1. The Amitabha Pure Land Triad

2. The Larger (Longer) Sutra Chinese translation (ca
The Larger (Longer) Sutra Chinese translation (ca. 252 CE) attributed to Sanghavarman
Provides the “life story” of the Buddha Amitayus
The monk, Dharmakara, who had been a king
went to the Buddha Lokesvararaja, asking him to explain the Dharma
resolved to become a buddha
became a Bodhisattva
took 48 vows
each begins with “If, when I attained Buddhahood”
became a buddha and presided over his own buddha-field, Sukhavati

3. Supplies the “history” of Amitayus’ “buddha-field”
made into a magnificent western paradise
Voices :
Ananda, asks pointed questions
Bodhisattva Maitreya engages the Buddha in a dialogue
Amitabha plays a more active role

4. The Amitabha Pure Land Triad

5. Dharmakara and His Vows
the number of vows varies in different translations
vows 26-34, or some of them are not found in other translations
numberings range from 18, 24, 36, 47, to 48
vows 11,12,13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22 are in all translations

6. Dharmakara attained Buddhahood
after inconceivable kalpas of self-cultivation
after immeasurable meritorious practices of the bodhisattva path
after innumerable ages of tranquil samadhi
after realizing the truth of emptiness
presided over his buddha-field, free of suffering
known as the Buddha Amitabha (Infinite light)

7. Amitayus’ Pure Land According to the Larger/Longer Sutra
composed of seven jewels, gold, silver, beryl, coral, amber, agate, and ruby, which produce illuminating rays of light
boundless land
no oceans, no seas, no mountains, no valleys, no gorges
no four seasons
coral
ruby

8. Light Amitayus’ light illuminates all buddha-fields in ten directions
could remove all sentient beings’ three defilements
praised by all buddhas
beryl
agate

9. Nature in Amitayus’ Pure Land
Jeweled trees
Seven-jeweled trees
gold trees with leaves, flowers, and fruits of silver
silver trees with leaves, flowers, and fruits of gold ….
Jeweled trees with purple-gold roots, white silver trunks, beryl branches, crystal twigs, coral leaves, ruby flowers, and agate fruits
They are symmetrically arranged, of brilliant colors
breeze and sounds arise like symphonic music
exquisite Dharma-sounds arise
sacred music, spontaneous music…all sounds of the Dharma

10. Bathing pools golden, silver, crystal…..
Sandalwood trees on the banks of these pools
Heavenly lotuses cover the surface of the water

11. Living Beings in Amitayus’ Pure Land
Beings born there
given purified body, exquisite sounds, supernatural powers and virtues
get any food and drink according to their wishes
relaxed in mind and body, free of attachment to the sense of taste
all are in one form, without any differences

12. all are of noble and majestic countenance, superb appearance
all endowed with bodies of Naturalness, Emptiness, and Infinity
each provided with robes, food and drink, flowers, perfume, ornaments, silken canopies, and banners, and surrounded by exquisite sounds
size of their abode, palaces, and pavilions are in accordance with that of their bodies
All destined to Nirvana

13. Three Grades of Aspirants
Aspirants of the highest grade--monks
see Amitayus and a host of sages when dying
Follow Amitayus and attain rebirth; born in the Pure Land through instantaneous transformation within seven-jeweled lotus flowers
dwell in the stage of Non-retrogression
attain steadfast wisdom
capable of freely exercising supernatural powers

14. Aspirants of the middle grade--devoted moral aspirants, lay Buddhists
see Amitayus’s transformed body and a host of sages when dying
follow Amitayus’ transformed; born in the Pure Land
dwell in the stage of Non-retrogression
virtue and wisdom next to the highest aspirants
Aspirants of the lower grade--converted aspirants, devas, humans….
see Amitayus in a dream
born in the pure land
merits and wisdom next to the middle aspirants

15. Five Evils excluded from the Pure Land
1st evil
those inflict serious injuries and kill
2nd evil
those lack moral principles, break laws, arrogant, licentious, deceiving, dishonest, flattering people with deceitful intention
3rd evil
those greedy, desirous of others’ possessions, gloat over women, behave licentiously, secretly frequent brothels
4th evil
those uttering abusive words, telling lies, engage in idle talk, hate people
5th evil
those indecisive, slothful, reluctant to do good, no self-discipline, not dedicated to their work and not care for their families

16. Numerous Bodhisattvas in this Pure Land
All attain the Stage of Becoming Buddha after One More Life
They can make choice between attaining Buddhahood and remaining bodhisattvas to save all sentient beings
Two most dignified bodhisattvas:
Avalokitesvara
Mahathamaprapta