Let us continue with selections from “The Sutra on Contemplation of Amitayus,” translated into English by J. Takakusu in the book “Buddhist Mahayana Texts.” Expounding on the qualities for the highest grades and middle grades of birth into the Pure Land.
Contemplating the three highest grades of rebirth (in the pure land).
“Next are those who are to be born in the lowest form of the highest grade: this class of beings also believes in (the principle of) cause and effect, and without slandering the Mahâyâna doctrine, simply cherishes the thought of obtaining the highest Bodhi and by bringing this good quality to maturity seeks to be born in that Country of Highest Happiness. When a devotee of this class dies, Amitâyus, with Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara and Bodhisattva Mahâsthâma, and all the dependents, will offer him a golden lotus flower; he will also miraculously create five hundred Buddhas in order to send and meet him. These five hundred created Buddhas will, all at once, offer hands and praise him, saying: ‘O my son in the Law! Thou are pure now; as thou have cherished the thought of obtaining the highest Bodhi, we come to meet thee.’ When he has seen them, he will find himself seated on that golden lotus flower. Soon the flower will close upon him; following behind the World-Honored One, he will go to be born in the lake of seven jewels. After one day and one night, the lotus flower will unfold itself. Within seven days he may see Buddha’s body, though his mind is not as yet clear enough to perceive all the signs and marks of the Buddha, which he will be able to see clearly after three weeks; then he will hear many sounds and voices preaching the excellent Law, and he himself, travelling through all the ten quarters, will worship all the Buddhas, from whom he will learn the deepest significance of the Law. After three lesser kalpas, he will gain entrance to the knowledge of a hundred (divisions of) nature (satadharmavidyâdvâra) and become settled in the (first) joyful stage (of Bodhisattva). The perception of these three classes of beings is called the meditation upon the superior class of beings, and is the Fourteenth Meditation.”
Contemplating the three middle “lotus grades.”
“The beings who will be born in the highest form of the middle grade are those who observe the five prohibitive precepts, the eight prohibitive precepts and the fasting, and practice all the moral precepts; who do not commit the five deadly sins, and who bring no blame or trouble upon any being; and who by bringing these good qualities to maturity seek to be born in the World of Highest Happiness in the western quarter. On the eve of such a person’s departure from this life, Amitâyus, surrounded by Bhikshus and dependents, will appear before him, flashing forth rays of golden color, and will preach the Law of suffering, non-existence, impermanence, and non-self. He will also praise the virtue of homelessness that can liberate one from all sufferings. At the sight of Buddha, that believer will excessively rejoice in his heart; he will soon find himself seated on a lotus flower. Kneeling down on the ground and stretching forth his folded hands, he will pay homage to Buddha. Before he raises his head, he will reach that Country of Highest Happiness and be born there. Soon the lotus flower will unfold, when he will hear sounds and voices praising and glorifying the Four Noble Truths (of suffering). He will immediately attain to the fruition of Arhatship, gain the threefold knowledge and the six supernatural faculties, and complete the eightfold emancipation.
The beings who will be born in the middle form of the middle grade are those who either observe the eight prohibitive precepts, and the fasting for one day and one night, or observe the prohibitive precept for Sramanera (a novice) for the same period, or observe the perfect moral precepts, not lowering their dignity nor neglecting any ceremonial observance for one day and one night, and by bringing their respective merits to maturity seek to be born in the Country of Highest Happiness. On the eve of departure from this life, such a believer who is possessed of this moral virtue, which he has made fragrant by cultivation during his life, will see Amitâyus, followed by all his retinue; flashing forth rays of golden color, this Buddha will come before him and offer a lotus flower of seven jewels. He will hear a voice in the sky, praising him and saying: ‘O son of a noble family, thou are indeed an excellent man. Out of regard for thy obedience to the teachings of all the Buddhas of the three worlds, I, now, come and meet thee.’ Then the newcomer will see himself seated on that lotus flower. Soon the lotus flower will fold around him, and being in this, he will be born in the jewel lake of the World of Highest Happiness in the western quarter. After seven days, that flower will unfold again, when the believer will open his eyes, and praise the World-Honored One, stretching forth his folded hands. Having heard the Law, he will rejoice and obtain the fruition of a Srota-âpanna (the first grade to Nirvâna). In the lapse of half akalpa, he will become an Arhat.
Next are the beings who will be born in the lowest form of the middle grade (to Buddhahood). If there be sons or daughters of a noble family who are filial to their parents and support them, besides exercising benevolence and compassion in the world, at their departure from this life, such persons will meet a good and learned teacher who will fully describe to them the state of happiness in that Buddha country of Amitâyus, and will also explain the forty-eight prayers of the Bhikshu Dharmâkara. As soon as any such person has heard these details, his life will come to an end. In a brief moment, he will be born in the World of Highest Happiness in the western quarter. After seven days, he will meet Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara and Bodhisattva Mahâsthâma, from whom he will learn the Law and rejoice. After the lapse of a lesser kalpa he will attain to the fruition of an Arhat.
The perception of these three sorts of beings is called the meditation of the middle class of beings, and is the Fifteenth Meditation.”
