..續本文上一頁an neither be thought nor discussed. Therefore all the myriad Buddha in that region protect and care for this Sutra.

　　Release palms

　　"O Sariputra, what do you think

　　 Why do those Buddha that I have named protect and care for this Sutra

　　 It is because, Sariputra, if sons or daughters of good families or good men or women who hear of this Sutra and keep it and who also hear these myriad Buddha that I have named; these myriad sons and daughters of good families or good men or women, because of the pervasive activity of all the many kinds of Buddhas who protect and care for this Sutra, will obtain the ”Never Receding Nor Turning Back From Any Advances Gained” state which proceeds to the Unexcelled Complete Enlightenment.

　　"Venerable Sariputra, those anywhere in the Universe who have suitable faith and receive my words can then reach to the many kinds of Buddha places of which I have expounded.

　　"Sariputra, if a man in the past has made this resolve or at this moment obtains this resolve or does attain this resolve in the future ,such a one will be immediately reborn in the Land of Amitabha Buddha. This is equally true of the many kinds of men everywhere---all can obtain the ”Never Receding Nor Turning Back” state which proceeds to the Unexcelled Complete Enlightenment.

　　"With reference to this Land, if in a past life, the present life, or in a future life, O Venerable Sariputra, the myriad sons and daughters of good families or good men or women have faith in the worthiness of this Vow and respond to it suitably, they will be reborn in the Land of Amitabha .

　　"Thus, Sariputra, I now sing the praises of the myriad Buddha whose merit is beyond thought or discussion. Likewise the myriad Buddhas also sing praises to me, saying that my own merit is also beyond thought or discussion.

　　"Therefore with the arising of these words Shakyamuni Buddha has performed a very difficult and rare work by which He was able, in this universe and world, even with its Five Periods of Evil Realms and its Impure Eons, to discern its impurities. Also He discerned the defiling nature of passions impurity and the assembled rebirths impurity and also the reduced length of life impurity and even so, among these impurities, He obtained the Unexcelled Complete Enlightenment. Thereupon His Activity was to expound to all the many kinds of living beings the Dharma that is difficult to have faith in because of the separations caused by impurities.

　　"Sariputra, I have the suitable knowledge of these Five Evil Periods and have thus acted in this difficult labor because I have attained the Unexcelled Complete Enlightenment. Thus so also is my activity to expound to all the many kinds of living beings that Dharma that is difficult to have faith in because of the pisions in all realms. Although this correct activity is very difficult, the Buddha has expounded this correct Sutra."

　　Thereupon Sariputra and the many kinds of fully ordained monks and the whole world of Devas, Men and Arhats who all equally heard the Buddha expound this Sutra were strengthened in Joy, Faith and Resolve and each of them made Ten Obeisances to Him.

　　PRECENTOR

　　Thus did the Buddha expound the Amitabha Sutra!

　　Now comes a time of "One Mindedness" free from distractions before beginning to enlarge the concentration to include the Holy Name. By means of our calling out this name, myriads of past blameworthy acts are completely eradicated and many beneficial roots, merits and blessings are thusly caused. The "twenty-one character (the first portion of the Future Rebirth Dharani)" compose this Treasury” fundamental origin. Without this relationship, men of later times would not have been able to add to this offering and thus get rid of past karma.

　　PRECENTOR

　　Let us now recite the Mystica…

《[晚課] Evening Recitations (late Ven· Shih Shen-Lung(Ryugen Fisher)》全文未完，請進入下頁繼續閱讀…