Revised July 24, 2000

AMIDA SUTRA

THE SUTRA ON AMIDA BUDDHA
delivered by Shakyamuni Buddha

《佛说阿弥陀经》英汉对照
Translated into Chinese during the Yao-Ch'in dynasty
by the Tripitaka Master Kumarajiva from Kuccha

translated from Chinese by Hisao Inagaki
英文翻译：稻垣久雄 教授

[0346b28] 如是我闻。一时佛在[33]舍卫国[34]祇树[35]给孤独园。与大比丘[36]僧千二百五十人俱。皆是大阿罗汉。众所知识。长老[37]舍利弗。摩诃目[38]干连。摩诃迦叶。摩诃迦[39]栴延。摩诃[40]拘絺罗。离婆多。[41]周梨槃陀迦。难陀。阿难陀。罗睺罗。憍梵波提。宾头卢颇罗堕。迦留陀夷。摩诃劫宾那。薄[42]俱罗。阿[少/兔]楼驮。如是等诸大弟子。并诸菩萨摩诃萨。[43]文殊师利法王子。阿逸多菩萨。乾陀诃提菩萨。常精进菩萨。与如是等诸大菩萨。及释提桓因等。无量诸天大众俱

[1] Thus have I heard. At one time the Buddha was staying in the Jeta Grove monastery of Anathapindada's Garden at Shravasti, together with a large assembly of twelve hundred and fifty monks, who were all great arhats, well-known to the people. Among them were great disciples such as the Elders Shariputra, Mahamaudgalyayana, Mahakashyapa, Mahakatyayana, Mahakausthila, Revata, Shuddhipanthaka, Nanda, Ananda, Rahula, Gavampati, Pindola-Bharadvaja, Kalodayin, Mahakapphina, Vakkula and Aniruddha. He was also accompanied by many bodhisattvas, mahasattvas, such as the Dharma Prince, Manjushri, the Bodhisattva Ajita, the Bodhisattva Sweet-smelling Elephant, and the Bodhisattva Constant Endeavor, and by innumerable devas, including Shakra, lord of the gods, and many others.

[0346c10] 尔时佛告长老舍利弗。从是西方过十万亿佛土。有世界名曰[44]极乐。其土有佛号[45]阿弥陀。今现在说法。

[2] The Buddha then said to the Elder Shariputra: "If you travel westward from here, passing a hundred thousand kotis of Buddha-lands, you come to the land called 'Utmost Bliss,' where there is a Buddha named 'Amida.' He is living there now, teaching the Dharma.

舍利弗。彼土何故名为极乐。其国众生无有众苦。但受诸乐故名极乐。又舍利弗。极乐国土。七重[46]栏楯七重[47]罗网七重[48]行树。皆是四宝周匝围绕。是故彼国名曰极乐。又舍利弗。极乐国土有七宝[49]池。八功德水充满其中。池底纯以金沙布地。四边阶道。金银琉璃[1]颇梨合成。上有楼阁。亦以金银琉璃[＊]颇梨[2]车磲赤珠[3]马瑙而严饰之。池中莲花大如车轮。青色青光。黄色黄光。赤色赤光。白色白光微妙香洁。舍利弗。极乐国土成就如是功德庄严。

[3] "Shariputra, why is that land called 'Utmost Bliss'? The beings in that land suffer no pain but only enjoy pleasures of various kinds. For this reason, that land is called 'Utmost Bliss.' Again, Shariputra, in that Land of Utmost Bliss there are seven rows of balustrades, seven rows of decorative nets, and seven rows of trees. They are all made of four kinds of jewels and extend over the whole land, encompassing everything. For this reason, that land is called 'Utmost Bliss.' Again, Shariputra, in the Land of Utmost Bliss there are seven-jewelled ponds, filled with water of the eight excellent qualities. The beds of the ponds are covered solely with gold sand, and from the four sides of each pond rise stairs of gold, silver, beryl and crystal. Above these stand pavilions adorned with gold, silver, beryl, crystal, sapphire, rosy pearls, and carnelian. In the ponds are lotuses as large as chariot-wheels -- the blue ones radiating a blue light, the yellow a yellow light, the red a red light and the white ones a white light. They are marvelous and beautiful, fragrant and pure. Shariputra, the Land of Utmost Bliss is filled with such splendid adornments.

[0347a07] 又舍利弗。彼佛国土常作天乐。黄金为地。昼夜六时[4]天雨[5]曼陀罗华。其[6]国众生常以清旦各以衣裓盛众妙华。供养他方十万亿佛。即以食时还到本国。饭食经行。舍利弗。极乐国土成就如是功德庄严。
"Again, Shariputra, in that Buddha-land heavenly music is played continually. The ground is made of gold. Six times during the day and night mandarava flowers rain down from the sky. Every day, in the serenity of the early morning, the people of that land fill the hem of their robes with exquisite flowers and go to make offerings to a hundred thousand kotis of Buddhas dwelling in the worlds of other quarters. Then they return for their morning meal. After the meal they enjoy a stroll. Shariputra, the Land of Utmost Bliss is filled with such splendid adornments.

[0347a12] 复次舍利弗。彼国常有种种奇妙杂色之鸟。[7]白[8]鹄孔雀鹦鹉舍利迦陵频伽共命之鸟。是诸众鸟。昼夜六时出和雅音。其音演畅[9]五根五力七菩提分八圣道分如是等法。其土众生闻是音已。皆悉念佛念法念僧。舍利弗。汝勿谓此鸟实是罪报所生。所以者何。彼佛国土无三恶[10]趣。舍利弗。其佛国土尚无三恶道之名。何况有实。是诸众鸟。皆是阿弥陀佛。欲令法音宣流变化所作。

"Again, Shariputra, in that land there are always many kinds of rare and beautiful birds of various colors, such as swans, peacocks, parrots, sharis, kalavinkas and jivamjivakas. Six times during the day and night birds sing with melodious and delicate sounds, which proclaim such teachings as the five roots of goodness, the five powers, the seven practices leading to Enlightenment, and the Eightfold Noble Path. On hearing them, the people of that land become mindful of the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. But, Shariputra, you should not assume that these birds are born as retribution of their evil karma. The reason is that none of the three evil realms exists in that Buddha-land. Shariputra, even the names of the three evil realms do not exist there; how much less the realms themselves? These birds are manifested by Amida Buddha so that their singing can proclaim and spread the Dharma.

舍利弗。彼佛国土。微风吹动诸宝行树及宝罗网出微妙音。譬如百千种乐同时俱作。闻是音者[11]皆自然生念佛念法念僧之心。舍利弗。其佛国土成就如是功德庄严。

"In that Buddha-land, Shariputra, when soft breezes waft through the rows of jewelled trees and jewelled nets, they produce subtle, wonderful sounds. It is as if a hundred thousand musical instruments were playing together. Everyone who hears the sounds spontaneously becomes mindful of the Buddha, the Dharma and Sangha. Shariputra, that Buddha-land is filled with such splendid adornments.

[0347a25] 舍利弗。于汝意云何。彼佛何故号[12]阿弥陀。舍利弗。彼佛光明无量。照十方国无所障碍。是故号为阿弥陀。又舍利弗。彼佛寿命。及其人民无量无边阿僧祇劫。故名[13]阿弥陀。舍利弗。阿弥陀佛成佛已来于今十劫。又舍利弗。彼佛有无量无边声闻弟子。皆阿罗汉。非是算数之所能知。诸菩[14]萨亦复如是。舍利弗。彼佛国土成就如是功德庄严。

[4] For what reason, Shariputra, do you think that Buddha is called 'Amida'? Shariputra, the Buddha's light shines boundlessly and without hindrance over all the worlds of the ten quarters. It is for this reason that he is called 'Amida' (Amitabha). Again, Shariputra, the lives of the Buddha and the people of his land last for immeasurable, unlimited and incalculable kalpas. It is for this reason that the Buddha is called 'Amida' (Amitayus). Shariputra, ten kalpas have passed since Amida Buddha attained Enlightenment. Moreover, Shariputra, he has an immeasurable and unlimited number of shravaka disciples, all of them arhats, whose number cannot be reckoned by any means. His assembly of bodhisattvas is similarly vast. Shariputra, that Buddha-land is filled with such splendid adornments.

[0347b04] 又舍利弗。极乐国土众生生者皆是[15]阿鞞跋致。其中多有[16]一生补处。其数甚多。非是算数所能知之。但可以无量无边阿僧祇[17]劫说。

[5] "Again, Shariputra, all sentient beings born in the Land of Utmost Bliss dwell in the Stage of Non-retrogression. Many of them are in the Stage of Becoming a Buddha after One More Life. Their number is so great that it is beyond reckoning; it can only be described as innumerable, unlimited and incalculable.

舍利弗。众生闻者。应当发愿愿生彼国。所以者何。得与如是诸上善人俱会一处。舍利弗。不可以少善根福德因缘得生彼国。舍利弗。若有善男子善女人。闻说阿弥陀佛。执持[18]名号。若一日。若二日。若三日。若四日。若五日。若六日。若七日。[19]一心不乱。其人临命终时。阿弥陀佛与诸圣众。现在其前。是人终时[20]心不颠倒。即得往生阿弥陀佛极乐国土。舍利弗。我见是利故说此言。若有众生闻是说者。应当[21]发愿生彼国土。

"Shariputra, those sentient beings who hear of that land should aspire to be born there. Why? Because they will be able to meet such sages of supreme virtue. Shariputra, one cannot attain birth in that land with few roots of goodness or a small stock of merit. Shariputra, if a good man or woman who hears of Amida Buddha holds fast to his Name even for one day, two days, three, four, five, six or seven days with a concentrated and undistracted mind, then, at the hour of death, Amida Buddha will appear before them with a host of holy ones. Consequently, when their life comes to an end, the aspirants' minds will not fall into confusion and so they will be born immediately in the Land of Utmost Bliss of Amida Buddha. Shariputra, perceiving these benefits, I say: All sentient beings who hear this teaching should aspire to birth in that land.

[0347b18] 舍利弗。如我今者赞叹阿弥陀佛不可思议功[22]德。东方亦有[23]阿閦鞞佛。须弥相佛。大须弥佛。须弥光佛。妙音佛。如是等恒河沙数诸佛。各于其国出广长舌相。遍覆三千大千世界说[24]诚实言。汝等众生当信是[25]称赞不可思议功德一切诸佛所护念经。

[6] "Shariputra, just as I praise the inconceivable virtue of Amida Buddha, so do the Buddhas in the eastern quarter, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, such as Aksobhya Buddha, Meru-dhvaja Buddha, Mahameru Buddha, Meru-prabhasa Buddha, and Manju-svara Buddha. While dwelling in their own lands, they extend their long, broad tongues and, encompassing with them the universe of a thousand million worlds, pronounce these words of truth: Sentient beings should accept this sutra entitled 'Praise of the Inconceivable Virtue and Protection by All Buddhas.'

[0347b24] 舍利弗。南方世界有[26]日月灯佛。名闻光佛。大焰肩佛。须弥灯佛。无量精进佛。如是等恒河沙数诸佛。各于其国出广长舌相。遍覆三千大千世界说诚实言。汝等众生当信是称赞不可思议功德一切诸佛所护念经。

[7] "Shariputra, there are in the southern quarter Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, such as Candra-surya-pradipa Buddha, Yashah-prabha Buddha, Maharci-skandha Buddha, Meru-pradipa Buddha, and Ananta-virya Buddha. While dwelling in their own lands, they extend their long, broad tongues and, encompassing with them the universe of a thousand million worlds, pronounce these words of truth: Sentient beings should accept this sutra entitled 'Praise of the Inconceivable Virtue and Protection by All Buddhas.'

[0347b29] 舍利弗。西方世界有[27]无量寿佛。无量相佛。无量幢佛。大光佛。大明佛。宝相佛。净光佛。如是等恒河沙数诸佛。各于其国出广长舌相。遍覆三千大千世界说诚实言。汝等众生。当信是称赞不可思议功德一切诸佛所护念经。

[8] "Shariputra, there are in the western quarter Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, such as Amitayus Buddha, Amita-ketu Buddha, Amita-dhvaja Buddha, Mahaprabha Buddha, Mahaprabhasa Buddha, Ratna-ketu Buddha and Shuddha-rashmi-prabha Buddha. While dwelling in their own lands, they extend their long, broad tongues and, encompassing with them the universe of a thousand million worlds, pronounce these words of truth: Sentient beings should accept this sutra entitled 'Praise of the Inconceivable Virtue and Protection by All Buddhas.'

[0347c06] 舍利弗。北方世界有[28]焰肩佛。最胜音佛。难[29]沮佛。日生佛。网明佛。如是等恒河沙数诸佛。各于其国出广长舌相遍覆三千大千世界说诚实言。汝等众生。当信是称赞不可思议功德一切诸佛所护念经

[9] "Shariputra, there are in the northern quarter Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, such as Arci-skandha Buddha, Vaishvanara-nirghosa Buddha, Duspradharsa Buddha, Aditya-sambhava Buddha and Jalini-prabha Buddha. While dwelling in their own lands, they extend their long, broad tongues and, encompassing with them the universe of a thousand million worlds, pronounce these words of truth: Sentient beings should accept this sutra entitled 'Praise of the Inconceivable Virtue and Protection by All Buddhas.'

[0347c11] 舍利弗。下方世界有[30]师子佛。名闻佛。名光佛。达摩佛。法幢佛。持法佛。如是等恒河沙数诸佛。各于其国出广长舌相。遍覆三千大千世界说诚实言。汝等众生。当信是称赞不可思议功德一切诸佛所护念经。

[10] "Shariputra, there are in the nadir Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, such as Simha Buddha, Yashas Buddha, Yashah-prabhasa Buddha, Dharma Buddha, Dharma-dhvaja Buddha and Dharma-dhara Buddha. While dwelling in their own lands, they extend their long, broad tongues and, encompassing with them the universe of a thousand million worlds, pronounce these words of truth: Sentient beings should accept this sutra entitled 'Praise of the Inconceivable Virtue and Protection by All Buddhas.'

[0347c16] 舍利弗。上方世界有[31]梵音佛。宿王佛。香上佛。香光佛。大焰肩佛。杂色宝华严身佛。娑罗树王佛。宝华德佛。见一切义佛。如须弥山佛。如是等恒河沙数诸佛。各于其国。出广长舌相。遍覆三千大千世界说诚实言。汝等众生。当信是称赞不可思议功德一切诸佛所护念经。

[11] "Shariputra, there are in the zenith Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, such as Brahma-ghosa Buddha, Naksatra-raja Buddha, Gandhottama Buddha, Gandha-prabhasa Buddha, Maharci-skandha Buddha, Ratna-kusuma-sampuspita-gatra Buddha, Salendra-raja Buddha, Ratnotpalashri Buddha, Sarva-artha-darsha Buddha and Sumeru-kalpa Buddha. While dwelling in their own lands, they extend their long, broad tongues and, encompassing with them the universe of a thousand million worlds, pronounce these words of truth: Sentient beings should accept this sutra entitled 'Praise of the Inconceivable Virtue and Protection by All Buddhas.'

[0348a07] 舍利弗。于汝意云何。何故名为一切诸佛所护念经。舍利弗。若有善男子善女人。闻是[1]经受持者。及闻诸佛名者。是诸善男子善女人。皆为一切诸佛[2]共所护念。皆得不退转于阿耨多罗三藐三菩提。是故舍利弗。汝等皆当信受我语及诸佛所说。

[12] "Shariputra, why do you think this teaching is called 'the Sutra of Protection by All Buddhas'? Shariputra, all good men and women who hear the Name of Amida Buddha expounded by all the Buddhas and the name of this sutra1) are protected by all the Buddhas and dwell in the Stage of Non-retrogression for realizing the highest, perfect Enlightenment. This is why, Shariputra, you should accept my words and the teachings of all the Buddhas.

[0348a13] 舍利弗。若有人已发愿。今发愿。当发愿。欲生阿弥陀佛国者。是诸人等。皆得不退转于阿耨多罗三藐三菩提。于彼国土若已生。若今生。若当生。是故舍利弗。诸善男子善女人。若有信者。应当发愿生彼国土。

"Shariputra, those who have already aspired, now aspire or in the future will aspire to be born in Amida Buddha's land, all dwell in the Stage of Non-retrogression for realizing the highest, perfect Enlightenment. They have already been born, are now being born, or will be born in that land. Hence, Shariputra, good men and women of faith should aspire to birth there.

[0348a18] 舍利弗。如我今者称赞诸佛不可思议功德。彼诸佛等。亦称[3]说我不可思议功德。而作是言。释迦牟尼佛能为[4]甚难希有之事。能于[5]娑婆国土[6]五浊恶世。劫浊。见浊。烦恼浊。众生浊。命浊中。得阿耨多罗三藐三菩提。为诸众生。说是一切世间难信之法。

[13] "Shariputra, just as I now praise the inconceivable virtue of other Buddhas, they also praise my inconceivable virtue, saying, 'Shakyamuni Buddha, you have accomplished an extremely difficult and unprecedented task. In this Saha world, during the evil period of the five defilements -- those of time, views, passions, sentient beings, and life-span -- you have attained the highest, perfect Enlightenment and, for the sake of sentient beings, have delivered this teaching, which is the most difficult in the world to accept in faith.'

舍利弗当知。我于五浊恶世。行此难事。得阿耨多罗三藐三菩提。为一切世间。说此难信之法。是为甚难。

"Shariputra, you must realize that I have accomplished this difficult task during the period of the five defilements. That is to say, having attained the highest, perfect Enlightenment, I have, for the sake of all the world, delivered this teaching, which is so hard for them to accept. This is indeed an extremely difficult task."

佛说此经已。舍利弗及诸比丘。一切世间天人阿修罗等。闻佛所说欢喜信受。作礼而去。
[14] When the Buddha delivered this sutra, Shariputra and all the monks, together with beings of the whole world, including devas, humans and asuras, rejoiced at what they had heard and reverently accepted it. Having worshiped him, they departed.

The End of
The Sutra on Amida Buddha
delivered by Shakyamuni Buddha

Chinese-English Version by XiaoYue Revised Feb19, 2005

中英文对照：三宝弟子肖越 于京都

[Note 1] The Taisho Tripitaka edition reads: all good men and women who hear this sutra and hold fast to it and also those who hear the names of those Buddhas.