[The following is a summary of the Amitābha Sūtra, for reminding all, including the living, dying and deceased, of its key important teachings.] It was taught by our fundamental teacher Śākyamuni Buddha, to many great Arhats, who have attained personal liberation, many great Bodhisattvas, who aspire to guide all to Buddhahood, many gods, and many other great disciples. [As we listen to it now, we too are like these disciples in the audience, who should pay attention with utmost sincerity.]
The Buddha taught that to the West of our world, is the Pure Land Of Ultimate Bliss, where Āmítuófó is now teaching the Dharma. All there are free from all suffering, and only have all kinds of bliss. Adorned with treasures, it has balustrades, nets, trees, towering pavilions, ponds with water of meritorious virtues, and radiant lotus flowers, which are refined, wonderful, fragrant and pure. [As] that land is adorned with such meritorious virtues, [we should practise mindfulness of Āmítuófó’s name with utmost sincerity to reach his Pure Land].
With heavenly music, it rains rare and beautiful flowers, which can be swiftly offered to innumerable Buddhas in other lands. Manifested by Āmítuófó to propagate the Dharma are many rare, wonderful and colourful birds, who produce harmonious and elegant sounds, to inspire all to be mindful of the Triple Gem – the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. The breezes that move the trees and nets also produce refined and wonderful sounds, like a hundred thousand kinds of music playing together, to inspire all to be mindful of the Triple Gem. [As] that land is adorned with such meritorious virtues, [we should practise mindfulness of Āmítuófó’s name with utmost sincerity to reach his Pure Land].
Āmítuófó name is so as his light is immeasurable and illuminates everywhere, and as his lifespan and those in his land is immeasurable. Including immeasurable Arhats and Bodhisattvas, all born there will not backslide spiritually, with many about to manifest Buddhahood. Thus, to meet all these beings of superior goodness, those who hear this should vow to be born there, [and practise mindfulness of Āmítuófó’s name with utmost sincerity to reach his Pure Land].
Those who faithfully and wholeheartedly uphold Āmítuófó’s name, for one [day or less], to seven [days or more], will see Āmítuófó with an assembly of many noble beings appear, to ensure that their minds will not be inverted, for immediate birth in his land. Thus, those who hear this should vow to be born there, [and practise mindfulness of Āmítuófó’s name with utmost sincerity to reach his Pure Land].
Just as Śākyamuni Buddha praised Āmítuófó, in all directions are all other innumerable Buddhas, each also teaching all in their worlds to have faith in this ‘Sūtra With (Praises Of Inconceivable Meritorious Virtues And) All Buddhas’ Mindful Protection’. It is named so as all who accept it and practise accordingly, will be mindfully protected by all Buddhas, and attain non-backsliding progress for Buddhahood. Thus, all should faithfully accept this teaching by all Buddhas, [and practise mindfulness of Āmítuófó’s name with utmost sincerity to reach his Pure Land].
All who have already vowed, are now vowing, or will be vowing to be born in land will attain non-backsliding progress for Buddhahood. There, they have already been born, are now being born, or will be born. Thus, all should vow to be born there, [and practise mindfulness of Āmítuófó’s name with utmost sincerity to reach his Pure Land].
All Buddhas also praise Śākyamuni Buddha, for accomplishing the extremely difficult and rare matter of attaining Buddhahood, in this world during this evil period, and for teaching this to all. [Just as] all rejoiced and faithfully accepted these teachings, [we should also rejoice and faithfully accept these teachings now, and practise mindfulness of Āmítuófó’s name with utmost sincerity to reach his Pure Land.]
Related Teachings:
Synopsis Of The Amitābha Sūtra
https://purelanders.com/2015/10/16/synopsis-of-the-amitabha-sutra
New Translation Of The Amitābha Sūtra
https://purelanders.com/sutra
