Contemplation Sutra 佛說觀無量壽佛經(節錄)

佛說觀無量壽佛經 (節錄) CONTEMPLATION SUTRA

劉宋西域三藏法師礓良耶舍譯

delivered by Shakyamuni Buddha Translated into Chinese during the Liu-Sung dynasty by the Tripitaka Master Kalayashas from Central Asia

translated from Chinese by Hisao Inagaki

佛告阿難，及韋提希：上品上生者，若有眾生，願生彼國者，發三種心，即便往生。何等為三？ The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, “Those born in the Western Land are of nine grades. Those who attain birth on the highest level of the highest grade are sentient beings who resolve to be born in that land, awaken the three kinds of faith and so are born there. What are the three?

一者，至誠心； 二者，深心； 三者，回向發願心。 具三心者，必生彼國。They are, first, the sincere faith; second, the deep faith; and third, the faith that seeks birth there by transferring one’s merit. Those who have these three kinds of faith will certainly be born there.

復有三種眾生，當得往生，何等為三？ 一者，慈心不殺，具諸戒行； 二者，讀誦大乘方等經典； 三者，修行六念，回向發願，願生彼國。具此功德者，一日乃至七日，即得往生。 “There are three other kinds of sentient beings who also attain birth. Who are the three? They are, first, those who have a compassionate heart, abstain from killing and observe the precepts; second, those who chant the Mahayana sutras of greater scope; and third, those who practice the six forms of mindfulness. They aspire to be born in that Buddha-land by transferring there the merit of practice. With the merit acquired from doing these acts for one to seven days, they attain birth.

生彼國時，此人精進勇猛故，阿彌陀如來與觀世音、大勢至，無數化佛，百千比丘，聲聞大眾，無量諸天，七寶宮殿，觀世音菩薩執金剛台，與大勢至菩薩，至行者前，阿彌陀佛放大光明，照行者身，與諸菩薩授手迎接。 “When an aspirant is about to be born in that land through dedicated and undaunted practices, the Tathagata Amitayus arrives together with Avalokiteshvara, Mahasthamaprapta, innumerable transformed Buddhas, a great assembly of a hundred thousand monks and shravakas and innumerable devas in seven-jewelled palaces. The Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, carrying a vajra-seat, together with the Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta, approaches the aspirant. Amitayus releases a great flood of light which illuminates the aspirant’s body and, along with the bodhisattvas, extends his hands in welcome.

觀世音、大勢至與無數菩薩，讚歎行者，勸進其心。行者見已，歡喜踴躍，自見其身，乘金剛台，隨從佛後，如彈指頃，往生彼國。生彼國已，見佛色身，眾相聚具足，見諸菩薩色相具足，光明寶林，演說妙法， Avalokiteshvara and Mahasthamaprapta, together with innumerable bodhisattvas, praise and encourage the aspirant. Seeing this, the aspirant rejoices so greatly as to dance. Then he sees himself sitting on the vajra-seat, and following the Buddha, is born into that land in the time it takes to snap one’s fingers. “After being born in that land, he sees the Buddha’s body complete with all its physical characteristics and also the bodies of the bodhisattvas equally complete with all their physical characteristics.

聞已，即無生法忍，經須臾間，歷事諸佛，偏十方界，于諸佛前，次第受記。還至本國，得無量百千陀羅尼門，是名上品上生者。 Hearing the discourse on the wonderful Dharma sent forth by the light and the jewelled trees, he then reaches the insight into the non-arising of all dharmas. In a single moment, he visits and worships all the Buddhas of the ten quarters and receives from each of them the prediction of his future Buddhahood. Returning to the Pure Land, he is endowed with innumerable hundreds of thousands of dharanis. Such a person is called one who attains birth on the highest level of the highest grade.

上品中生者，不必受持讀誦方等經典，善解義趣，于第一義，心不驚動，深信因果，不謗大乘，以此功德，回向願求生極樂國，行此行者，命欲終時，阿彌陀佛，與觀世音、大勢至、無量大眾，眷屬圍繞，時紫金台，至行者前，讚言：法子！汝行大乘，解第一義，是故我今來迎接汝，與千化佛，一時授手，行者自見坐紫金台，合掌叉手，讚嘆諸佛，如一念頃，即生彼國七寶池中。

2. the middle level of the highest grade

[23] “Those who attain birth on the middle level of the highest grade, do not necessarily uphold and chant the sutras of greater scope, but comprehend the teachings of the Buddha so well that when they hear the supreme truths, they are not dismayed. They have deep faith in the law of karmic causes and effects and do not speak slightingly of the Mahayana. They transfer the merit acquired to the Land of Utmost Bliss, aspiring to be born there. “When such an aspirant is about to die, Amitayus appears before him, surrounded by Avalokiteshvara, Mahasthamaprapta and innumerable sages and attendants, carrying a purple-gold lotus-seat. The Buddha praises him, saying, ‘Son of the Dharma, because you have practiced the Mahayana and appreciate the supreme truths, I have come to welcome you.’ So saying, he and a thousand transformed Buddhas extend their hands all at once towards the aspirant, who, seeing himself sitting on the purple-gold seat, joins his palms and praises the Buddhas. In an instant, he is born in a seven-jewelled pond of that land.

此紫金台，如大寶華，經宿則開，行者作紫磨金色，足下亦有七寶蓮華，佛及菩薩，俱時放光，照行者身，目即開明，因前宿習，普聞眾聲，純說甚深第一義諦。 “The purple-gold seat has become like a great jewelled flower, which opens after one night. The body of the aspirant has become the color of purple-gold, and beneath his feet are seven-jewelled lotus-flowers. The Buddha and bodhisattvas together release a flood of light which illuminates the aspirant’s body. His eyes open, and because of the store of merit from his previous life, he hears voices everywhere expounding only the most profound and supreme truths.

即下金台，禮佛合掌，讚嘆世尊，經于七日，應時即得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提，得不退轉；應時即能飛行偏至十方，歷事諸佛。于諸佛所，修諸三昧，經一小劫，得無生忍，現前授記，是名上品中生者。 Descending from his golden seat, he bows with joined palms and praises the Buddha, the World-Honored One. After seven days, he immediately reaches the Stage of Non-retrogression for realizing the highest, perfect Enlightenment. He is also able to fly in the ten quarters, as he wishes, to revere all the Buddhas and learn various samadhis from them. After the lapse of a smaller kalpa, he attains the insight into the non-arising of all dharmas and receives from each Buddha the prediction of his future Buddhahood. Such a person is called one who attains birth on the middle level of the highest grade.

3. the lowest level of the highest grade

上品下生者，亦信因果，不謗大乘。但發無上道心，以此功德，回向願求生極樂國。行者命欲終時，阿彌陀佛，及觀世音、大勢至，與諸菩薩，持金蓮華，化作五百佛，來迎此人。 “Those who attain birth on the lowest level of the highest grade likewise accept the law of karmic causes and effects, do not speak slightingly of the Mahayana and awaken aspiration for the highest Enlightenment. They transfer the merit acquired to the Land of Utmost Bliss, aspiring to be born there. “When such an aspirant is about to die, Amitayus, together with Avalokiteshvara, Mahasthamaprapta and a host of attendants, come to welcome him, bringing a golden lotus-flower and manifesting five hundred transformed Buddhas.

五百化佛，一時授手，讚言：法子！汝今清淨，發無上道心，我來迎汝。 Those transformed Buddhas extend their hands all at once and praise the aspirant, saying, ‘Son of the Dharma, since you have awakened pure aspiration for the highest Enlightenment, we have come to welcome you.’

見此事時，即見自身坐金蓮華，坐已華合，隨世尊後，即得往生七寶池中。一日一夜，蓮華乃開，七日之中，乃得見佛，雖見佛身，于眾相好，心不明了，于三七日後，乃了了見。聞眾音聲，皆演妙法，游歷十方，無養諸佛，于諸佛前，聞甚深法。

“When he has viewed all this, the aspirant finds himself seated upon a golden lotus-flower, which then closes. Following the World-Honored One, he immediately attains birth on a seven-jewelled pond. After a day and night, the lotus-flower opens and, within seven days, the aspirant beholds the Buddha. Although he sees the Buddha’s body, he is still unable to discern his physical characteristics and marks clearly. But after three weeks he sees them distinctly, and also hears all the sounds and voices proclaiming the wonderful Dharma. Then he can travel in all the ten quarters to make offerings to the Buddhas and hear their profound teachings.

經三小劫，得百法明門，住歡喜地，是名上品下生者。是名上輩生想，名第十四觀。 After three smaller kalpas he acquires clear understanding of the one hundred dharmas and dwells in the Stage of Joy. Such a person is called one who attains birth on the lowest level of the highest grade. These three together are known as the contemplation of the highest grade of aspirants, and the fourteenth contemplation. To practice in this way is called the correct contemplation, and to practice otherwise is incorrect.”

4. the highest level of the middle grade 佛告阿難，及韋提希：中品上生者，若有眾生，受持五戒，持八戒齋，修行諸戒，不造五逆，無眾過患，以此善根，回向願求生于西方極樂世界， The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, “Those who attain birth on the highest level of the middle grade are the sentient beings who keep the five precepts, observe the eight abstinences, practice in compliance with various precepts, and abstain from committing the five gravest offenses and other transgressions. They transfer the merit acquired to the Western Land of Utmost Bliss, aspiring to be born there.

臨命終時，阿彌陀佛，與諸比丘，眷屬圍繞，放金色光，至其人所，演說苦、空、無常、無我，讚歎出家，得離眾苦。 “When such a person is about to die, Amitayus appears before him, surrounded by a host of monks and radiating a golden light. He then expounds the truth of suffering, emptiness, impermanence and no-self, and praises renunciation of the world as the way to escape from suffering.

行者見已，心大歡喜，自見己身，坐蓮華台，長跪合掌，為佛作禮。未舉頭頃，即得往生極樂世界，蓮華尋開。當華敷時，聞眾音聲，讚嘆四諦，應時即得阿羅漢道，三明六通，具八解脫，是名中品上生者。 “Seeing this, the aspirant greatly rejoices and finds himself seated upon a lotus-flower. He kneels down, joins his palms and worships the Buddha. Before he raises his head, he attains birth in the Land of Utmost Bliss, where his lotus-bud soon opens. When the flower opens, he hears various sounds and voices extolling the Four Noble Truths. He immediately attains Arhatship, acquires the three kinds of transcendent knowledge and the six supernatural powers, and realizes the eight samadhis of emancipation. Such a person is called one who attains birth on the highest level of the middle grade.

5. the middle level of the middle grade 中品中生者，若有眾生，若一日一夜持八戒齋，若一日一夜持沙彌戒，若一日一夜持具足戒，威儀無缺，以此功德，迴向發願求生極樂國。 “Those who attain birth on the middle level of the middle grade are the sentient beings who observe for at least a day and night the eight abstinences, the precepts for a novice or the complete precepts of a monk or a nun, and do not violate any of the rules of conduct. They transfer the merit acquired to the Land of Utmost Bliss, aspiring to be born there.

戒香薰修，如此行者，命欲終時，見阿彌陀佛，與諸眷屬，放金色光，持七寶蓮華，至行者前，行者自聞空中有聲，讚言：善男子！如汝善人，隨順三世諸佛教故，我來迎汝。 “When such an aspirant, perfumed by the virtue of observing the precepts, is about to die, he sees Amitayus coming towards him with his attendants, radiating a golden light and carrying a seven-jewelled lotus-flower. He hears a voice in the sky above praising him, saying ‘Man of good deeds, since you are virtuous and have followed the teachings of the Buddhas of the three periods, I have come to welcome you.’

行者自見坐蓮華上，蓮華即合，生于西方極樂世界。在寶池中，經于七日，蓮華乃敷，華既敷已，開目合掌，讚嘆世尊，聞法歡喜，得須陀洹，經半劫已，成阿羅漢，是名中品中生者。 The aspirant finds himself seated upon the lotus-flower. The flower having closed, the aspirant is born on a jewelled pond of the Western Land of Utmost Bliss. After seven days the lotus-bud unfolds, and then he opens his eyes. With joined palms he pays homage to the World-Honored One, rejoices at hearing the Dharma and reaches the Stage of a Stream-Winner. After half a kalpa, he becomes an Arhat. Such a person is called one who attains birth on the middle level of the middle grade.

中品下生者，若有善男子善女人，孝養父母，行世仁慈，此人命欲終時，遇善知識，為其廣說阿彌陀佛國土樂事，亦說法藏比丘四十八願， [27] “Those who attain birth on the lowest level of the middle grade are good men and women who are dutiful to and care for their parents and do benevolent deeds for others. When such a person is about to die, he may meet a good teacher, who fully explains to him the bliss of the land of Amitayus and the Forty-eight Great Vows of the Bhiksu Dharmakara.

聞此事已，尋即命終。譬如壯士伸臂頃，即生西方極樂世界，經七日已，遇觀世音，及大勢至，聞法歡喜，得須陀洹，過一小劫，成阿羅漢，是名中品下生者。是名中輩生想，名第十五觀。 Having heard this, he dies and in the short time it takes a strong man to bend and straighten his arm, he attains birth in the Western Land of Utmost Bliss. Seven days after his birth there, he meets Avalokiteshvara and Mahasthamaprapta, rejoices at hearing the Dharma from them and so reaches the Stage of a Stream-Winner. After one smaller kalpa, he becomes an Arhat. Such a person is called one who attains birth on the lowest level of the middle grade. These three together are known as the contemplation of the middle grade of aspirants and the fifteenth contemplation. To practice in this way is called the correct contemplation, and to practice otherwise is incorrect.”

7. the highest level of the lowest grade 佛告阿難及韋提希：下品上生者，或有眾生，作眾惡業，雖不誹謗方等經典，如此愚人，多造惡法，無有慚愧，命欲終時，遇善知識，為說大乘十二部經首題名字，以聞如是諸經名故，除卻千劫極重惡業。智者復教合掌叉手，稱南無阿彌陀佛。 The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, “Those who attain birth on the highest level of the lowest grade are the sentient beings who commit various evil acts but do not slander the Mahayana sutras of greater scope. When a foolish person such as this, who has committed much evil but feels no remorse, is about to die, he may meet a good teacher, who praises the titles of the twelve divisions of the Mahayana scriptures. By hearing these sutra-titles, he is released from the burden of evil karma which he has accumulated during a thousand kalpas. Furthermore, this wise teacher advises him to join his palms and call, ‘Homage to Amitayus Buddha’ [Na-mo-o-mi-t’o-fo].’ Calling the name of the Buddha extinguishes the evil karma that the dying person has committed during fifty kotis of kalpas of Samsara.

稱佛名故，除五十億劫生死之罪。爾時彼佛，即遣化佛，化觀世音，化大勢至，至行者前，讚言：善男子！以汝稱佛名故，諸罪消滅，我來迎汝。 “The Buddha then sends his transformed body and those of Avalokiteshvara and Mahasthamaprapta to the aspirant; they praise him, saying, ‘Well done, man of good deeds! By calling the Name of the Buddha your evil karma has been extinguished, and so we have come to welcome you.’

作是語已，行者即見化佛光明，偏滿其室，見已歡喜，即便命終。乘寶蓮華，隨化佛後，生寶池中，經七七日，蓮華乃敷，當華敷時，大悲觀世音菩薩，及大勢至菩薩，放大光明，住其人前，為說甚深十二部經。 When these words are uttered, the aspirant sees a flood of light from that transformed Buddha fill his room. Having seen this, he rejoices and dies. Seated on a jewelled lotus-flower, he follows the transformed Buddha and is born on a jewelled pond. In seven weeks the lotus-bud opens and Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion, and Mahasthamaprapta appear before him, releasing great floods of light, and explain to him the extremely profound teachings of the twelve divisions of the scriptures.

聞已信解，發無上道心，經十小劫，具百法明門，得入初地，是名下品上生者。 Having heard these, the aspirant accepts them in faith, and awakens aspiration for the highest Enlightenment. After ten smaller kalpas, he acquires clear understanding of the one hundred dharmas and enters the First Stage of Bodhisattvahood. Such a person is called one who attains birth on the highest level of the lowest grade. Thus he is born by hearing the Name of the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha – that is, the Three Treasures.”

8. the middle level of the lowest grade

佛告阿難及韋提希：下品中生者，或有眾生，毀犯五戒、八戒，及具足戒，如此愚人，偷僧只物，盜現前僧物，不淨說法，無有慚愧，以諸惡業而自莊嚴。如此罪人，以惡業故，應墮地獄， [29] The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, “Those who attain birth on the middle level of the lowest grade are the sentient beings who violate the five precepts, the eight precepts or the complete precepts of a monk or a nun. A foolish person such as these steals from the Sangha or takes the personal belongings of monks, or preaches the Dharma with impure motives but feels no remorse. Thus he defiles himself by evil karma, and because of this he will fall into hell.

命欲終時，地獄眾火，一時俱至，遇善知識，以大慈悲，即為讚說阿彌陀佛十力威德，廣讚彼佛光明神力，亦讚戒、定、慧、解脫知見。 “When he is about to die and the flames of hell suddenly close in on him, he may meet a good teacher, who compassionately explains to him the ten supernal powers of Amitayus, fully describing the majestic power of the light of that Buddha, his virtues in the observance of the precepts, meditation, wisdom, emancipation and knowledge of emancipation.

此人聞已，除八十億劫生死之罪。地獄猛火，化為清涼風，吹諸天華，華上皆有化佛菩薩，迎接此人， When he has heard this, the evil karma which he has committed during eighty kotis of kalpas of Samsara are extinguished; thus, the fierce flames of hell turn into cool and refreshing breezes, wafting heavenly flowers. On each flower is a transformed Buddha accompanied by bodhisattvas welcoming him.

如一念頃，即得往生七寶池中蓮華之內，經于六劫，蓮華乃敷。觀世音、大勢至，以梵音聲安慰彼人，為說大乘甚深經典，聞此法已，應時即發無上道心，是名下品中生者。 “In an instant, he attains birth within a lotus-bud on a seven-jewelled pond. After six kalpas the lotus-bud opens, and then Avalokiteshvara and Mahasthamaprapta comfort him with their noble voices and teach him profound Mahayana sutras. Upon hearing these, he immediately awakens aspiration for the highest Enlightenment. Such a person is called one who attains birth on the middle level of the lowest grade.”

9. the lowest level of the lowest grade 佛告阿難及韋提希：下品下生者，或有眾生，作不善業，五逆十惡，具諸不善，如此愚人，以惡業故，應墮惡道，經歷多劫，受苦無窮。 The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, “Those who attain birth on the lowest level of the lowest grade are the sentient beings who commit such evils as the five gravest offenses, the ten evil acts and all kinds of immorality. Owing to such evil karma, the fool like this will fall into evil realms and suffer endless agony for many kalpas.

如此愚人，臨命終時，遇善知識，種種安慰，為說妙法，教令念佛，彼人苦逼，不遑念佛。善友告言：汝若不能念彼佛者，應稱無量壽佛。 When he is about to die, he may meet a good teacher, who consoles him in various ways, teaching him the wonderful Dharma and urging him to be mindful of the Buddha; but he is too tormented by pain to do so. The good teacher then advises him, ‘If you cannot concentrate on the Buddha, then you should say instead, Homage to Amitayus Buddha.’

如是至心，令聲不絕，具足十念，稱南無阿彌陀佛。稱佛名故，于念念中，除八十億劫生死之罪。 In this way, he sincerely and continuously says ‘Homage to Amitayus Buddha’ [Na-mo-o-mi-t’o-fo] ten times. Because he calls the Buddha’s Name, with each repetition, the evil karma which he has committed during eighty kotis of kalpas of Samsara is extinguished.

于蓮華中，滿十二大劫，蓮華方開，觀世音、大勢至、以大悲音聲，為其廣說諸法實相，除滅罪法。 When he comes to die, he sees before him a golden lotus-flower like the disk of the sun, and in an instant he is born within a lotus-bud in the Land of Utmost Bliss. After twelve great kalpas the lotus-bud opens. When the flower opens, Avalokiteshvara and Mahasthamaprapta teach him with voices of great compassion the method of extinguishing evil karma through the realization of Suchness of all dharmas.

聞已歡喜，應時即發菩提之心，是名下品下生者，是名下生輩想，名第十六觀。 Hearing this, he rejoices and immediately awakens aspiration for Enlightenment. Such a person is called one who attains birth on the lowest level of the lowest grade. These three together are known as the contemplation of the lowest grade of aspirants and the sixteenth contemplation.”