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Romanised transliteration as printed by the translator, not the original script. This is what we hold.
1§21. MEDITATION ON BUDDHA AMITAYUS. 187 high ^, seated on (a lotus-flower in) the water of the lake. As it was stated before, the (real) body and its measurement are unlimited, incomprehensible to the ordinary mind. ' But by the efficacy of the ancient prayer of that Tathagata, those who think of and remember him shall certainly be able to accomplish their aim. ' Even the mere perceiving of the image of that Buddha brings to one immeasurable blessings. How much more, then, will the meditating upon all the complete bodily signs of that Buddha ! Buddha Amitayus has supernatural power; since everything is at his disposal, he freely transforms himself in the regions of the ten quarters. At one time he shows himself as possessing a magnificent body, which fills the whole sky, at another he makes his body appear small, the height being only sixteen or eighteen cubits. The body he manifests is always pure gold in colour ; his halo — (bright with) transformed Buddhas — and his jewel lotus-flowers are as mentioned above. The bodies of the two Bodhisattvas are the same always. * All beings can recognise either of the two Bodhisattvas by simply glancing at the marks of their heads. These two Bodhisattvas assist Amitayus in his work of universal salvation ; — such is the meditation that forms a joint perception of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas, and it is the Thirteenth Meditation.' ^ This is said to have been the height of .Sakyamuni ; the cubit is Chinese, but as it varied from time to time, it is difficult to determine his real height. Spence Hardy, in his Manual of Buddhism, p. 364, says, ' Buddha is sometimes said to be twelve cubits in height, and sometimes eighteen cubits.' 1 88 amitavur-diiyana-sOtra, §22.
2Part III. § 22. Buddha then spoke to Ananda and Vaidehi : * The beings who will be born in the highest form of the highest grade (i. e. to Buddhahood) are those, whoever they may be, who wish to be born in that country and cherish the threefold thought whereby they are at once destined to be born there. What is the threefold thought, you may ask. First, the True Thought; second, the Deep Believing Thought; third, the Desire to be born in that Pure Land by bringing one's own stock of merit to maturity. Those who have this threefold thought in perfection shall most assuredly be born into that country. ' There are also three classes of beincrs who are able to be born in that country. What, you may ask, are the three classes of beings ? First, those who are possessed of a compassionate mind, who do no injury to any beings, and accomplish all virtuous actions according to Buddha's precepts ; second, those who study and recite the Sutras of the Mahaydna doctrine, for instance, the Vaipulya Sutras ^ ; third, those who practise the sixfold remembrance -. These three classes of beings who wish to be born in that country by bringing (their respective stocks of merit) to maturity, will become destined to be born there if they have accomplished any of those meritorious deeds for one day or even for seven days. ' Nanjio's Catalogue of Tripi/aka, Nos. 23, 24-28, and many others. * Sixfold remembrance, i. e. of the Three Jewels, the precepts, the charity of Buddha, and Bodhisativas and the world of Devas.
3§22. MEDITATION ON BUDDHA AMITAYUS. 189 * When one who has practised (these merits) is about to be born in that country, Buddha Amitayus, together with the two Bodhisattvas Aval, and Mahas., also numberless created Buddhas, and a hundred thousand Bhikshus and 6ravakas, with their whole retinue, and innumerable gods, together with the palaces of seven jewels, will appear before him out of regard for his diligence and courage ; Aval., together with Mahas., will offer a diamond seat to him ; thereupon Amitayus himself will send forth magnificent rays of light to shine over the dying person's body. He and many Bodhisattvas will offer their hands and welcome him, when Aval., Mahas., and all the other Bodhisattvas will praise the glory of the man who practised the meritorious deeds, and convey an exhortation to his mind. When the new-comer, having seen these, rejoicing and leaping for joy, looks at himself, he will find his own body seated on that diamond throne ; and as he follows behind Buddha he will be born into that country, in a moment. When he has been born there, he will see Buddha's form and body with every sign of perfection complete, and also the perfect forms and signs of all the Bodhisattvas ; he will also see brilliant rays and jewelforests and hear them propounding the excellent Law, and instantly be conscious of a spirit of resignation to whatever consequences may hereafter arise. Before long he will serve every one of the Buddhas who live in the regions of the ten quarters. In the presence of each of those Buddhas he will obtain successively a prophecy of his future destiny. On his return to his own land (Sukhavati, in which he has just been born)
The source text as printed, transcribed diplomatically. Where the source language uses a non-Latin script that reaches us only through a Victorian romanisation, this layer is labelled transliteration, because that is what we hold.
Romanised transliteration as printed by the translator, not the original script. This is what we hold.
1§21. MEDITATION ON BUDDHA AMITAYUS. 187 high ^, seated on (a lotus-flower in) the water of the lake. As it was stated before, the (real) body and its measurement are unlimited, incomprehensible to the ordinary mind. ' But by the efficacy of the ancient prayer of that Tathagata, those who think of and remember him shall certainly be able to accomplish their aim. ' Even the mere perceiving of the image of that Buddha brings to one immeasurable blessings. How much more, then, will the meditating upon all the complete bodily signs of that Buddha ! Buddha Amitayus has supernatural power; since everything is at his disposal, he freely transforms himself in the regions of the ten quarters. At one time he shows himself as possessing a magnificent body, which fills the whole sky, at another he makes his body appear small, the height being only sixteen or eighteen cubits. The body he manifests is always pure gold in colour ; his halo — (bright with) transformed Buddhas — and his jewel lotus-flowers are as mentioned above. The bodies of the two Bodhisattvas are the same always. * All beings can recognise either of the two Bodhisattvas by simply glancing at the marks of their heads. These two Bodhisattvas assist Amitayus in his work of universal salvation ; — such is the meditation that forms a joint perception of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas, and it is the Thirteenth Meditation.' ^ This is said to have been the height of .Sakyamuni ; the cubit is Chinese, but as it varied from time to time, it is difficult to determine his real height. Spence Hardy, in his Manual of Buddhism, p. 364, says, ' Buddha is sometimes said to be twelve cubits in height, and sometimes eighteen cubits.' 1 88 amitavur-diiyana-sOtra, §22.
2Part III. § 22. Buddha then spoke to Ananda and Vaidehi : * The beings who will be born in the highest form of the highest grade (i. e. to Buddhahood) are those, whoever they may be, who wish to be born in that country and cherish the threefold thought whereby they are at once destined to be born there. What is the threefold thought, you may ask. First, the True Thought; second, the Deep Believing Thought; third, the Desire to be born in that Pure Land by bringing one's own stock of merit to maturity. Those who have this threefold thought in perfection shall most assuredly be born into that country. ' There are also three classes of beincrs who are able to be born in that country. What, you may ask, are the three classes of beings ? First, those who are possessed of a compassionate mind, who do no injury to any beings, and accomplish all virtuous actions according to Buddha's precepts ; second, those who study and recite the Sutras of the Mahaydna doctrine, for instance, the Vaipulya Sutras ^ ; third, those who practise the sixfold remembrance -. These three classes of beings who wish to be born in that country by bringing (their respective stocks of merit) to maturity, will become destined to be born there if they have accomplished any of those meritorious deeds for one day or even for seven days. ' Nanjio's Catalogue of Tripi/aka, Nos. 23, 24-28, and many others. * Sixfold remembrance, i. e. of the Three Jewels, the precepts, the charity of Buddha, and Bodhisativas and the world of Devas.
3§22. MEDITATION ON BUDDHA AMITAYUS. 189 * When one who has practised (these merits) is about to be born in that country, Buddha Amitayus, together with the two Bodhisattvas Aval, and Mahas., also numberless created Buddhas, and a hundred thousand Bhikshus and 6ravakas, with their whole retinue, and innumerable gods, together with the palaces of seven jewels, will appear before him out of regard for his diligence and courage ; Aval., together with Mahas., will offer a diamond seat to him ; thereupon Amitayus himself will send forth magnificent rays of light to shine over the dying person's body. He and many Bodhisattvas will offer their hands and welcome him, when Aval., Mahas., and all the other Bodhisattvas will praise the glory of the man who practised the meritorious deeds, and convey an exhortation to his mind. When the new-comer, having seen these, rejoicing and leaping for joy, looks at himself, he will find his own body seated on that diamond throne ; and as he follows behind Buddha he will be born into that country, in a moment. When he has been born there, he will see Buddha's form and body with every sign of perfection complete, and also the perfect forms and signs of all the Bodhisattvas ; he will also see brilliant rays and jewelforests and hear them propounding the excellent Law, and instantly be conscious of a spirit of resignation to whatever consequences may hereafter arise. Before long he will serve every one of the Buddhas who live in the regions of the ten quarters. In the presence of each of those Buddhas he will obtain successively a prophecy of his future destiny. On his return to his own land (Sukhavati, in which he has just been born)
The source text as printed, transcribed diplomatically. Where the source language uses a non-Latin script that reaches us only through a Victorian romanisation, this layer is labelled transliteration, because that is what we hold.
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