English
English version: All sentient beings each recite scriptures, praise the Buddha, repent of their sins, dedicate merits, and make vows, wishing to completely liberate all beings to be reborn in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Then, they recite the name of the Great Compassionate Bodhisattva, praise the Buddha, repent of their sins, dedicate merits, and make vows. The verse says: 'The Buddhas of the ten directions and three times, Amitabha is the foremost; the nine grades of lotuses deliver sentient beings, his majestic power is boundless. I now take full refuge, repenting of the sins of my body, speech, and mind; all meritorious deeds and blessings, I sincerely dedicate. May all who recite the Buddha's name, be reborn in the Land of Ultimate Bliss; seeing the Buddha, ending birth and death, like the Buddha, liberating all beings.' If it is for the purpose of transferring merit to the deceased, dispelling calamities, or seeking peace, then one may make wishes as one pleases, without needing to pray as before. It is also necessary to recite mantras, first taking refuge in the Three Jewels and the Four Sages of the West, and then making wishes. If it is for one's own rebirth, then it is appropriate to do everything as before, for the merit will be very great. 'The Sutra of the Buddha's Discourse on the Great Amitabha,' Volume One Edited by Wang Rixiu, a Jinshi (scholar) of the Imperial Academy of the Song Dynasty Chapter One: The Assembly of the Dharma Gathering Thus have I heard: At one time, the Buddha was in Mount Gṛdhrakūṭa in the city of Rājagṛha, together with twelve hundred and fifty great disciples. All of them were great sages who had attained supernatural powers. Their names were: Venerable Lyobenji (the Venerable who understands the fundamental nature of things), Venerable Zheng Yuan (the Venerable with correct vows), Venerable Zheng Yu (the Venerable with upright speech), Venerable Da Hao (the Venerable with a great name), Venerable Ren Xian (the Venerable who is benevolent and virtuous), Venerable Li Gou (the Venerable who is free from defilements), Venerable Ming Wen (the Venerable with a far-reaching reputation), Venerable Shan Shi (the Venerable who is kind and truthful), Venerable Ju Zu (the Venerable who is complete with merits), Venerable Ananda (the Buddha's attendant), these were all the foremost disciples. Also, there were the great Bodhisattvas of the Mahayana: Bodhisattva Samantabhadra (the Bodhisattva representing all Bodhisattva practices and vows), Bodhisattva Manjusri (the Bodhisattva of supreme wisdom), Bodhisattva Maitreya (the Bodhisattva of compassion), and all the Bodhisattvas of this Bhadrakalpa. Also, there were sixteen righteous men such as Bhadrapala: Bodhisattva Shan Siyi (the Bodhisattva who is good at contemplation), Bodhisattva Xin Hui (the Bodhisattva with faith and wisdom), Bodhisattva Kong Wu (the Bodhisattva who has realized emptiness), Bodhisattva Shentong Hua (the Bodhisattva with supernatural powers), all of whom revered the virtues of the great Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, possessed the immeasurable practices and vows of all Bodhisattvas, and abided in all meritorious dharmas. These Bodhisattvas and great beings all came to the assembly at that time. Chapter Two: Ananda's Question At that time, the World Honored One's countenance was radiant and beautiful. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
异于他日。尊者阿难，即从座起偏袒右肩，长跪合掌而白佛言：“今日世尊诸根悦豫，姿色清净光显巍巍，如镜明莹畅彻表里。自我侍佛以来，未尝获睹威容有如今日。岂非念过去诸佛，或现在、未来诸佛，故致然耶？” 佛言：“善哉！阿难！有诸天教汝来问？汝自问耶？” 阿难言：“我自以所见而发此问。” 佛言：“汝所问者，胜于供养一天下声闻、缘觉，及布施诸天人民，下至蜎飞蠕动之类，虽至累劫，尚百千万亿倍不可以及。所以者何？盖诸天帝王人民，下至蜎飞蠕动之类，皆因汝所问而得度脱之道。阿难！如世间有优昙钵华，虽有其实不见其华，有佛出世华然后有，佛难值遇亦如此华。今我出世，汝善知吾意，特为发问，诚不妄侍佛矣！汝当谛听！吾为汝说。” 对言：“诚欲闻之！” 五十三佛分第三 佛言：“前已过去劫，大众多不可计，无边幅不可议。尔时有佛出世，名定光如来，教化度脱无量众生皆令得道，乃取灭度。次有佛名光远，次有佛名月光，次有佛名栴檀香，次有佛名善山王，次有佛名须弥天冠，次有佛名须弥等曜，次有佛名月色，次有佛名正念，次有佛名离垢，次有佛名无著，次有佛名龙天，次有佛名夜光，次有佛名安明顶，次有佛名不动地 现代汉语译本 与往日不同。尊者阿难，即从座位起身，袒露右肩，长跪合掌，对佛说道：‘今日世尊您诸根清悦，容貌清净，光彩显耀，如同明镜一般清澈透亮。自我侍奉佛以来，从未见过您如此威严的容貌。难道是因为忆念过去诸佛，或者现在、未来诸佛的缘故吗？’ 佛说：‘好啊，阿难！是有诸天神教你来问，还是你自己发问的呢？’ 阿难说：‘是我自己所见而发此问。’ 佛说：‘你所问的这个问题，胜过供养整个天下的声闻（听闻佛法而得道者）、缘觉（不依师教，自己悟道者），以及布施给诸天人民，乃至微小的蠕动生物，即使经过累劫，也无法相比，相差百千万亿倍。这是为什么呢？因为诸天帝王人民，乃至微小的蠕动生物，都因你所问的问题而得到解脱之道。阿难！如同世间有优昙钵花（传说中三千年一开的稀有花），虽然有花苞却不见其花，只有佛出世时才开花，佛的难得值遇也像这花一样。现在我出世了，你善解我的心意，特意发问，真是不枉侍奉我啊！你应当仔细听！我为你解说。’ 阿难回答说：‘我诚心想听！’ 五十三佛分第三 佛说：‘在过去无量劫之前，有无数众生，多得不可计数，无边无际，不可思议。那时有佛出世，名为定光如来（佛名，意为安定之光），教化度脱无量众生，都令他们得道，然后入灭。之后有佛名为光远（佛名，意为光明深远），之后有佛名为月光（佛名，意为月亮之光），之后有佛名为栴檀香（佛名，意为栴檀之香），之后有佛名为善山王（佛名，意为善良之山王），之后有佛名为须弥天冠（佛名，意为须弥山之天冠），之后有佛名为须弥等曜（佛名，意为与须弥山一样光耀），之后有佛名为月色（佛名，意为月亮之色），之后有佛名为正念（佛名，意为正确的念头），之后有佛名为离垢（佛名，意为远离污垢），之后有佛名为无著（佛名，意为没有执着），之后有佛名为龙天（佛名，意为龙之天），之后有佛名为夜光（佛名，意为夜晚之光），之后有佛名为安明顶（佛名，意为安稳明亮之顶），之后有佛名为不动地（佛名，意为不动摇之地）。’
English
English version Different from other days. Venerable Ananda, then rose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, knelt down with his palms together, and said to the Buddha: 'Today, World Honored One, your faculties are joyful, your appearance is pure, your radiance is magnificent, like a clear mirror, transparent inside and out. Since I have been serving the Buddha, I have never seen your majestic appearance like today. Could it be because you are contemplating the Buddhas of the past, or the Buddhas of the present and future?' The Buddha said: 'Excellent, Ananda! Did the devas teach you to ask this question, or did you ask it yourself?' Ananda said: 'I asked this question based on what I have seen.' The Buddha said: 'Your question is superior to the offering of a whole world of Sravakas (those who attain enlightenment by hearing the Dharma) and Pratyekabuddhas (those who attain enlightenment on their own), and to the giving of alms to devas and people, even down to the smallest crawling creatures. Even if it were done for countless kalpas, it would not be comparable, not even by a hundred million times. Why is this so? Because all the devas, kings, people, and even the smallest crawling creatures, will obtain the path to liberation because of your question. Ananda! It is like the Udumbara flower (a rare flower said to bloom once every three thousand years) in the world, which has a bud but is not seen until a Buddha appears in the world. The rare encounter with a Buddha is like this flower. Now that I have appeared in the world, you understand my intention well and have asked this question. You have truly not served the Buddha in vain! You should listen carefully! I will explain it to you.' Ananda replied: 'I sincerely wish to hear it!' The Third Section on the Fifty-Three Buddhas The Buddha said: 'In the past, countless kalpas ago, there were countless beings, so many that they could not be counted, boundless and inconceivable. At that time, a Buddha appeared in the world named Dipankara Tathagata (Buddha name, meaning 'Fixed Light'), who taught and liberated countless beings, leading them all to enlightenment, and then entered Nirvana. After that, there was a Buddha named Guangyuan (Buddha name, meaning 'Far-Reaching Light'), then a Buddha named Yueguang (Buddha name, meaning 'Moonlight'), then a Buddha named Chandana Xiang (Buddha name, meaning 'Sandalwood Fragrance'), then a Buddha named Shanshan Wang (Buddha name, meaning 'King of Good Mountains'), then a Buddha named Sumeru Tianguan (Buddha name, meaning 'Crown of Mount Sumeru'), then a Buddha named Sumeru Dengyao (Buddha name, meaning 'Shining Like Mount Sumeru'), then a Buddha named Yuese (Buddha name, meaning 'Moon Color'), then a Buddha named Zheng Nian (Buddha name, meaning 'Right Mindfulness'), then a Buddha named Ligou (Buddha name, meaning 'Free from Defilement'), then a Buddha named Wuzhuo (Buddha name, meaning 'Without Attachment'), then a Buddha named Longtian (Buddha name, meaning 'Dragon Heaven'), then a Buddha named Yeguang (Buddha name, meaning 'Night Light'), then a Buddha named Anmingding (Buddha name, meaning 'Peaceful and Bright Summit'), then a Buddha named Budongdi (Buddha name, meaning 'Unmoving Ground').' --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
，次有佛名琉璃妙花，次有佛名琉璃金色，次有佛名金藏，次有佛名炎光，次有佛名炎根，次有佛名地种，次有佛名月像，次有佛名日音，次有佛名解脱华，次有佛名庄严光明，次有佛名海觉神通，次有佛名水光，次有佛名大香，次有佛名离尘垢，次有佛名舍厌意，次有佛名宝炎，次有佛名妙顶，次有佛名勇力，次有佛名功德持慧，次有佛名蔽日月光，次有佛名日月琉璃光，次有佛名无上琉璃光，次有佛名最上首，次有佛名菩提华，次有佛名月明，次有佛名日光，次有佛名华色王，次有佛名水月光，次有佛名除痴冥，次有佛名度盖行，次有佛名净信，次有佛名善宿，次有佛名威神，次有佛名法慧，次有佛名鸾音，次有佛名师子音，次有佛名龙音，次有佛名处世，如此诸佛皆已过去。” 法藏本因分第四 佛言：“次有佛名世自在王如来、应供、等正觉、明行足、善逝、世间解、无上士、调御丈夫、天人师、佛、世尊，十号具足，在世教化四十二劫。尔时有大国王，闻佛说法喜悦开悟，即弃王位往作沙门，号法藏比丘，高才智慧勇猛无能及者。诣彼佛所稽首礼足，右绕三匝长跪合掌，以偈赞佛： “‘如来妙色相， 世间无等伦； 远胜日摩尼， 火月清净水。 威神无有极， 名声震十 现代汉语译本：接下来有佛名为琉璃妙花（Lapis Lazuli Wonderful Flower），接下来有佛名为琉璃金色（Lapis Lazuli Golden Color），接下来有佛名为金藏（Golden Treasury），接下来有佛名为炎光（Flame Light），接下来有佛名为炎根（Flame Root），接下来有佛名为地种（Earth Seed），接下来有佛名为月像（Moon Image），接下来有佛名为日音（Sun Sound），接下来有佛名为解脱华（Liberation Flower），接下来有佛名为庄严光明（Adorned Light），接下来有佛名为海觉神通（Ocean Awareness Supernatural Power），接下来有佛名为水光（Water Light），接下来有佛名为大香（Great Fragrance），接下来有佛名为离尘垢（Free from Dust and Defilement），接下来有佛名为舍厌意（Abandon Disgust），接下来有佛名为宝炎（Precious Flame），接下来有佛名为妙顶（Wonderful Summit），接下来有佛名为勇力（Courageous Strength），接下来有佛名为功德持慧（Merit Holding Wisdom），接下来有佛名为蔽日月光（Obscuring Sun and Moon Light），接下来有佛名为日月琉璃光（Sun and Moon Lapis Lazuli Light），接下来有佛名为无上琉璃光（Supreme Lapis Lazuli Light），接下来有佛名为最上首（Supreme Leader），接下来有佛名为菩提华（Bodhi Flower），接下来有佛名为月明（Moon Brightness），接下来有佛名为日光（Sun Light），接下来有佛名为华色王（Flower Color King），接下来有佛名为水月光（Water Moon Light），接下来有佛名为除痴冥（Eliminating Ignorance Darkness），接下来有佛名为度盖行（Transcending Coverings Practice），接下来有佛名为净信（Pure Faith），接下来有佛名为善宿（Good Abode），接下来有佛名为威神（Majestic Power），接下来有佛名为法慧（Dharma Wisdom），接下来有佛名为鸾音（Luan Bird Sound），接下来有佛名为师子音（Lion Sound），接下来有佛名为龙音（Dragon Sound），接下来有佛名为处世（Living in the World），如此诸佛都已过去。 法藏本因分第四 佛说：‘接下来有佛名为世自在王如来（World自在 King Tathagata）、应供（Worthy of Offerings）、等正觉（Perfectly Enlightened）、明行足（Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct）、善逝（Well-Gone）、世间解（Knower of the World）、无上士（Unsurpassed One）、调御丈夫（Tamer of Men）、天人师（Teacher of Gods and Humans）、佛（Buddha）、世尊（World Honored One），十号具足，在世教化四十二劫。当时有一大国王，听闻佛说法后喜悦开悟，随即舍弃王位出家为沙门，号为法藏比丘（Dharmakara Bhikshu），他才智高超，勇猛无能及者。他前往那位佛的住所，稽首礼足，右绕三匝，长跪合掌，以偈赞佛：’ ‘如来的美妙色相，世间没有能与之相比的；远远胜过太阳、摩尼宝珠、火焰、月亮和清净的水。威神之力没有穷尽，名声震动十方。’