Selections from The Larger Sukhāvatīvyūha Sutra: The Pure Land of Amitābha Buddha (vegan), Part 1 of 2

Today, we are pleased to present selections from “The Larger Sukhāvatīvyūha Sutra,” whereby the Bhikshu (monk) Dharmākara expressed his strong resolve and profound vows for his Pure Land to possess excellences and good qualities beyond imagination.

“Blessed One, if in that Buddha country of mine the beings who are born there should not be possessed of the highest Pâramitâs [perfection] of miraculous power and self-control, so that they could at least in the shortest moment of one thought step over a hundred thousand [of a hundred thousand of ten million] of Buddha countries, then may I not obtain the highest perfect knowledge.

O Blessed One, if in that Buddha country of mine the beings who are born there should not all be possessed of the recollection of their former births, so as at least to remember a hundred thousand [of a hundred thousand of ten million of eons], then may I not obtain the highest perfect knowledge.

O Blessed One, if in that Buddha country of mine the beings who are born there should not all acquire the divine eye, so as at least to be able to see a hundred thousand [of a hundred thousand of ten million] of worlds, then may I not obtain the highest perfect knowledge.

O Blessed One, if in that Buddha country of mine the beings who are born there should not all acquire the divine ear, so as at least to be able to hear at the same time the good Law [Dharma] from a hundred thousand [of a hundred thousand of ten million] of Buddha countries, then may I not obtain the highest perfect knowledge.

O Blessed One, if in that Buddha country of mine the beings who are born there should not all be skilled in the knowledge of the thoughts of other people, so as at least to be able to know the deeds and thoughts of beings belonging to a hundred thousand [of a hundred thousand of ten million] of Buddha countries, then may I not obtain the highest perfect knowledge.

O Blessed One, if in that Buddha country of mine the beings who are born there should form any idea of property, even with regard to their own body, then may I not obtain the highest perfect knowledge.

O Blessed One, if in that Buddha country of mine the beings who are born there should not all be firmly established, in absolute truth, till they have reached Mahâparinirvâna [ultimate liberation], then may I not obtain the highest perfect knowledge.”