CONTEMPLATION SUTRA

　　THE SUTRA ON CONTEMPLATION

　　OF AMITAYUS

　　观无量寿经

　　delivered by Shakyamuni Buddha

　　Translated into Chinese during the Liu-Sung dynasty

　　刘宋西域三藏法师畺良耶舍 译

　　by the Tripitaka Master Kalayashas from Central Asia

　　translated from Chinese by Hisao Inagaki

　　Preface

　　[1] Thus have I heard. At one time the Buddha was staying on the Vulture Peak in Rajagriha [341a] with a large assembly of twelve hundred and fifty monks. He was also accompanied by thirty-two thousand bodhisattvas led by Manjushri, the Dharma Prince.

　　[1] 如是我闻。一时佛在王舍城耆阇崛山中。与大比丘众千二百五十人俱。菩萨三万二千。文殊师利法王子。而为上首。

　　King Bimbisara imprisoned by his son Ajatashatru

　　[2] At that time, in the great city of Rajagriha, there was a prince named Ajatashatru. Instigated by his wicked friend, Devadatta, he seized his father, King Bimbisara, confined him in a room with seven-fold walls, and forbade all the court officials to visit the king.

　　Vaidehi, the king”s consort, was devoted to him. After having bathed and cleansed herself, she spread over her body ghee and honey mixed to a paste with wheat flour, filled her ornaments with grape juice and secretly offered this food and drink to the king. He ate the flour paste and drank the juice and then asked for water. Having rinsed his mouth, he joined his palms in reverence and, facing the Vulture Peak, worshipped the World-Honored One from afar, said, "Mahamaudgalyayana is my close friend. I beseech you to have pity on me and send him here to give me the eight precepts."

　　Then Mahamaudgalyayana flew as swift as a hawk to the king. Day after day he came like this to give him the eight precepts. The World-Honored One also sent the Venerable Purna likewise to the palace to expound the Dharma to the king. Three weeks passed in this way. Because he had eaten the flour-paste and heard the Dharma, he appeared peaceful and contented.

　　[2] 尔时王舍大城有一太子。名阿阇世。随顺调达恶友之教。收执父王频婆娑罗。幽闭置于七重室内。制诸群臣一不得往。国大夫人名韦提希。恭敬大王。澡浴清净。以酥蜜和糗用涂其身。诸璎珞中盛葡萄浆密以上王。尔时大王。食糗饮浆。求水漱口。漱口毕已。合掌恭敬。向耆阇崛山遥礼世尊。而作是言。大目乾连是吾亲友。愿兴慈悲授我八戒。时目乾连如鹰隼飞疾至王所。日日如是授王八戒。世尊亦遣尊者富楼那。为王说法。如是时间经三七日。王食糗蜜得闻法故。颜色和悦。

　　Queen Vaidehi”s imprisonment

　　[3] Then Ajatashatru asked the guard, "Is my father still alive

　　"

　　The guard replied, "Great king, his consort spreads flour paste over her body and fills her ornaments with grape juice and offers these to the king. The monks Mahamaudgalyayana and Purna come here through the air to expound the Dharma to him. It is impossible to stop them."

　　Hearing this, Ajatashatru became furious with his mother and said, "Because you are an accomplice to that enemy, mother, you too are an enemy. Those monks are evil, for with their delusive magic they have kept this wicked king alive for many days." So saying, he drew his sharp sword, intending to kill her.

　　At that time the king had a minister named Candraprabha who was intelligent and wise. Together with Jivaka he made obeisances to the king and said, "Great King, according to a certain Vedic scripture, since the beginning of this cosmic period, there have been eighteen thousand wicked kings who have killed their fathers out of their desire to usurp the throne, but we have never heard of anyone who has committed the outrage of killing his mother. Your Majesty, if you commit such an outrage, you will bring disgrace upon the ksatriya class. As your ministers, we cannot bear to hear what people will say. As this would be the act of an outcaste, we could no longer remain here."

　　Having spoken these words, the two ministers grasped their swords and stepped back. Agitated and frightened, Ajatashatru said to Jivaka, "Are you not on my side

　　"

　　Jivaka replied, "Your Majesty, please restrain yourself and do not kill your mother."

　　Hearing this, the king repented and begged their forgiveness. [341b] Having thrown away his sword, he stopped …

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