Amitabha Sutra

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The Buddha's Discourse of the Amitabha Sutra, or Shorter Sukhavativyuha Sutra (阿彌陀經, zh: Ēmítuó jīng; ja: Amida kyou; vi: A di đà kinh), is a Mahayana Buddhist text associated with Pure Land Buddhism.

It was translated from Sanskrit into Chinese by the Tripitaka Master Kumarajiva in the beginning of the 5th century. The bulk of the text consists of the written version of a talk which the Buddha Sakyamuni gave at Jeta Grove in Sravasti. The talk concerned the wondrous adornments that await the righteous in the Western Pure Land (Chinese: 西方極樂國), as well as the beings that reside there, including the buddha Amitabha. The text also describes what one must do to be reborn there.

In Pure Land and Chan Buddhism, the sutra is often part of the evening service (Chinese: 晚課). It is also frequently recited at Buddhist funeral services, in the hope that the merit generated by reciting the sutra may be transmitted to the departed.

A common format for the recitation of the Amitabha Sutra may include some or all of the following:

• Praise for the Incense Offering (盧香讚)
• Praise to the Lotus Pond (蓮池讚)
• The Amitabha Sutra (阿彌陀經)
• Pure Land Rebirth Dharani (往生咒).
• Amitabha Gatha (彌陀偈)
• Recitation of Amitabha Buddha's Name (佛號)
• Transfer of Merit (迴向)

[edit] See also

Infinite Life Sutra (Longer Pure Land Sutra)

[edit] External Links

English translation of the Amitabha Sutra [[1]]