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Difference between revisions of "The Gospel of Buddha:Chapter 60: Amitabha"

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One of the disciples came to the Blessed One<br/>
+
One of the [[disciples]] came to the [[Blessed One]]<br/>
−
with a trembling heart and his mind full of doubt.<br/>
+
with a trembling [[heart]] and his [[mind]] full of [[doubt]].<br/>
−
And he asked the Blessed One:<br/>
+
And he asked the [[Blessed One]]:<br/>
−
"O Buddha, our Lord and Master,<br/>
+
"O [[Buddha]], our [[Lord]] and [[Master]],<br/>
−
why do we give up the pleasures of the world,<br/>
+
why do we give up the [[pleasures]] of the [[world]],<br/>
−
if thou forbiddest us to work miracles<br/>
+
if thou forbiddest us to work [[miracles]]<br/>
−
and to attain the supernatural?<br/>
+
and to attain the [[supernatural]]?<br/>
−
Is not Amitabha, the infinite light of revelation,<br/>
+
Is not [[Amitabha]], the [[infinite light]] of [[revelation]],<br/>
−
the source of innumerable miracles?" [1]<br/>
+
the source of innumerable [[miracles]]?" [1]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
And the Blessed One, seeing the anxiety<br/>
+
And the [[Blessed One]], [[seeing]] the [[anxiety]]<br/>
−
of a truth-seeking mind, said:<br/>
+
of a truth-seeking [[mind]], said:<br/>
−
"O savaka, thou art a novice among the novices,<br/>
+
"O [[savaka]], thou [[art]] a [[novice]] among the novices,<br/>
−
and thou art swimming on the surface of samsara.<br/>
+
and thou [[art]] swimming on the surface of [[samsara]].<br/>
−
How long will it take thee to grasp the truth?<br/>
+
How long will it take thee to [[grasp]] the [[truth]]?<br/>
−
Thou hast not understood the words of the Tathagata.<br/>
+
Thou hast not understood the words of the [[Tathagata]].<br/>
−
The law of karma is irrefragable,<br/>
+
The [[law of karma]] is irrefragable,<br/>
 
and supplications have no effect,<br/>
 
and supplications have no effect,<br/>
−
for they are empty words." [2]<br/>
+
for they are [[empty]] words." [2]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
Said the disciple:<br/>
+
Said the [[disciple]]:<br/>
−
"So sayest thou there are no miracles and wonderful things?" [3]<br/>
+
"So sayest thou there are no [[miracles]] and wonderful things?" [3]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
And the Blessed One replied: [4]<br/>
+
And the [[Blessed One]] replied: [4]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
 
"Is it not a wonderful thing,<br/>
 
"Is it not a wonderful thing,<br/>
−
mysterious and miraculous to the worldling,<br/>
+
mysterious and miraculous to the [[worldling]],<br/>
−
that a man who commits wrong can become a saint,<br/>
+
that a man who commits wrong can become a [[saint]],<br/>
−
that he who attains to true enlightenment<br/>
+
that he who attains to true [[enlightenment]]<br/>
−
will find the path of truth<br/>
+
will find the [[path]] of [[truth]]<br/>
−
and abandon the evil ways of selfishness? [5]<br/>
+
and abandon the [[evil]] ways of [[selfishness]]? [5]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
"The bhikkhu who renounces the transient pleasure of the world<br/>
+
"The [[bhikkhu]] who renounces the transient [[pleasure]] of the [[world]]<br/>
−
for the eternal bliss of holiness,<br/>
+
for the [[eternal]] [[bliss]] of holiness,<br/>
−
performs the only miracle<br/>
+
performs the only [[miracle]]<br/>
−
that can truly be called a miracle. [6]<br/>
+
that can truly be called a [[miracle]]. [6]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
"A holy man changes the curses of karma into blessings.<br/>
+
"A {{Wiki|holy}} man changes the curses of [[karma]] into [[blessings]].<br/>
−
The desire to perform miracles arises either from covetousness or from vanity. [7]<br/>
+
The [[desire]] to perform [[miracles]] arises either from covetousness or from vanity. [7]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
"That mendicant does right<br/>
+
"That {{Wiki|mendicant}} does right<br/>
 
who does not think:<br/>
 
who does not think:<br/>
−
'People should salute me';<br/>
+
'[[People]] should salute me';<br/>
−
who, though despised by the world,<br/>
+
who, though despised by the [[world]],<br/>
−
yet cherishes no ill-will towards it. [8]<br/>
+
yet cherishes no [[ill-will]] towards it. [8]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
"That mendicant does right<br/>
+
"That {{Wiki|mendicant}} does right<br/>
−
to whom omens, meteors, dreams,<br/>
+
to whom {{Wiki|omens}}, meteors, [[dreams]],<br/>
−
and signs are things abolished;<br/>
+
and [[signs]] are things abolished;<br/>
−
he is free from all their evils. [9]<br/>
+
he is free from all their [[evils]]. [9]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
"Amitabha, the unbounded light,<br/>
+
"[[Amitabha]], the unbounded light,<br/>
−
is the source of wisdom, of virtue, of Buddhahood.<br/>
+
is the source of [[wisdom]], of [[virtue]], of [[Buddhahood]].<br/>
−
The deeds of sorcerers and miracle-mongers are frauds,<br/>
+
The [[deeds]] of sorcerers and miracle-mongers are frauds,<br/>
 
but what is more wonderous, more mysterious,<br/>
 
but what is more wonderous, more mysterious,<br/>
−
more miraculous than Amitabha?" [10]<br/>
+
more miraculous than [[Amitabha]]?" [10]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
"But, Master," continued the savaka,<br/>
+
"But, [[Master]]," continued the [[savaka]],<br/>
−
"is the promise of the happy region vain talk and a myth?" [11]<br/>
+
"is the promise of the [[happy]] region vain talk and a [[myth]]?" [11]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
"What is this promise?" asked the Buddha;<br/>
+
"What is this promise?" asked the [[Buddha]];<br/>
−
and the disciple replied: [12]<br/>
+
and the [[disciple]] replied: [12]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
"There is in the west a paradise called the Pure Land,<br/>
+
"There is in the [[west]] a [[paradise]] called the [[Pure Land]],<br/>
−
exquisitely adorned with gold and silver and precious gems.<br/>
+
exquisitely adorned with {{Wiki|gold}} and {{Wiki|silver}} and [[precious]] [[gems]].<br/>
−
There are pure waters with golden sands,<br/>
+
There are [[pure]] waters with golden sands,<br/>
−
surrounded by pleasant walks and covered with large lotus flowers.<br/>
+
surrounded by [[pleasant]] walks and covered with large [[lotus]] [[flowers]].<br/>
−
Joyous music is heard, and flowers rain down three times a day.<br/>
+
[[Joyous]] {{Wiki|music}} is heard, and [[flowers]] [[rain]] down three times a day.<br/>
−
There are singing birds whose harmonious notes proclaim the praises of religion,<br/>
+
There are singing birds whose harmonious notes proclaim the praises of [[religion]],<br/>
−
and in the minds of those who listen to their sweet sounds,<br/>
+
and in the [[minds]] of those who listen to their [[sweet]] {{Wiki|sounds}},<br/>
−
remembrance arises of the Buddha, the law, and the brotherhood.<br/>
+
[[remembrance]] arises of the [[Buddha]], the law, and the brotherhood.<br/>
−
No evil birth is possible there, and even the name of hell is unknown.<br/>
+
No [[evil]] [[birth]] is possible there, and even the [[name]] of [[hell]] is unknown.<br/>
−
He who fervently and with a pious mind repeats the words 'Amitabha Buddha'<br/>
+
He who fervently and with a pious [[mind]] repeats the words '[[Amitabha Buddha]]'<br/>
−
will be transported to the happy region of this pure land,<br/>
+
will be transported to the [[happy]] region of this [[pure land]],<br/>
−
and when death draws nigh, the Buddha, with a company of saintly followers,<br/>
+
and when [[death]] draws nigh, the [[Buddha]], with a company of saintly followers,<br/>
−
will stand before him, and there will be perfect tranquillity." [13]<br/>
+
will stand before him, and there will be perfect [[tranquillity]]." [13]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
"In truth," said the Buddha,<br/>
+
"In [[truth]]," said the [[Buddha]],<br/>
−
"there is such a happy paradise.<br/>
+
"there is such a [[happy]] [[paradise]].<br/>
−
But the country is spiritual and it is accessible<br/>
+
But the country is [[spiritual]] and it is accessible<br/>
−
only to those that are spiritual.<br/>
+
only to those that are [[spiritual]].<br/>
−
Thou sayest it lies in the west.<br/>
+
Thou sayest it lies in the [[west]].<br/>
 
This means, look for it where<br/>
 
This means, look for it where<br/>
−
he who enlightens the world resides.<br/>
+
he who enlightens the [[world]] resides.<br/>
−
The sun sinks down and leaves us in utter darkness,<br/>
+
The {{Wiki|sun}} sinks down and leaves us in utter darkness,<br/>
 
the shades of night steal over us,<br/>
 
the shades of night steal over us,<br/>
−
and Mara, the evil one, buries our bodies in the grave.<br/>
+
and [[Mara]], the [[evil one]], buries our [[bodies]] in the grave.<br/>
−
Sunset is nevertheless no extinction,<br/>
+
Sunset is nevertheless no [[extinction]],<br/>
−
there is boundless light and inexhaustible life." [14]<br/>
+
there is [[boundless light]] and inexhaustible [[life]]." [14]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
"I understand," said the savaka,<br/>
+
"I understand," said the [[savaka]],<br/>
−
"that the story of the Western Paradise<br/>
+
"that the story of the [[Western Paradise]]<br/>
 
is not literally true." [15]<br/>
 
is not literally true." [15]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
"Thy description of paradise," the Buddha continues, "is beautiful;<br/>
+
"Thy description of [[paradise]]," the [[Buddha]] continues, "is beautiful;<br/>
−
yet it is insufficient and does little justice to the glory of the pure land.<br/>
+
yet it is insufficient and does little justice to the glory of the [[pure land]].<br/>
−
The worldly can speak of it in a worldly way only;<br/>
+
The [[worldly]] can speak of it in a [[worldly]] way only;<br/>
−
they use worldly similes and worldly words.<br/>
+
they use [[worldly]] similes and [[worldly]] words.<br/>
−
But the pure land in which the pure live<br/>
+
But the [[pure land]] in which the [[pure]] live<br/>
−
is more beautiful than thou canst say or imagine. [16]<br/>
+
is more beautiful than thou canst say or [[imagine]]. [16]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
"However, the repetition of the name Amitabha Buddha<br/>
+
"However, the repetition of the [[name]] [[Amitabha Buddha]]<br/>
−
is meritorious only if thou speak it<br/>
+
is [[meritorious]] only if thou speak it<br/>
−
with such a devout attitude of mind<br/>
+
with such a devout [[attitude]] of [[mind]]<br/>
−
as will cleanse thy heart<br/>
+
as will cleanse thy [[heart]]<br/>
−
and attune thy will to do works of righteousness.<br/>
+
and attune thy will to do works of [[righteousness]].<br/>
−
He can only reach the happy land whose soul<br/>
+
He can only reach the [[happy]] land whose [[soul]]<br/>
−
is filled with the infinite light of truth.<br/>
+
is filled with the [[infinite light]] of [[truth]].<br/>
−
He only can live and breathe in the spiritual atmosphere<br/>
+
He only can live and breathe in the [[spiritual]] {{Wiki|atmosphere}}<br/>
−
of the Western Paradise who has attained enlightenment. [17]<br/>
+
of the [[Western Paradise]] who has attained [[enlightenment]]. [17]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
 
"Verily I say unto thee,<br/>
 
"Verily I say unto thee,<br/>
−
the Tathagata lives in the pure land of eternal bliss<br/>
+
the [[Tathagata]] [[lives]] in the [[pure land]] of [[eternal]] [[bliss]]<br/>
−
even now while he is still in the body;<br/>
+
even now while he is still in the [[body]];<br/>
−
and the Tathagata preaches the law of religion<br/>
+
and the [[Tathagata]] preaches the law of [[religion]]<br/>
−
unto thee and unto the whole world,<br/>
+
unto thee and unto the whole [[world]],<br/>
 
so that thou and thy brehtren may attain<br/>
 
so that thou and thy brehtren may attain<br/>
−
the same peace and the same happiness." [18]<br/>
+
the same [[peace]] and the same [[happiness]]." [18]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
Said the disciple: "Teach me, O Lord,<br/>
+
Said the [[disciple]]: "Teach me, O [[Lord]],<br/>
−
the meditations to which I must devote myself<br/>
+
the [[meditations]] to which I must devote myself<br/>
−
in order to let my mind enter<br/>
+
in order to let my [[mind]] enter<br/>
−
into the paradise of the pure land." [19]<br/>
+
into the [[paradise]] of the [[pure land]]." [19]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
Buddha said: "There are five meditations. [20]<br/>
+
[[Buddha]] said: "There are five [[meditations]]. [20]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
"The first meditation is the meditation of love<br/>
+
"The first [[meditation]] is the [[meditation]] of [[love]]<br/>
−
in which thou must so adjust thy heart<br/>
+
in which thou must so adjust thy [[heart]]<br/>
−
that thou longest for the weal and welfare<br/>
+
that thou longest for the weal and {{Wiki|welfare}}<br/>
−
of all beings including the happiness of thine enemies. [21]<br/>
+
of all [[beings]] including the [[happiness]] of thine enemies. [21]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
"The second meditation is the meditation of pity,<br/>
+
"The second [[meditation]] is the [[meditation]] of pity,<br/>
−
in which thou thinkest of all beings in distress,<br/>
+
in which thou thinkest of all [[beings]] in {{Wiki|distress}},<br/>
−
vividly representing in thine imagination<br/>
+
vividly representing in thine [[imagination]]<br/>
 
their sorrows and anxieties so as to arouse<br/>
 
their sorrows and anxieties so as to arouse<br/>
−
a deep compassion for them in thy soul. [22]<br/>
+
a deep [[compassion]] for them in thy [[soul]]. [22]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
"The the third meditation is the meditation of joy<br/>
+
"The the third [[meditation]] is the [[meditation]] of [[joy]]<br/>
−
in which thou thinkest of the prosperity of others<br/>
+
in which thou thinkest of the {{Wiki|prosperity}} of others<br/>
 
and rejoicest with their rejoicings. [23]<br/>
 
and rejoicest with their rejoicings. [23]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
"The fourth meditation is the meditation on purity, in which thou considerest the evil consequences<br/>
+
"The fourth [[meditation]] is the [[meditation]] on [[purity]], in which thou considerest the [[evil]] consequences<br/>
−
of corruption, the effects of wrongs and evils.<br/>
+
of corruption, the effects of wrongs and [[evils]].<br/>
−
How trivial is often the pleasure of the momemt<br/>
+
How [[trivial]] is often the [[pleasure]] of the momemt<br/>
 
and how fatal are its consequences! [24]<br/>
 
and how fatal are its consequences! [24]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
"The fifth meditation is the meditation on serenity,<br/>
+
"The fifth [[meditation]] is the [[meditation]] on [[serenity]],<br/>
−
in which thou risest above love and hate, tyranny and thraldom, wealth and want,<br/>
+
in which thou risest above [[love]] and [[hate]], tyranny and thraldom, [[wealth]] and want,<br/>
−
and regardest thine own fate with impartial calmness and perfect tranquillity. [25]<br/>
+
and regardest thine own [[fate]] with impartial [[calmness]] and perfect [[tranquillity]]. [25]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
"A true follower of the Tathagata<br/>
+
"A true follower of the [[Tathagata]]<br/>
−
founds not his trust upon austerities or rituals<br/>
+
founds not his [[trust]] upon austerities or [[rituals]]<br/>
−
but giving up the idea of self<br/>
+
but giving up the [[idea]] of [[self]]<br/>
−
relies with his whole heart upon Amitabha,<br/>
+
relies with his whole [[heart]] upon [[Amitabha]],<br/>
−
which is the unbounded light of truth." [26]<br/>
+
which is the unbounded light of [[truth]]." [26]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
The Blessed One after having explained his doctrine of Amitabha,<br/>
+
The [[Blessed One]] after having explained his [[doctrine]] of [[Amitabha]],<br/>
−
the immeasurable light which makes him who receives it a Buddha,<br/>
+
the [[immeasurable]] light which makes him who receives it a [[Buddha]],<br/>
−
looked into the heart of his disciple and saw still some doubts and anxieties.<br/>
+
looked into the [[heart]] of his [[disciple]] and saw still some [[doubts]] and anxieties.<br/>
−
And the Blessed One said:<br/>
+
And the [[Blessed One]] said:<br/>
−
"Ask me, thy son, the questions which weigh upon thy soul." [27]<br/>
+
"Ask me, thy son, the questions which weigh upon thy [[soul]]." [27]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
And the disciple said:<br/>
+
And the [[disciple]] said:<br/>
−
"Can a humble monk, by sanctifying himself,<br/>
+
"Can a [[humble]] [[monk]], by sanctifying himself,<br/>
−
acquire the talents and supernatural wisdom called Abhinnyas<br/>
+
acquire the talents and [[supernatural]] [[wisdom]] called Abhinnyas<br/>
−
and the supernatural powers called Iddhi?<br/>
+
and the [[supernatural powers]] called [[Iddhi]]?<br/>
−
Show me the Iddhi-pada, the path to the highest wisdom?<br/>
+
Show me the Iddhi-pada, the [[path]] to the [[highest]] [[wisdom]]?<br/>
−
Open to me the Jhanas which are the means of acquiring samadhi,<br/>
+
Open to me the [[Jhanas]] which are the means of acquiring [[samadhi]],<br/>
−
the fixity of mind which enraptures the soul." [28]<br/>
+
the fixity of [[mind]] which enraptures the [[soul]]." [28]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
And the Blessed One said: "Which are the Abhinnyas?" [29]<br/>
+
And the [[Blessed One]] said: "Which are the Abhinnyas?" [29]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
The disciple replied: "There are six Abhinnyas:<br/>
+
The [[disciple]] replied: "There are six Abhinnyas:<br/>
−
(1) The celestial eye;<br/>
+
(1) The [[celestial]] [[eye]];<br/>
−
(2) the celestial ear;<br/>
+
(2) the [[celestial]] {{Wiki|ear}};<br/>
−
(3) the body at will or the power of transformation;<br/>
+
(3) the [[body]] at will or the power of [[transformation]];<br/>
−
(4) the knowledge of the destiny of former dwellings, so as to know former states of existence;<br/>
+
(4) the [[knowledge]] of the [[destiny]] of former {{Wiki|dwellings}}, so as to know former states of [[existence]];<br/>
−
(5) the faculty of reading the thoughts of others; and<br/>
+
(5) the faculty of reading the [[thoughts]] of others; and<br/>
−
(6) the knowledge of comprehending the finality of the stream of life." [30]<br/>
+
(6) the [[knowledge]] of comprehending the finality of the stream of [[life]]." [30]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
And the Blessed One replied:<br/>
+
And the [[Blessed One]] replied:<br/>
 
"These are wondrous things;<br/>
 
"These are wondrous things;<br/>
 
but verily, every man can attain them.<br/>
 
but verily, every man can attain them.<br/>
−
Consider the abilities of thine own mind;<br/>
+
Consider the {{Wiki|abilities}} of thine own [[mind]];<br/>
 
thou wert born about two hundred leagues from here<br/>
 
thou wert born about two hundred leagues from here<br/>
−
and canst thou not in thy thought,<br/>
+
and canst thou not in thy [[thought]],<br/>
 
in an instant travel to thy native place<br/>
 
in an instant travel to thy native place<br/>
 
and remember the details of thy father's home?<br/>
 
and remember the details of thy father's home?<br/>
−
Seest thou not with thy mind's eye the roots of the tree<br/>
+
Seest thou not with thy [[mind's]] [[eye]] the [[roots]] of the [[tree]]<br/>
−
which is shaken by the wind without being overthrown?<br/>
+
which is shaken by the [[wind]] without being overthrown?<br/>
−
Does not the collector of herbs see in his mental vision,<br/>
+
Does not the collector of herbs see in his [[mental]] [[vision]],<br/>
−
whenever he pleases, any plant with its roots,<br/>
+
whenever he pleases, any plant with its [[roots]],<br/>
−
its stems, its fruits, leaves,<br/>
+
its stems, its {{Wiki|fruits}}, leaves,<br/>
 
and even the uses to which it can be applied?<br/>
 
and even the uses to which it can be applied?<br/>
−
Cannot the man who understands languages<br/>
+
Cannot the man who [[understands]] [[languages]]<br/>
−
recall to his mind any word whenever he pleases,<br/>
+
recall to his [[mind]] any [[word]] whenever he pleases,<br/>
−
knowing its exact meaning and import?<br/>
+
[[knowing]] its exact meaning and import?<br/>
−
How much more does the Tathagata understand the nature of things;<br/>
+
How much more does the [[Tathagata]] understand the [[nature]] of things;<br/>
−
he looks into the hearts of men and reads their thoughts.<br/>
+
he looks into the hearts of men and reads their [[thoughts]].<br/>
−
He knows the evolution of beings and forsees their ends." [31]<br/>
+
He [[knows]] the [[evolution]] of [[beings]] and forsees their ends." [31]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
Said the disciple:<br/>
+
Said the [[disciple]]:<br/>
−
"Then the Tathagata teaches<br/>
+
"Then the [[Tathagata]] teaches<br/>
−
that man can attain through the Jhanas<br/>
+
that man can attain through the [[Jhanas]]<br/>
−
the bliss of Abhinnya." [32]<br/>
+
the [[bliss]] of Abhinnya." [32]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
And the Blessed One asked in reply:<br/>
+
And the [[Blessed One]] asked in reply:<br/>
−
"Which are the Jhanas through which man reaches Abhinnya?" [33]<br/>
+
"Which are the [[Jhanas]] through which man reaches Abhinnya?" [33]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
The disciple replied: "There are four Jhanas.<br/>
+
The [[disciple]] replied: "There are four [[Jhanas]].<br/>
−
The first Jhana is seclusion in which one must free his mind from sensuality;<br/>
+
The first [[Jhana]] is {{Wiki|seclusion}} in which one must free his [[mind]] from [[sensuality]];<br/>
−
the second Jhana is a tranquillity of mind full of joy and gladness;<br/>
+
the second [[Jhana]] is a [[tranquillity]] of [[mind]] full of [[joy]] and gladness;<br/>
−
the third Jhana is a taking delight in things spiritual;<br/>
+
the third [[Jhana]] is a taking [[delight]] in things [[spiritual]];<br/>
−
the fourth Jhana is a state of perfect purity and peace<br/>
+
the fourth [[Jhana]] is a state of perfect [[purity]] and [[peace]]<br/>
−
in which the mind is above all gladness and grief." [34]<br/>
+
in which the [[mind]] is above all gladness and [[grief]]." [34]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
"Good, my son," enjoined the Blessed One:<br/>
+
"Good, my son," enjoined the [[Blessed One]]:<br/>
 
"Be sober and abandon wrong practices<br/>
 
"Be sober and abandon wrong practices<br/>
−
which serve only to stultify the mind." [35]<br/>
+
which serve only to stultify the [[mind]]." [35]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
Said the disciple: "Forbear with me, O Blessed One,<br/>
+
Said the [[disciple]]: "Forbear with me, O [[Blessed One]],<br/>
−
for I have faith without understanding<br/>
+
for I have [[faith]] without [[understanding]]<br/>
−
and I am seeking the truth.<br/>
+
and I am seeking the [[truth]].<br/>
−
O Blessed One, O Tathagata, my Lord and Master,<br/>
+
O [[Blessed One]], O [[Tathagata]], my [[Lord]] and [[Master]],<br/>
−
teach me the Iddhipada." [36]<br/>
+
teach me the [[Iddhipada]]." [36]<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
The Blessed One said:<br/>
+
The [[Blessed One]] said:<br/>
−
"There are four means by which Iddhi is acquired:<br/>
+
"There are four means by which [[Iddhi]] is acquired:<br/>
−
(1) Prevent bad qualities from arising.<br/>
+
(1) Prevent bad qualities from [[arising]].<br/>
 
(2) Put away bad qualities which have arisen.<br/>
 
(2) Put away bad qualities which have arisen.<br/>
−
(3) Produce goodness that does not yet exist.<br/>
+
(3) Produce [[goodness]] that does not yet [[exist]].<br/>
−
(4) Increase goodness which already exists.<br/>
+
(4) Increase [[goodness]] which already [[exists]].<br/>
 
Search with sincerity, and persevere in the search.<br/>
 
Search with sincerity, and persevere in the search.<br/>
−
In the end thou wilt find the truth." [37]<br/>
+
In the end thou wilt find the [[truth]]." [37]<br/>
  
 
{{The Gospel of Buddha}}
 
{{The Gospel of Buddha}}

Latest revision as of 19:40, 31 December 2013

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One of the disciples came to the Blessed One
with a trembling heart and his mind full of doubt.
And he asked the Blessed One:
"O Buddha, our Lord and Master,
why do we give up the pleasures of the world,
if thou forbiddest us to work miracles
and to attain the supernatural?
Is not Amitabha, the infinite light of revelation,
the source of innumerable miracles?" [1]

And the Blessed One, seeing the anxiety
of a truth-seeking mind, said:
"O savaka, thou art a novice among the novices,
and thou art swimming on the surface of samsara.
How long will it take thee to grasp the truth?
Thou hast not understood the words of the Tathagata.
The law of karma is irrefragable,
and supplications have no effect,
for they are empty words." [2]

Said the disciple:
"So sayest thou there are no miracles and wonderful things?" [3]

And the Blessed One replied: [4]

"Is it not a wonderful thing,
mysterious and miraculous to the worldling,
that a man who commits wrong can become a saint,
that he who attains to true enlightenment
will find the path of truth
and abandon the evil ways of selfishness? [5]

"The bhikkhu who renounces the transient pleasure of the world
for the eternal bliss of holiness,
performs the only miracle
that can truly be called a miracle. [6]

"A holy man changes the curses of karma into blessings.
The desire to perform miracles arises either from covetousness or from vanity. [7]

"That mendicant does right
who does not think:
'People should salute me';
who, though despised by the world,
yet cherishes no ill-will towards it. [8]

"That mendicant does right
to whom omens, meteors, dreams,
and signs are things abolished;
he is free from all their evils. [9]

"Amitabha, the unbounded light,
is the source of wisdom, of virtue, of Buddhahood.
The deeds of sorcerers and miracle-mongers are frauds,
but what is more wonderous, more mysterious,
more miraculous than Amitabha?" [10]

"But, Master," continued the savaka,
"is the promise of the happy region vain talk and a myth?" [11]

"What is this promise?" asked the Buddha;
and the disciple replied: [12]

"There is in the west a paradise called the Pure Land,
exquisitely adorned with gold and silver and precious gems.
There are pure waters with golden sands,
surrounded by pleasant walks and covered with large lotus flowers.
Joyous music is heard, and flowers rain down three times a day.
There are singing birds whose harmonious notes proclaim the praises of religion,
and in the minds of those who listen to their sweet sounds,
remembrance arises of the Buddha, the law, and the brotherhood.
No evil birth is possible there, and even the name of hell is unknown.
He who fervently and with a pious mind repeats the words 'Amitabha Buddha'
will be transported to the happy region of this pure land,
and when death draws nigh, the Buddha, with a company of saintly followers,
will stand before him, and there will be perfect tranquillity." [13]

"In truth," said the Buddha,
"there is such a happy paradise.
But the country is spiritual and it is accessible
only to those that are spiritual.
Thou sayest it lies in the west.
This means, look for it where
he who enlightens the world resides.
The sun sinks down and leaves us in utter darkness,
the shades of night steal over us,
and Mara, the evil one, buries our bodies in the grave.
Sunset is nevertheless no extinction,
there is boundless light and inexhaustible life." [14]

"I understand," said the savaka,
"that the story of the Western Paradise
is not literally true." [15]

"Thy description of paradise," the Buddha continues, "is beautiful;
yet it is insufficient and does little justice to the glory of the pure land.
The worldly can speak of it in a worldly way only;
they use worldly similes and worldly words.
But the pure land in which the pure live
is more beautiful than thou canst say or imagine. [16]

"However, the repetition of the name Amitabha Buddha
is meritorious only if thou speak it
with such a devout attitude of mind
as will cleanse thy heart
and attune thy will to do works of righteousness.
He can only reach the happy land whose soul
is filled with the infinite light of truth.
He only can live and breathe in the spiritual atmosphere
of the Western Paradise who has attained enlightenment. [17]

"Verily I say unto thee,
the Tathagata lives in the pure land of eternal bliss
even now while he is still in the body;
and the Tathagata preaches the law of religion
unto thee and unto the whole world,
so that thou and thy brehtren may attain
the same peace and the same happiness." [18]

Said the disciple: "Teach me, O Lord,
the meditations to which I must devote myself
in order to let my mind enter
into the paradise of the pure land." [19]

Buddha said: "There are five meditations. [20]

"The first meditation is the meditation of love
in which thou must so adjust thy heart
that thou longest for the weal and welfare
of all beings including the happiness of thine enemies. [21]

"The second meditation is the meditation of pity,
in which thou thinkest of all beings in distress,
vividly representing in thine imagination
their sorrows and anxieties so as to arouse
a deep compassion for them in thy soul. [22]

"The the third meditation is the meditation of joy
in which thou thinkest of the prosperity of others
and rejoicest with their rejoicings. [23]

"The fourth meditation is the meditation on purity, in which thou considerest the evil consequences
of corruption, the effects of wrongs and evils.
How trivial is often the pleasure of the momemt
and how fatal are its consequences! [24]

"The fifth meditation is the meditation on serenity,
in which thou risest above love and hate, tyranny and thraldom, wealth and want,
and regardest thine own fate with impartial calmness and perfect tranquillity. [25]

"A true follower of the Tathagata
founds not his trust upon austerities or rituals
but giving up the idea of self
relies with his whole heart upon Amitabha,
which is the unbounded light of truth." [26]

The Blessed One after having explained his doctrine of Amitabha,
the immeasurable light which makes him who receives it a Buddha,
looked into the heart of his disciple and saw still some doubts and anxieties.
And the Blessed One said:
"Ask me, thy son, the questions which weigh upon thy soul." [27]

And the disciple said:
"Can a humble monk, by sanctifying himself,
acquire the talents and supernatural wisdom called Abhinnyas
and the supernatural powers called Iddhi?
Show me the Iddhi-pada, the path to the highest wisdom?
Open to me the Jhanas which are the means of acquiring samadhi,
the fixity of mind which enraptures the soul." [28]

And the Blessed One said: "Which are the Abhinnyas?" [29]

The disciple replied: "There are six Abhinnyas:
(1) The celestial eye;
(2) the celestial ear;
(3) the body at will or the power of transformation;
(4) the knowledge of the destiny of former dwellings, so as to know former states of existence;
(5) the faculty of reading the thoughts of others; and
(6) the knowledge of comprehending the finality of the stream of life." [30]

And the Blessed One replied:
"These are wondrous things;
but verily, every man can attain them.
Consider the abilities of thine own mind;
thou wert born about two hundred leagues from here
and canst thou not in thy thought,
in an instant travel to thy native place
and remember the details of thy father's home?
Seest thou not with thy mind's eye the roots of the tree
which is shaken by the wind without being overthrown?
Does not the collector of herbs see in his mental vision,
whenever he pleases, any plant with its roots,
its stems, its fruits, leaves,
and even the uses to which it can be applied?
Cannot the man who understands languages
recall to his mind any word whenever he pleases,
knowing its exact meaning and import?
How much more does the Tathagata understand the nature of things;
he looks into the hearts of men and reads their thoughts.
He knows the evolution of beings and forsees their ends." [31]

Said the disciple:
"Then the Tathagata teaches
that man can attain through the Jhanas
the bliss of Abhinnya." [32]

And the Blessed One asked in reply:
"Which are the Jhanas through which man reaches Abhinnya?" [33]

The disciple replied: "There are four Jhanas.
The first Jhana is seclusion in which one must free his mind from sensuality;
the second Jhana is a tranquillity of mind full of joy and gladness;
the third Jhana is a taking delight in things spiritual;
the fourth Jhana is a state of perfect purity and peace
in which the mind is above all gladness and grief." [34]

"Good, my son," enjoined the Blessed One:
"Be sober and abandon wrong practices
which serve only to stultify the mind." [35]

Said the disciple: "Forbear with me, O Blessed One,
for I have faith without understanding
and I am seeking the truth.
O Blessed One, O Tathagata, my Lord and Master,
teach me the Iddhipada." [36]

The Blessed One said:
"There are four means by which Iddhi is acquired:
(1) Prevent bad qualities from arising.
(2) Put away bad qualities which have arisen.
(3) Produce goodness that does not yet exist.
(4) Increase goodness which already exists.
Search with sincerity, and persevere in the search.
In the end thou wilt find the truth." [37]

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Source

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