Illustrated

Contemplation Sutra

《佛说观无量寿佛经》曼陀罗图解

经文翻译：刘宋西域三藏法师畺良耶舍 译

(31-33)

Illustrations from the Taima Mandala

By Hisao Inagaki

Two aspirants of the highest level of the highest grade welcomed by Amida and many bodhisattvas.

Those born on the lotus-flowers;

some enjoying boat-riding

Those newly born, joined by bodhisattvas, offering dance and  music  to the Buddha.

[31] 尔时世尊说是语时。韦提希与五百侍女。闻佛所说。应时即见极乐世界广长之相。得见佛身及二菩萨。心生欢喜叹未曾有。豁然大悟得无生忍。五百侍女发阿耨多罗三藐三菩提心。愿生彼国。世尊悉记皆当往生。生彼国已。获得诸佛现前三昧。无量诸天发无上道心。

As the Buddha delivered these words, Vaidehi and her five hundred female attendants listened to his teaching. Having envisioned the boundless features of the Land of Utmost Bliss, the Buddha (Amitayus) and the two bodhisattvas, Vaidehi rejoiced in her heart. Wonder-struck at this revelation, [346b] she attained great awakening with clarity of mind and reached the insight into the non-arising of all dharmas. Her five hundred female attendants awakened aspiration for the highest, perfect Enlightenment and desired to be born in that land. The World-Honored One gave all of them assurances that they would be born there and that they would then attain the Samadhi of Being in the Presence of All the Buddhas. Innumerable devas also awakened aspiration for the highest Enlightenment.

[32] 尔时阿难。即从座起前白佛言。世尊。当何名此经。此法之要当云何受持。佛告阿难。此经名观极乐国土无量寿佛观世音菩萨大势至菩萨。亦名净除业障生诸佛前。汝等受持无令忘失。行此三昧者。现身得见无量寿佛及二大士。若善男子及善女人。但闻佛名二菩萨名。除无量劫生死之罪。何况忆念。若念佛者。当知此人即是人中芬陀利花。观世音菩萨大势至菩萨。为其胜友。当坐道场生诸佛家。佛告阿难。汝好持是语。持是语者即是持无量寿佛名。佛说此语时。尊者目连。尊者阿难。及韦提希等。闻佛所说。皆大欢喜。

Then Ananda rose from his seat, stepped forward, and said to the Buddha, "World-Honored One, what should we call this sutra and how should we receive and retain the essentials of its teaching?"
The Buddha answered, "Ananda, this sutra is called the Visualization of the Land of Utmost Bliss, of the Buddha Amitayus, and of the Bodhisattvas Avalokiteshvara and Mahasthamaprapta. It is also called the Purification and Elimination of Karmic Hindrances for Attaining Birth in the Presence of All the Buddhas. Hold fast to this sutra and do not forget it. Those who practice this samadhi will be able to see, during their lifetime, the Buddha Amitayus and the two Mahasattvas. If good men or women simply hear the Name of this Buddha or the names of those two bodhisattvas, the evil karma which they have committed during innumerable kalpas of Samsara will be extinguished. And so, how much more merit will they acquire if they concentrate on them! You should know that all who are mindful of that Buddha are like white lotus-flowers among humankind; the Bodhisattvas Avalokiteshvara and Mahasthamaprapta become their good friends. They will sit in the place of Enlightenment and be born into the family of the Buddhas."
The Buddha further said to Ananda, "Bear these words well in mind. To bear these words in mind means to hold fast to the Name of the Buddha Amitayus."
When the Buddha had spoken thus, the Venerable Mahamaudgalyayana, Venerable Ananda, Vaidehi and all the others greatly rejoiced to hear the Buddha's discourse.

[33] 尔时世尊。足步虚空还耆阇崛山。尔时阿难。广为大众说如上事。无量人天龙神夜叉。闻佛所说皆大欢喜礼佛而退。

Then the World-Honored One returned to the Vulture Peak through the air. There Ananda fully explained to the assembly what had happened. Innumerable humans, devas, nagas, yaksas and all the other beings greatly rejoiced to hear the Buddha's teaching. Having worshipped the World-Honored One, they departed.

参考稻垣久雄教授的英文版曼陀罗图解
汉译经文配图：肖越（慈光居士）