Visualization Sutra

 

          When the World-Honored One had spoken these words, Vaidehi and her five hundred female attendants, having heard the Buddha's discourse, saw at once the breadth and extent of the Realm of Ultimate Bliss; and being able to see the body of the Buddha of Immeasurable Life Span and the two Bodhisattvas, joy welled up in the hearts.

          Marveling at this unprecedented occurrence, Vaidehi, her clouds of doubt now cleared, attained the great enlightenment and acquired the insight into the non-origination of all existence.  Her five hundred female attendants, having awakened the mind that aspires to the highest perfect enlightenment, vowed to be reborn into that land.

          The World-Honored One assured all of them that they would be reborn there, and that after rebirth they would acquire the Samadhi of Being in the Presence of All the Buddhas.  Countless heavenly beings also awakened the mind that aspires for the Highest Perfect Enlightenment.

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            At that time, Ananda rose from his seat, stepped forward, and said to the Buddha, "World-Honored One, what shall this Sutra be called?  And how should the essence of this Dharma be received and kept?"

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          The Buddha said to Ananda, "The name of this Sutra is the 'Visualization of the Realm of Ultimate Bliss, the Buddha of Immeasurable Life Span, the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara and the Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta.'  It is also called, 'Removal of Karmic Hindrances for Attaining Rebirth in the Presence of All the Buddhas.'  You should receive this Sutra and never forget it.

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          Those who practice this samadhi will be able to see, during their lifetime, the Buddha of Immeasurable Life Span and these two Bodhisattvas.  If good sons and good daughters merely hear the name of this Buddha and these two Bodhisattvas, the evil karma binding them to birth-and-death for immeasurable aeons is eliminated. 

          How much more so if these people are mindful of the Buddha?  Know that whoever is mindful of the Buddha is a lotus flower among humans, has Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara and Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta as excellent friends, will be seated in the place of enlightenment and will be born into the family of the Buddhas."

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          The Buddha said to Ananda, "You should carefully hold these words in mind.  To hold these words in mind is to hold in mind the name of the Buddha of Immeasurable Life Span."

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          When the Buddha had spoken these words, the Venerable Maudgalyayana and the Venerable Ananda, as well as Vaidehi and the others, heard the Buddha's discourse and were all filled with great joy.

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          At that time, the World-Honored One walked through the open sky and returned to Vulture Peak.  There, Ananda fully explained the above events for the benefit of the great assembly.  The countless human beings, heavenly beings, naga deities, yakas, and all other beings who heard the Buddha's discourse were all filled with great joy, paid homage to the World-Honored Ones, and departed.

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