阿弥陀経

Amida Sutra

(1)

仏説阿弥陀経

姚秦三蔵法師鳩摩羅什奉詔訳

THE SUTRA ON AMIDA BUDDHA
DELIVERED BY SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA

Translated into Chinese on the Imperial Order
during the Yao-Ch'in dynasty
by the Tripitaka Master Kumarajiva

【1】 かくのごとく、われ聞きたてまつりき。ひととき、仏、舎衛国の祇樹給孤独園にましまして、大比丘の衆、千二百五十人と倶なりき。みなこれ大阿羅漢なり。衆に知識せらる。長老シャリホツ・マカモッケンレン・マカカショウ・マカカセンエン・マカクチラ・リハタ・シュリハンダガ。ナンダ・アナンダ・ラゴラ・キョウボンハダイ・ビンズルハラダ・カルダイ・マカコウヒンナ・ハクラ・アヌルダ、かくのごときらのもろもろの大弟子、ならびにもろもろの菩薩摩訶薩、モンジュシリ法王子・アイッタ菩薩・ケンダカダイ菩薩・常精進菩薩、かくのごときらのもろもろの大菩薩、およびシャクダイカンイン等の無量の諸天・大衆と倶なりき。

[1] Thus have I heard. At one time the Buddha was staying in the Jeta Grove monastery of Anathapindada's Garden at Shravasti, together with a large assembly of twelve hundred and fifty monks, who were all great arhats, well-known to the people. Among them were great disciples such as the Elders Shariputra, Mahamaudgalyayana, Mahakashyapa, Mahakatyayana, Mahakausthila, Revata, Shuddhipanthaka, Nanda, Ananda, Rahula, Gavampati, Pindola-Bharadvaja, Kalodayin, Mahakapphina, Vakkula and Aniruddha. He was also accompanied by many bodhisattvas, mahasattvas, such as the Dharma Prince, Manjushri, the Bodhisattva Ajita, the Bodhisattva Sweet-smelling Elephant, and the Bodhisattva Constant Endeavor, and by innumerable devas, including Shakra, lord of the gods, and many others.
　

【2】 そのとき、仏、長老シャリホツに告げたまはく。「これより西方に、十万億の仏土を過ぎて世界あり、名づけて極楽といふ。その土に仏まします、阿弥陀と号す。いま現にましまして法を説きたまふ。

[2] The Buddha then said to the Elder Shariputra: "If you travel westward from here, passing a hundred thousand kotis of Buddha-lands, you come to the land called 'Utmost Bliss,' where there is a Buddha named 'Amida.' He is living there now, teaching the Dharma.

【3】 シャリホツ、かの土をなんがゆゑぞ名づけて極楽とする。その国の衆生、もろもろの苦あることなく、ただもろもろの楽を受く。ゆゑに極楽と名づく。　またシャリホツ、極楽国土には七重の欄楯・七重の羅網・七重の行樹あり。みなこれ四宝周そうし囲繞せり。このゆゑにかの国を名づけて極楽といふ。
　またシャリホツ、極楽国土には七宝の池あり。八功徳水そのなかに充満せり。池の底にはもつぱら金の沙をもつて地に布けり。四辺の階道は、金・銀・瑠璃・はり合成せり。上に楼閣あり。また金・銀・瑠璃・はり・しゃこ・赤珠・碼碯をもつて、これを厳飾す。池のなかの蓮華は、大きさ車輪のごとし。青色には青光、黄色には黄光、赤色には赤光、白色には白光ありて、微妙香潔なり。舎利弗、極楽国土には、かくのごときの功徳荘厳を成就せり。またシャリホツ、かの仏国土には、つねに天の楽をなす。黄金を地とし、昼夜六時に天の曼陀羅華を雨らす。その国の衆生、つねに清旦をもつて、おのおの衣こくをもつて、もろもろの妙華を盛れて、他方の十万億の仏を供養したてまつる。すなはち食時をもつて本国に還り到りて、飯食し経行す。シャリホツ、極楽国土には、かくのごときの功徳荘厳を成就せり。
　また次にシャリホツ、かの国にはつねに種種奇妙なる雑色の鳥あり。白鵠・孔雀・鸚鵡・舎利・かりょうびんが・共命の鳥なり。このもろもろの鳥、昼夜六時に和雅の音を出す。その音、五根・五力・七菩提分・八聖道分、かくのごときらの法を演暢す。その土の衆生、この音を聞きをはりて、みなことごとく仏を念じ、法を念じ、僧を念ず。シャリホツ、なんぢこの鳥は実にこれ罪報の所生なりと謂ふことなかれ。ゆゑはいかん。かの仏国土には三悪趣なければなり。シャリホツ、その仏国土にはなほ三悪道の名すらなし、いかにいはんや実あらんや。このもろもろの鳥は、みなこれ阿弥陀仏、法音を宣流せしめんと欲して、変化してなしたまふところなり。シャリホツ、かの仏国土には微風吹いて、もろもろの宝行樹および宝羅網を動かすに、微妙の音を出す。たとへば百千種の楽を同時に倶になすがごとし。この音を聞くもの、みな自然に仏を念じ、法を念じ、僧を念ずるの心を生ず。シャリホツ、その仏国土には、かくのごときの功徳荘厳を成就せり。

[3] "Shariputra, why is that land called 'Utmost Bliss'? The beings in that land suffer no pain but only enjoy pleasures of various kinds. For this reason, that land is called 'Utmost Bliss.' Again, Shariputra, in that Land of Utmost Bliss there are seven rows of balustrades, seven rows of decorative nets, and seven rows of trees. They are all made of four kinds of jewels and extend over the whole land, encompassing everything. For this reason, that land is called 'Utmost Bliss.' Again, Shariputra, in the Land of Utmost Bliss there are seven-jewelled ponds, filled with water of the eight excellent qualities. The beds of the ponds are covered solely with gold sand, and from the four sides of each pond rise stairs of gold, silver, beryl and crystal. Above these stand pavilions adorned with gold, silver, beryl, crystal, sapphire, rosy pearls, and carnelian. In the ponds are lotuses as large as chariot-wheels -- the blue ones radiating a blue light, the yellow a yellow light, the red a red light and the white ones a white light. They are marvelous and beautiful, fragrant and pure. Shariputra, the Land of Utmost Bliss is filled with such splendid adornments.
"Again, Shariputra, in that Buddha-land heavenly music is played continually. The ground is made of gold. Six times during the day and night mandarava flowers rain down from the sky. Every day, in the serenity of the early morning, the people of that land fill the hem of their robes with exquisite flowers and go to make offerings to a hundred thousand kotis of Buddhas dwelling in the worlds of other quarters. Then they return for their morning meal. After the meal they enjoy a stroll. Shariputra, the Land of Utmost Bliss is filled with such splendid adornments.
"Again, Shariputra, in that land there are always many kinds of rare and beautiful birds of various colors, such as swans, peacocks, parrots, sharis, kalavinkas and jivamjivakas. Six times during the day and night birds sing with melodious and delicate sounds, which proclaim such teachings as the five roots of goodness, the five powers, the seven practices leading to Enlightenment, and the Eightfold Noble Path. On hearing them, the people of that land become mindful of the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. But, Shariputra, you should not assume that these birds are born as retribution of their evil karma. The reason is that none of the three evil realms exists in that Buddha-land. Shariputra, even the names of the three evil realms do not exist there; how much less the realms themselves? These birds are manifested by Amida Buddha so that their singing can proclaim and spread the Dharma.
"In that Buddha-land, Shariputra, when soft breezes waft through the rows of jewelled trees and jewelled nets, they produce subtle, wonderful sounds. It is as if a hundred thousand musical instruments were playing together. Everyone who hears the sounds spontaneously becomes mindful of the Buddha, the Dharma and Sangha. Shariputra, that Buddha-land is filled with such splendid adornments.

【4】 シャリホツ、なんぢが意においていかん、かの仏をなんのゆゑぞ阿弥陀と号する。舎利弗、かの仏の光明無量にして、十方の国を照らすに障礙するところなし。このゆゑに号して阿弥陀とす。また シャリホツ、かの仏の寿命およびその人民〔の寿命〕も、無量無辺阿僧祇劫なり。ゆゑに阿弥陀と名づく。 シャリホツ、阿弥陀仏は成仏よりこのかたいまに十劫なり。また シャリホツ、かの仏に無量無辺の声聞の弟子あり、みな阿羅漢なり。これ算数のよく知るところにあらず。もろもろの菩薩衆、またまたかくのごとし。 シャリホツ、かの仏国土には、かくのごときの功徳荘厳を成就せり。

[4] For what reason, Shariputra, do you think that Buddha is called 'Amida'? Shariputra, the Buddha's light shines boundlessly and without hindrance over all the worlds of the ten quarters. It is for this reason that he is called 'Amida' (Amitabha). Again, Shariputra, the lives of the Buddha and the people of his land last for immeasurable, unlimited and incalculable kalpas. It is for this reason that the Buddha is called 'Amida' (Amitayus). Shariputra, ten kalpas have passed since Amida Buddha attained Enlightenment. Moreover, Shariputra, he has an immeasurable and unlimited number of shravaka disciples, all of them arhats, whose number cannot be reckoned by any means. His assembly of bodhisattvas is similarly vast. Shariputra, that Buddha-land is filled with such splendid adornments.

【5】 またシャリホツ、極楽国土には、衆生生ずるものはみなこれアビバッチなり。そのなかに多く一生補処〔の菩薩〕あり。その数はなはだ多し。これ算数のよくこれを知るところにあらず。ただ無量無辺阿僧祇劫をもつて説くべし。シャリホツ、衆生聞かんもの、まさに発願してかの国に生ぜんと願ふべし。ゆゑはいかん。かくのごときの諸上善人とともに一処に会することを得ればなり。シャリホツ、少善根福徳の因縁をもつてかの国に生ずることを得べからず。　シャリホツ、もし善男子・善女人ありて、阿弥陀仏を説くを聞きて、名号を執持すること、もしは一日、もしは二日、もしは三日、もしは四日、もしは五日、もしは六日、もしは七日、一心にして乱れざれば、その人、命終のときに臨みて、阿弥陀仏、もろもろの聖衆と現じてその前にましまさん。この人終らんとき、心顛倒せずして、すなはち阿弥陀仏の極楽国土に往生することを得。シャリホツ、われこの利を見るがゆゑに、この言を説く。もし衆生ありて、この説を聞かんものは、まさに発願してかの国土に生るべし。

[5] "Again, Shariputra, all sentient beings born in the Land of Utmost Bliss dwell in the Stage of Non-retrogression. Many of them are in the Stage of Becoming a Buddha after One More Life. Their number is so great that it is beyond reckoning; it can only be described as innumerable, unlimited and incalculable.
"Shariputra, those sentient beings who hear of that land should aspire to be born there. Why? Because they will be able to meet such sages of supreme virtue. Shariputra, one cannot attain birth in that land with few roots of goodness or a small stock of merit. Shariputra, if a good man or woman who hears of Amida Buddha holds fast to his Name even for one day, two days, three, four, five, six or seven days with a concentrated and undistracted mind, then, at the hour of death, Amida Buddha will appear before them with a host of holy ones. Consequently, when their life comes to an end, the aspirants' minds will not fall into confusion and so they will be born immediately in the Land of Utmost Bliss of Amida Buddha. Shariputra, perceiving these benefits, I say: All sentient beings who hear this teaching should aspire to birth in that land.

【6】 シャリホツ、われいま阿弥陀仏の不可思議の功徳を讃歎するがごとく、東方にまた、アシュクビ仏・須弥相仏・大須弥仏・須弥光仏・妙音仏、かくのごときらの恒河沙数の諸仏ましまして、おのおのその国おいて、広長の舌相を出し、あまねく三千大千世界に覆ひて、誠実の言を説きたまはく、〈なんぢら衆生、まさにこの不可思議の功徳を称讃したまふ一切諸仏に護念せらるる経を信ずべし〉と。

[6] "Shariputra, just as I praise the inconceivable virtue of Amida Buddha, so do the Buddhas in the eastern quarter, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, such as Aksobhya Buddha, Meru-dhvaja Buddha, Mahameru Buddha, Meru-prabhasa Buddha, and Manju-svara Buddha. While dwelling in their own lands, they extend their long, broad tongues and, encompassing with them the universe of a thousand million worlds, pronounce these words of truth: Sentient beings should accept this sutra entitled 'Praise of the Inconceivable Virtue and Protection by All Buddhas.'

【7】 シャリホツ、南方の世界に、日月灯仏・名聞光仏・大焔肩仏・須弥灯仏・無量精進仏、かくのごときらの恒河沙数の諸仏ましまして、おのおのその国において、広長の舌相を出し、あまねく三千大千世界に覆ひて、誠実の言を説きたまはく、〈なんぢら衆生、まさにこの不可思議の功徳を称讃したまふ一切諸仏に護念せらるる経を信ずべし〉と。

[7] "Shariputra, there are in the southern quarter Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, such as Candra-surya-pradipa Buddha, Yashah-prabha Buddha, Maharci-skandha Buddha, Meru-pradipa Buddha, and Ananta-virya Buddha. While dwelling in their own lands, they extend their long, broad tongues and, encompassing with them the universe of a thousand million worlds, pronounce these words of truth: Sentient beings should accept this sutra entitled 'Praise of the Inconceivable Virtue and Protection by All Buddhas.'

【8】 シャリホツ、西方の世界に、無量寿仏・無量相仏・無量幢仏・大光仏・大明仏・宝相仏・浄光仏、かくのごときらの恒河沙数の諸仏ましまして、おのおのその国において、広長の舌相を出し、あまねく三千大千世界に覆ひて、誠実の言を説きたまはく、〈なんぢら衆生、まさにこの不可思議の功徳を称讃したまふ一切諸仏に護念せらるる経を信ずべし〉と。

[8] "Shariputra, there are in the western quarter Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, such as Amitayus Buddha, Amita-ketu Buddha, Amita-dhvaja Buddha, Mahaprabha Buddha, Mahaprabhasa Buddha, Ratna-ketu Buddha and Shuddha-rashmi-prabha Buddha. While dwelling in their own lands, they extend their long, broad tongues and, encompassing with them the universe of a thousand million worlds, pronounce these words of truth: Sentient beings should accept this sutra entitled 'Praise of the Inconceivable Virtue and Protection by All Buddhas.'

【9】 シャリホツ、北方の世界に、焔肩仏・最勝音仏・難沮仏・日生仏・網明仏、かくのごときらの恒河沙数の諸仏ましまして、おのおのその国において、広長の舌相を出し、あまねく三千大千世界に覆ひて、誠実の言を説きたまはく、〈なんぢら衆生、まさにこの不可思議の功徳を称讃したまふ一切諸仏に護念せらるる経を信ずべし〉と。

[9] "Shariputra, there are in the northern quarter Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, such as Arci-skandha Buddha, Vaishvanara-nirghosa Buddha, Duspradharsa Buddha, Aditya-sambhava Buddha and Jalini-prabha Buddha. While dwelling in their own lands, they extend their long, broad tongues and, encompassing with them the universe of a thousand million worlds, pronounce these words of truth: Sentient beings should accept this sutra entitled 'Praise of the Inconceivable Virtue and Protection by All Buddhas.'

【10】シャリホツ、下方の世界に、師子仏・名聞仏・名光仏・達摩仏・法幢仏・持法仏、かくのごときらの恒河沙数の諸仏ましまして、おのおのその国において、広長の舌相を出し、あまねく三千大千世界に覆ひて、誠実の言を説きたまはく、〈なんぢら衆生、まさにこの不可思議の功徳を称讃したまふ一切諸仏に護念せらるる経を信ずべし〉と。

[10] "Shariputra, there are in the nadir Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, such as Simha Buddha, Yashas Buddha, Yashah-prabhasa Buddha, Dharma Buddha, Dharma-dhvaja Buddha and Dharma-dhara Buddha. While dwelling in their own lands, they extend their long, broad tongues and, encompassing with them the universe of a thousand million worlds, pronounce these words of truth: Sentient beings should accept this sutra entitled 'Praise of the Inconceivable Virtue and Protection by All Buddhas.'

【11】シャリホツ、上方の世界に、梵音仏・宿王仏・香上仏・香光仏・大焔肩仏・雑色宝華厳身仏・娑羅樹王仏・宝華徳仏・見一切義仏・如須弥山仏、かくのごときらの恒河沙数の諸仏ましまして、おのおのその国において、広長の舌相を出し、あまねく三千大千世界に覆ひて、誠実の言を説きたまはく、〈なんぢら衆生、まさにこの不可思議の功徳を称讃したまふ一切諸仏に護念せらるる経を信ずべし〉と。

[11] "Shariputra, there are in the zenith Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, such as Brahma-ghosa Buddha, Naksatra-raja Buddha, Gandhottama Buddha, Gandha-prabhasa Buddha, Maharci-skandha Buddha, Ratna-kusuma-sampuspita-gatra Buddha, Salendra-raja Buddha, Ratnotpalashri Buddha, Sarva-artha-darsha Buddha and Sumeru-kalpa Buddha. While dwelling in their own lands, they extend their long, broad tongues and, encompassing with them the universe of a thousand million worlds, pronounce these words of truth: Sentient beings should accept this sutra entitled 'Praise of the Inconceivable Virtue and Protection by All Buddhas.'

【12】シャリホツ、なんぢが意においていかん。なんのゆゑぞ名づけて一切諸仏に護念せらるる経とするや。舎利弗、もし善男子・善女人ありて、この諸仏の所説の名および経の名を聞かんもの、このもろもろの善男子・善女人、みな一切諸仏のためにともに護念せられて、みなアノクタラ・サンミャク・サンボダイを退転せざることを得ん。このゆゑに舎利弗、なんぢらみなまさにわが語および諸仏の所説を信受すべし。舎利弗、もし人ありて、すでに発願し、いま発願し、まさに発願して、阿弥陀仏国に生ぜんと欲はんものは、このもろもろの人等、みなアノクタラ・サンミャク・サンボダイを退転せざることを得て、かの国土において、もしはすでに生れ、もしはいま生れ、もしはまさに生れん。このゆゑに舎利弗、もろもろの善男子・善女人、もし信あらんものは、まさに発願してかの国土に生るべし。

[12] "Shariputra, why do you think this teaching is called 'the Sutra of Protection by All Buddhas'? Shariputra, all good men and women who hear the Name of Amida Buddha expounded by all the Buddhas and the name of this sutra1) are protected by all the Buddhas and dwell in the Stage of Non-retrogression for realizing the highest, perfect Enlightenment. This is why, Shariputra, you should accept my words and the teachings of all the Buddhas.
"Shariputra, those who have already aspired, now aspire or in the future will aspire to be born in Amida Buddha's land, all dwell in the Stage of Non-retrogression for realizing the highest, perfect Enlightenment. They have already been born, are now being born, or will be born in that land. Hence, Shariputra, good men and women of faith should aspire to birth there.

[Note 1] The Taisho Tripitaka edition reads: all good men and women who hear this sutra and hold fast to it and also those who hear the names of those Buddhas.

【13】シャリホツ、われいま諸仏の不可思議の功徳を称讃するがごとく、かの諸仏等もまた、わが不可思議の功徳を称説して、この言をなさく。〈釈迦牟尼仏、よく甚難希有の事をなして、よく娑婆国土の五濁悪世、劫濁・見濁・煩悩濁・衆生濁・命濁のなかにおいて、アノクタラ・サンミャク・サンボダイを得て、もろもろの衆生のために、この一切世間難信の法を説きたまふ〉と。舎利弗、まさに知るべし、われ五濁悪世においてこの難事を行じて、アノクタラ・サンミャク・サンボダイを得て、一切世間のために、この難信の法を説く。これを甚難とす」と

[13] "Shariputra, just as I now praise the inconceivable virtue of other Buddhas, they also praise my inconceivable virtue, saying, 'Shakyamuni Buddha, you have accomplished an extremely difficult and unprecedented task. In this Saha world, during the evil period of the five defilements -- those of time, views, passions, sentient beings, and life-span -- you have attained the highest, perfect Enlightenment and, for the sake of sentient beings, have delivered this teaching, which is the most difficult in the world to accept in faith.'
"Shariputra, you must realize that I have accomplished this difficult task during the period of the five defilements. That is to say, having attained the highest, perfect Enlightenment, I have, for the sake of all the world, delivered this teaching, which is so hard for them to accept. This is indeed an extremely difficult task."

【14】仏、この経を説きたまふこと已りて、シャリホツおよびもろもろの比丘、一切世間の天・人・阿修羅等、仏の所説を聞きて、歓喜し、信受して、礼をなして去りにき。

[14] When the Buddha delivered this sutra, Shariputra and all the monks, together with beings of the whole world, including devas, humans and asuras, rejoiced at what they had heard and reverently accepted it. Having worshiped him, they departed.

仏説阿弥陀経

The End of
The Sutra on Amida Buddha
delivered by Shakyamuni Buddha

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