moving; therefore, there is no one day, two days, one month, two months, nor years, nor kalpas. Measured by the calculations of our world, the light of Amitābha, after countless kalpas, countless kalpas, repeated countless kalpas, countless kalpas, immeasurable kalpas, will never have a time of darkness; that world will also never be destroyed.' The Buddha said: 'Amitābha, in his teachings in the world, intends to liberate the heavenly beings and people in the countless Buddha-lands of the ten directions, even down to the smallest insects, so that they may all be reborn in his Buddha-land and all attain the path of Nirvana (Nirvana, meaning liberation). Those among them who wish to become Buddhas are made to practice the Bodhisattva path until they become Buddhas. After becoming Buddhas, they in turn teach and liberate the heavenly beings and people in the countless worlds of the ten directions, even down to the smallest insects, and the number of those who are reborn in his Buddha-land is countless; the number of those who practice the Bodhisattva path until they become Buddhas is also countless. This is the grace of Amitābha, which extends to the ten directions of the world, boundless and immeasurable.' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 思议。” 佛寿人数分第三十八 佛言：“汝欲知阿弥陀佛寿命无极否？” 阿逸多对言：“诚欲闻知。”
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佛言：“明听！悉十方无央数世界诸天人民，以至蜎飞蠕动之类，皆得为人，又皆作缘觉、声闻，共坐禅一心，合其智慧为一智慧，以计数彼佛寿命几千亿万劫，无有能知者。其诸菩萨、声闻，及彼刹诸天世人寿命，亦复如是。复令十方各千世界中诸天人民，以至蜎飞蠕动之类，皆得为人，又皆作缘觉、声闻，共坐禅一心，合其智慧为一智慧，以计数彼刹中诸菩萨、声闻几千亿万人，莫有能尽知者。彼佛寿命浩浩渺渺无穷无极。谁能信知？惟佛知耳。” 递次作佛分第三十九 阿逸多复白佛言：“阿弥陀佛功德寿命，威神光明乃如是耶？” 佛言：“彼佛至般泥洹时，观世音菩萨乃当作佛，掌握化权，教化度脱，十方世界诸天人民，以至蜎飞蠕动之类，皆令得泥洹之道。欲作佛者则至作佛；既作佛已，转相教化转相度脱，如一大师阿弥陀佛，无有穷极，其恩德所及一无有异；复住无央数劫无央数劫不可复计劫，一一皆法阿弥陀佛乃般泥洹。其次大势至菩萨作佛，掌握化权，教化度脱，一如阿弥陀佛，经历劫数永无般泥洹时。” 佛智无极分第四十 阿 现代汉语译本 ‘不可思议。’ 佛寿人数分第三十八 佛说：‘你想知道阿弥陀佛（Amitābha，意为无量光）的寿命是无极的吗？’ 阿逸多（Ajita，弥勒菩萨的别名）回答说：‘确实想知道。’ 佛说：‘仔细听！假设十方无量无数世界的所有天人，乃至微小的昆虫，都转生为人，又都修成缘觉（Pratyekabuddha，独觉）和声闻（Śrāvaka，听闻佛法而悟道者），共同禅坐一心，将他们的智慧合为一体，用来计算那尊佛的寿命有多少千亿万劫，也没有人能够知道。那些菩萨、声闻，以及那个佛刹中的天人和世人的寿命，也同样如此。再假设十方各千个世界中的所有天人，乃至微小的昆虫，都转生为人，又都修成缘觉和声闻，共同禅坐一心，将他们的智慧合为一体，用来计算那个佛刹中的菩萨和声闻有多少千亿万人，也没有人能够完全知道。那尊佛的寿命浩瀚无边，无穷无尽。谁能相信并知道呢？只有佛才能知道。’ 递次作佛分第三十九 阿逸多又对佛说：‘阿弥陀佛的功德寿命，威神光明竟然是这样的吗？’ 佛说：‘那尊佛在涅槃（Parinirvana，佛的最终寂灭）时，观世音菩萨（Avalokiteśvara，意为观自在）将成佛，掌握教化众生的权柄，教化度脱十方世界的天人，乃至微小的昆虫，都让他们得到涅槃之道。想要成佛的就去成佛；成佛之后，辗转教化，辗转度脱，就像一位大导师阿弥陀佛一样，没有穷尽，他的恩德所及之处没有差别；又住无量无数劫，无法计算的劫数，每一位都像阿弥陀佛一样才入涅槃。其次是大势至菩萨（Mahāsthāmaprāpta，意为得大势）成佛，掌握教化众生的权柄，教化度脱，就像阿弥陀佛一样，经历的劫数永远没有涅槃的时候。’ 佛智无极分第四十 阿
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English version 'inconceivable.' Chapter 38: The Buddha's Lifespan The Buddha said, 'Do you wish to know if Amitābha's (Amitābha, meaning Infinite Light) lifespan is limitless?' Ajita (Ajita, another name for Maitreya Bodhisattva) replied, 'Indeed, I wish to know.' The Buddha said, 'Listen carefully! Suppose all the gods and people in the countless worlds of the ten directions, even down to the smallest insects, were all to be reborn as humans, and all were to become Pratyekabuddhas (Pratyekabuddha, Solitary Buddhas) and Śrāvakas (Śrāvaka, those who attain enlightenment by hearing the Dharma), and they were to sit in meditation with one mind, combining their wisdom into one wisdom, and used it to calculate how many thousands of billions of kalpas that Buddha's lifespan is, no one would be able to know. The lifespans of those Bodhisattvas, Śrāvakas, and the gods and people in that Buddha-land are also the same. Furthermore, suppose all the gods and people in each of the thousand worlds of the ten directions, even down to the smallest insects, were all to be reborn as humans, and all were to become Pratyekabuddhas and Śrāvakas, and they were to sit in meditation with one mind, combining their wisdom into one wisdom, and used it to calculate how many thousands of billions of people there are among the Bodhisattvas and Śrāvakas in that Buddha-land, no one would be able to know completely. That Buddha's lifespan is vast and boundless, without end. Who can believe and know it? Only a Buddha can know.' Chapter 39: Successive Buddhahood Ajita again said to the Buddha, 'Is Amitābha's merit, lifespan, majestic power, and light truly like this?' The Buddha said, 'When that Buddha enters Parinirvana (Parinirvana, the final extinction of a Buddha), Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva (Avalokiteśvara, meaning the one who perceives the sounds of the world) will then become a Buddha, taking hold of the power to transform and teach, guiding and liberating the gods and people of the ten directions, even down to the smallest insects, causing them all to attain the path of Nirvana. Those who wish to become Buddhas will become Buddhas; having become Buddhas, they will teach and liberate each other, just like the great teacher Amitābha, without end, and the reach of his grace is without difference; they will also dwell for countless kalpas, immeasurable kalpas, each one like Amitābha before entering Parinirvana. Next, Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva (Mahāsthāmaprāpta, meaning the one who has attained great power) will become a Buddha, taking hold of the power to transform and teach, guiding and liberating, just like Amitābha, and the kalpas he experiences will never reach the time of Parinirvana.' Chapter 40: The Buddha's Limitless Wisdom A --------------------------------------------------------------------------------