The Sutra of Visualization of the Buddha of Infinite Life

　　as Expounded by Shakyamuni Buddha

　　The Visualization Sutra, also known as the Kuan Wu-Liang-Shou-Fo Ching, is another expedient means by which one may attain Buddhanusmrti, the Buddha-Remembrance Samadhi. In the Visualization Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha teaches a series of 16 visualizations which, when perfected, allow one to have a vision of Amitabha Buddha, Amitabha”s Bohdisattvic attendants and the Pure Land itself in this very lifetime. This Sutra differs from the Larger and Smaller Sukhavati Sutras in that it is an actual manual of meditation. To many, this Sutra played a central role in the emergence of Pure Land Buddhism as a major Buddhist school. Our sincere gratitude is extended to Mr. Charles Patton, also known as Ven. Shih Fa-Men, for his invaluable assistance. Mr. Patton”s own translation of the Visualization Sutra may be read on his web site, The Gateless Passage.

　　I. PROLOGUE

　　Thus have I heard: at one time, Shakyamuni Buddha was staying on Vulture Peak near Rajagrha with a great assembly of 1,250 bhiksus and 32,000 bodhisattvas, led by the Dharma-Prince Manjushri.

　　At that time, in the great city of Rajagrha, there was a prince named Ajatasatru. Following the counsel of Devadatta, an evil friend, he arrested his father, King Bimbisara, and confined him in a cell surrounded by walls seven layers deep, forbidding any officials or ministers from going there. The queen, whose name was Vaidehi, remained loyal to the king. Purifying herself by bathing, she anointed her body with an ointment of cream and honey mixed with wheat flour, and filled her ornaments with grape juice. She then offered them to the king in secret.

　　At that time, the king ate the flour-paste and drank the grape juice, then asked for some water. Having rinsed his mouth completely, he respectfully placed his palms together and, facing Vulture Peak, bowed to the World-Honored One. He said, "Great Maudgalyayana is my friend and compatriot; I beg you to have the compassion to come and initiate me in the Eight Precepts."

　　Thereupon, Maudgalyayana flew to the king like a swooping bird of prey. Day after day, he came like this to initiate the king in the Eight Precepts. The World-Honored One also sent the Venerable Purnamaitrayaniputra, who delivered Dharma discourses and Sutras to the king. Three weeks passed in this fashion. Because the king was able to eat the flour-paste and honey and to hear the Dharma teachings, his countenance became peaceful and calm.

　　At that time, Ajatasatru questioned the guard at the entrance: "Is my father, the king, still alive

　　" The guard replied, "Your Majesty, the queen daily anoints her body with flour-paste and fills her ornaments with grape juice. And the monks Maudgalyayana and Purnamaitrayaniputra swoop down from the sky and deliver Dharma discourses to the king. It is impossible to stop them."

　　Hearing this, Ajatasatru became enraged with his mother and said, "My own mother is a criminal and with criminals does she associate! Those evil monks, with their tricks, illusions and magical incantations, have caused this evil king to have escaped death for many days." With this, he seized a sharp sword intending to kill his mother.

　　At that time, there was a wise and intelligent minister whose name was Moonlight. Along with the physician Jivaka, he bowed to the king and said, "Your Majesty, we have heard it said in the Vedic discourses that from the beginning of this aeon to the present there have been some 18,000 evil kings who have killed their own fathers because they desired the throne; yet never have we heard of anyone who committed the outrageous crime of killing his mother. Your majesty, if you commit such a vicious murder, you will bring disgrace upo…

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