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The Buddhist world has long passed down a saying: "If you do not read the Avatamsaka Sutra, you do not know the true riches of the Buddha!" To this, we would like to add: "If you do not study the Infinite Life Sutra, you cannot fathom the true greatness of Amitabha!"
The Infinite Life Sutra is one of the three central texts from Shakyamuni Buddha’s lifetime, dedicated to the teachings about Amitabha Buddha and his Western Pure Land. The other two texts are the Contemplation of Amitabha Buddha Sutra and the Amitabha Sutra.
This sutra is highly esteemed in Chinese Pure Land Buddhism as the "primary scripture of the Pure Land," being the heart of the three Pure Land sutras. The Buddha declared that this sutra would be the last to fade from the world in the cycle of Buddhist teachings—spanning 12,000 years, including 1,000 years of true Dharma, 1,000 years of semblance Dharma, and 10,000 years of degenerate Dharma. This illustrates the profound power and far-reaching influence of this text.
In this monumental scripture, the Buddha narrates in great detail how Amitabha attained Buddhahood and how he created the extraordinary Pure Land.
This account took place countless eons ago, during the time of the "World-Illuminating King Buddha." At that time, King Shiyao of the Miaoxi Kingdom frequently visited the Buddha to listen to his teachings. After each lecture, he not only rejoiced but also grasped the profound meaning of the teachings. In an instant, he aroused the supreme mind for enlightenment, abandoned his throne and kingdom, took refuge at the feet of the Buddha, and became a monk with the dharma name Fazang.
Fazang, this remarkable monk, harbored great aspirations. While many with lofty ambitions focus on benefiting society, their nation, or their people, Fazang's concern was for all sentient beings across the boundless universe. Observing that all beings were ensnared by deep karmic obstacles, lacking merit and wisdom, and their lives fleeting and impermanent, he realized that even those who aspired to the Way faced numerous hindrances in their practice. For most beings, escaping samsara was not an easy task. Thus, he often pondered: How could he help all beings break free from the ocean of suffering? How could he enable them to swiftly attain Buddhahood?
This question troubled him day and night until one day, he discovered the answer: He must first become a Buddha revered by all the worlds, attracting the attention of boundless sentient beings. He must create a perfect world where all beings would desire to be reborn, and establish an extraordinary practice method that could be easily followed by all.
While he had found the answer, he was unsure how to become the universally praised Buddha, what the most wonderful world would look like, or which practice was the most subtle. Seeking guidance, he approached his teacher, the World-Illuminating King Buddha, and said: "I wish to become a Buddha who transcends all Buddhas of the ten directions! I also wish to create a Pure Land that surpasses all other Buddha lands. Can such a wish be realized?"
Hearing this respectful and sincere plea, the Buddha replied, "It is like trying to measure the vast and infinite ocean. If one uses a vessel to measure it, after many eons, the ocean could still be measured. As long as one’s resolve is firm, and one earnestly seeks the Way, with relentless effort, even becoming a Buddha is not impossible. What wish cannot be achieved with such determination?"
Emboldened by the Buddha’s words, Fazang bowed and said, "Please, Buddha, compassionately reveal to me the Pure Land of all Buddhas and the methods to adorn it. I will surely follow your guidance."
Moved by his sincerity, the Buddha explained various methods of practice and detailed the realms of the two hundred and ten billion Buddha lands. With his miraculous powers, the Buddha manifested these lands before Fazang’s eyes, allowing him to witness them directly.
With exceptional intelligence, Fazang carefully selected the most superior Buddha land—the Western Pure Land. He also chose the most accessible practice, reciting the name of Amitabha Buddha, as the supreme method for saving beings.
Through careful selection and thoughtful design, it took Fazang five eons to conceive his ideal Pure Land—a land that encompassed the finest qualities of all Buddha lands, the Western Pure Land of Bliss.
During these five eons, he not only conceived this land but also practiced diligently. He made numerous vows to adorn it and to help all beings attain Buddhahood.
When Fazang returned to the Buddha and reported, "I have successfully conceived my magnificent Pure Land! I have also purified my practice!" The Buddha, seeing the fruits of his efforts, joyfully declared: "Now you may announce your great vow, the vow that will bring supreme joy to all sentient beings!" Before the Buddha and the assembly, Fazang made his famous 48 vows, which have been passed down through the ages.
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Amitabha Buddha: A Beacon of Infinite Light and Compassion
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The Pure Land: A Transitional Space Bridging the Ordinary and Buddhahood
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