Smaller Sukhavativyuha Sutra (Amitabha Sutra)

Translated by Joel Serrano into English

from the Chinese text by Kumarajiva

Thus I have heard...

At one time, Shakyamuni Buddha was in the city of Shravasti, in the Jeta
Grove, together with a group of twelve-hundred and fifty monks, all of them
enlightened and well-known to all. Among them were his main Elders,
disciples like: Shariputra, Mahamaudgalyayana, Mahakasyapa,
Mahakatyayana, Mahakausthila, Revata, Suddhipanthaka, Nanda, Ananda,
Rahula, Gavampati, Pindola-Bharadvaja, Kalodayin, Mahakaphina, Vakkula,
Aniruddha, and others such as these, all Great Men. Also present were many
great and powerful beings, such as: Manjushri- Prince of the Dharma, Ajita,
Gandhastin, Nityodukta, and others such as these, all Great Bodhisattvas.
Present also was Shakra, the King of All Gods, and countless other beings
from all the heavens.

At that time, the Buddha said to the Elder Shariputra, "West of here, passing
through billions and billions of Buddhalands, exists a world known simply as
Sukhavati (Ultimate Happiness). In this land a Buddha named Amitabha right
now teaches the Dharma.

"Shariputra, why is this land called 'Ultimate Happiness?' Because all living
beings residing in this world never suffer, but enjoy every happiness there is
to have. Therefore, it is called Ultimate Happiness.

"Furthermore, Shariputra, this land of Ultimate Happiness is completely

surrounded by seven rows of fences, seven layers of fine netting, and seven
rows of trees, all created from the four precious jewels, and for this reason it
is called Ultimate Happiness.

"Furthermore, Shariputra, in the land of Ultimate Happiness are ponds of the

seven jewels, filled with the waters of eight virtuous qualities. The bottom of
each of these jeweled ponds are pure, covered with golden sands. On all four
sides of these ponds are stairs made of pure gold, silver, lapis lazuli, crystal,
mother-of pearl, rubies, and red agate, with towers facing each direction
made of the same materials.

"In the ponds, there bloom lotuses as large as carriage wheels, emitting
green light, red light, yellow light, and white light; all subtle, rare, pure and
abundantly fragrant.

"Shariputra, the Land of Ultimate Happiness is awash in all these virtues, all
this splendor.

"Furthermore, Shariputra, heavenly music is forever playing in this

Buddhaland, and the ground is made of pure gold. All day and night a
heavenly rain of great flowers fall and throughout the morning, each being of
this world offers bags filled with great flowers to the billions of Buddhas to be
found in all of the Buddhalands. At mealtime, they return to their homes and
eat, then they walk around praising all of those Buddhas.

"Shariputra, the Land of Ultimate Happiness is awash in all these virtues, all
this splendor.

"Furthermore, Shariputra, in this country there is an abundance of rare and

unusual birds of many kinds and colors: white geese, cranes, peacocks,
parrots, orioles and two-headed birds. All throughout the day, the birds sing
beautifully elegant songs. Their joyful calls proclaim the Five Roots, the Five
Powers, the Seven Factors of Enlightenment, the Noble Eightfold Path, and
many other truths as taught by the many Buddhas. When the beings of this
world hear their calls they are always mindful of the Buddha, mindful of the
Dharma, and mindful of the Sangha.

"But Shariputra, do not think that these birds are born here because of bad
karma! In this Buddhaland, the three evil paths of animals, ghosts, and
demons do not exist. Even the names of the three evil paths are unknown in
this Buddha's land! All of these rare and magnificent birds are the creation of
Amitabha Buddha, created to produce songs that would announce the
Dharma at all times.

"Shariputra, there blows a gentle wind in that Buddhaland that causes the
trees and the nets that are made of fine jewels to emit wonderfully soft
sounds, like hundreds and hundreds of beautiful melodies all at once. All who
hear these sounds are naturally mindful of the Buddha, mindful of the
Dharma, and mindful of the Sangha.

"Shariputra, the Land of Ultimate Happiness is awash in all these virtues, all
this splendor.

"Shariputra, what do you think? Why is this Buddha called 'Amitabha'?

"Shariputra, that Buddha's light is infinite, illuminating the worlds of the

universe without obstruction. For this reason he is called Amitabha (Infinite
Light).

"Furthermore, Shariputra, the life span of that Buddha and that of his people
extends for an infinite number of eons. For this reason he is called Amitayus
(Infinite Life). And, Shariputra, since Amitabha became a Buddha, ten eons
have passed.

"Furthermore, Shariputra, that Buddha has countless great disciples, all of

whom are enlightened, as well as innumerable great Bodhisattvas at his
service.

"Shariputra, the Land of Ultimate Happiness is awash in all these virtues, all
this splendor.

"Furthermore, Shariputra, the living beings born in the Land of Ultimate

Happiness will never fall into any lower realms. They are all very near
reaching the point of enlightenment. Their number is beyond count and only
in millions and millions of eons could they be counted.

"Shariputra, all living beings who hear of this should vow to be born
in that world. And why? Because those who are born there are able to be
with all of these beings of superior goodness.

"Shariputra, one cannot be born in that world if they only have a few good
roots, blessings or virtues.

"Shariputra, if there is a good man or good woman who hears of Amitabha

Buddha and is mindful of him whether for one day, two days, three days, four
days, five days, six days, as long as seven days with a clear mind, then when
this person is near death, Amitabha and all of his sages will appear before
them. When death comes, their mind will be free of delusion, and they will
quickly be reborn in Amitabha's Land of Ultimate Happiness.

"Shariputra, because I see this benefit, I speak these words. If living beings
hear this teaching that I am proclaiming now they should make the vow: I
wish to be born in that land.

"Shariputra, just as I now praise the great benefits from the merit and virtue
of Amitabha Buddha, so too in the East does Akshobya Buddha, Mark of a
Mountain Buddha, Great Mountain Buddha, Light Mountain Buddha,
Wonderful Voice Buddha; all these Buddhas, countless as the sands of the
Ganges River. They preach the Dharma with a voice that is vast and far-
reaching, one that sounds throughout the universe and proclaims these
sincere and honest truths. All living beings should believe in this teaching,
which all the Buddhas praise for its splendid merit and virtue, a teaching they
protect and keep in mind always.

"Shariputra, in the Southern World, there are even more Buddhas, such as
Sun-Moon Lamp Buddha, Mountain Lamp Buddha, Splendid Light Buddha,
Burning Shoulders Buddha, Infinite Progress Buddha; all these Buddhas,
countless as the sands of the Ganges River. They preach the Dharma with a
voice that is vast and far-reaching, one that sounds throughout the universe
and proclaims these sincere and honest truths. All living beings should
believe in this teaching, which all the Buddhas praise for its splendid merit
and virtue, a teaching they protect and keep in mind always.

"Shariputra, in the Western World, there are even more Buddhas, such as
Eternal Life Buddha, Infinite Characteristics Buddha, Infinite Banner Buddha,
Great Light Buddha, Great Clarity Buddha, Jeweled Buddha, Pure Light
Buddha; all these Buddhas, countless as the sands of the Ganges River. They
preach the Dharma with a voice that is vast and far-reaching, one that
sounds throughout the universe and proclaims these sincere and honest
truths. All living beings should believe in this teaching, which all the Buddhas
praise for its splendid merit and virtue, a teaching they protect and keep in
mind always.
"Shariputra, in the Northern World, there are even more Buddhas, such as
Radiant Shoulders Buddha, Amazing Sound Buddha, Invincible Buddha, Sun-
Birth Buddha, Light Net Buddha; all these Buddhas, countless as the sands of
the Ganges River. They preach the Dharma with a voice that is vast and far-
reaching, one that sounds throughout the universe and proclaims these
sincere and honest truths. All living beings should believe in this teaching,
which all the Buddhas praise for its splendid merit and virtue, a teaching they
protect and keep in mind always.

"Shariputra, in the Underworld, there are even more Buddhas, such as Lion
Buddha, Famous Buddha, Amazing Light Buddha, Dharma Buddha, Dharma
Banner Buddha, Upholding Dharma Buddha; all these Buddhas, countless as
the sands of the Ganges River. They preach the Dharma with a voice that is
vast and far-reaching, one that sounds throughout the universe and
proclaims these sincere and honest truths. All living beings should believe in
this teaching, which all the Buddhas praise for its splendid merit and virtue, a
teaching they protect and keep in mind always.

"Shariputra, in the Heavens, there are even more Buddhas, such as Pure
Voice Buddha, Star King Buddha, Amazing Fragrance Buddha, Fragrant Light
Buddha, Great Flaming Shoulders Buddha, Multicolored Jeweled Body
Buddha, Sala Tree King Buddha, Precious Flower Buddha, Knower of Truths
Buddha, Mountain King Buddha; all these Buddhas, countless as the sands of
the Ganges River. They preach the Dharma with a voice that is vast and far-
reaching, one that sounds throughout the universe and proclaims these
sincere and honest truths. All living beings should believe in this teaching,
which all the Buddhas praise for its splendid merit and virtue, a teaching they
protect and keep in mind alway

"Shariputra, what do you think? Why is it that this is the teaching which all
Buddhas protect and bear in mind?

"Shariputra, if a good man or good woman hears this teaching and keeps to
it, and hears the names of all these Buddhas, this good man or good woman
will be protected by all these Buddhas, and will never digress from reaching
enlightenment. Therefore, all good men and good women 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 in the future 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 never digress from reaching
enlightenment. Therefore, 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 on Earth during the evil time of the Five Corruptions: the
corruption of aging, the corruption of views, the corruption of sickness, the
corruption of living beings, and the corruption of life. He can attain complete
and utter enlightenment and for the sake of all 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 Corruptions,
perform these difficult deeds, attain complete and utter enlightenment, and
for the entire world proclaim this Dharma which is most difficult to believe!"

After the Buddha finished his teaching, Shariputra, all the Great Monks, and
the entire world of gods, humans, demons, and others, hearing what the
Buddha had said, joyously delighted in it, faithfully accepted it, bowed and
departed.