In the Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha describes the sixteen stages of contemplations, or mental visualization exercises that are to be followed in sequence. Through deep contemplation on the various aspects of the Pure Land and visualizing them in detail, the aspirant will be able to draw closer to the Pure Land.
Today, it is an honor to share selections from “The Sutra on Contemplation of Amitayus,” translated into English by J.Takakusu in the book “Buddhist Mahayana Texts.” Expounding on the qualities of the three highest grades of birth into the Pure Land.
Contemplating the three highest grades of rebirth (in the pure land).
“Buddha then spoke to Ânanda and Vaidehî: ‘The beings who will be born in the highest form of the highest grade (that is to Buddhahood) are those, whoever they may be, who wish to be born in that country and cherish the threefold thought whereby they are at once destined to be born there. What is the threefold thought, you may ask? First, the True Thought; second, the Deep Believing Thought; third, the Desire to be born in that Pure Land by bringing one’s own stock of merit to maturity. Those who have this threefold thought in perfection shall most assuredly be born into that country.
There are also three classes of beings who are able to be born in that country. What, you may ask, are the three classes of beings? First, those who are possessed of a compassionate mind, who do no injury to any beings, and accomplish all virtuous actions according to Buddha's precepts; second, those who study and recite the Sûtras of the Mahâyâna doctrine, for instance, the VaipulyaSûtras; third, those who practice the six fold remembrance. These three classes of beings who wish to be born in that country by bringing (their respective stocks of merit) to maturity, will become destined to be born there if they have accomplished any of those meritorious deeds for one day or even for seven days.
When one who has practiced (these merits) is about to be born in that country, Buddha Amitâyus, together with the two Bodhisattvas Avalokiteśvara and Mahâsthâma, also numberless created Buddhas, and a hundred thousand Bhikshus and Sâvakas, with their whole retinue, and innumerable gods, together with the palaces of seven jewels, will appear before him out of regard for his diligence and courage; Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, together with Bodhisattva Mahâsthâma, will offer a diamond seat to him; thereupon Amitâyus himself will send forth magnificent rays of light to shine over the dying person’s body. He and many Bodhisattvas will offer their hands and welcome him, when Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara and Bodhisattva Mahâsthâma, and all the other Bodhisattvas will praise the glory of the man who practiced the meritorious deeds, and convey an exhortation to his mind. When the newcomer, having seen these, rejoicing and leaping for joy, looks at himself, he will find his own body seated on that diamond throne; and as he follows behind Buddha, he will be born into that country, in a moment. When he has been born there, he will see Buddha’s form and body with every sign of perfection complete, and also the perfect forms and signs of all the Bodhisattvas; he will also see brilliant rays and jewel-forests and hear them propounding the excellent Law, and instantly be conscious of a spirit of resignation to whatever consequences may hereafter arise. Before long, he will serve every one of the Buddhas who live in the regions of the ten quarters. In the presence of each of those Buddhas, he will obtain successively a prophecy of his future destiny. On his return to his own land (Sukhâvatî, in which he has just been born), he will obtain countless hundreds of thousands of Dhârani formulas (mystic form of prayer); such are those who are to be born in the highest form of the highest grade (to Buddhahood).
Next, the beings who will be born in the middle form of the highest grade are those who do not necessarily learn, remember, study, or recite those VaipulyaSûtras, but fully understand the meaning of the truth (contained in them), and having a firm grasp of the highest truth do not speak evil of the Mahâyâna doctrine, but deeply believe in (the principle of) cause and effect; who by bringingthese good qualities to maturity seek to be born in that Country of Highest Happiness. When one who has acquired these qualities is about to die, Amitâyus, surrounded by the two Bodhisattvas Avalokiteśvara and Mahâsthâma, and an innumerable retinue of dependents, will bring a seat of purple gold and approach him with words of praise, saying: “O my son in the Law! Thou have practiced the Mahâyâna doctrine; thou have understood and believed the highest truth; therefore, I now come to meet and welcome thee.” He and the thousand created Buddhas offer hands all at once.
When that man looks at his own body, he will find himself seated on that purple gold seat; he will, then, stretching forth his folded hands, praise and eulogise all the Buddhas. As quick as thought he will be born in the lake of seven jewels, of that country. That purple gold seat on which he sits is like a magnificent jewel-flower, and will open after a night; the newcomer’s body becomes purple gold in color, and he will also find under his feet a lotus-flower consisting of seven jewels. Buddha and the Bodhisattvas, at the same time, will send forth brilliant rays to shine over the body of that person, whose eyes will instantaneously be opened and become clear. According to his former usage (in the human world), he will hear all the voices that are there, preaching primary truths of the deepest significance.
Then he will descend from that golden seat and worship Buddha with folded hands, praising and eulogising the World-Honored One. After seven days, he will immediately attain to the state of the highest perfect knowledge (anuttarasamyaksambodhi) from which he will never fall away (avaivartya); next he will fly to all the ten regions and successively serve all the Buddhas therein; he will practise many a Samâdhi in the presence of those Buddhas. After the lapse of a lesser kalpa, he will attain a spirit of resignation to whatever consequences may hereafter arise, and he will also obtain a prophecy of his future destiny in the presence of Buddhas.’”
