(Skt. Smaller Sukhavativyuha sutra)
(Ch. A-mi-t'o ching)
(Jp. Amida-kyo)
published in Kyoka Kenkyu (Journal of Jodo Shu Edification Studies), No. 14, 2003
Kumarajiva,2 Yao-Qin3 dynasty Dharma Priest of the Tripitaka4
(1)
I, Ananda,5 heard the following from the Buddha, Shakyamuni. At one time Shakyamuni was at the Jetavana garden6 in Shravasti.7 As many as twelve hundred and fifty people assembled, and they were especially eminent monks. There were all recognizedarhats,8 great ascetics who had eliminated their delusions, and whose names had spread throughout the populace. Among them, the elders Shariputra,9 Maha-Maudgalyayana,10 Maha-Kashyapa,11 Maha-Katyayana,12 Maha-Kausthila,13 Revata,14 Suddhi-panthaka,15 Nanda,16 Ananda, Rahula,17 Gavampati,18 Pindola-Bharadvaja,19 Kalodayin,20 Maha-Kapphina,21 Vakkula,22 and Anuruddha,23 were outstanding disciples. There was also a vast group of bodhisattvas; the most excellent among them were Dharma Prince Manjushri,24 the Bodhisattva Ajita,25 the Bodhisattva Gandhahastin,26 and the Bodhisattva Nityodyukta.27 In addition, innumerable celestial deities such as Indra28 had gathered.
(2)
Then the Buddha Shakyamuni preached to the elder Shariputra as follows: ﾒTo the far west of this world in which we are mired in delusion,29 beyond as many as ten billion buddha-worlds,30 thereﾕs another world. Its name is Ultimate Bliss. There is a buddha there whose name is Amitabha. Amitabha Buddha is still there even now and continues to teach the Dharma. Shariputra, do you know why that buddha-world is called Ultimate Bliss? It is because the people who live there have never experienced pain of body and mind; they are enveloped only by multitude forms of pleasure and happiness. For that reason it is called Ultimate Bliss.
(3)
Also, Shariputra, the world is encircled by seven railings, with seven rows of gauze curtains with bells covering the sky, and surrounded by seven rows of trees. They are all set with four kinds of jewels, so that the world is lavishly decorated throughout every corner. For that reason this world is called Ultimate Bliss.
(4)
Again, Shariputra, in that world there is a lotus pond whose shore is decorated with seven kinds of jewels. The pond brims with waters of eight good qualities31 and the floor of the pond is lined with sand of gold. The pond is surrounded by steps on its four sides made of gold, silver, lapis lazuli, and crystal. Looking up from there is a pavilion lavishly adorned with the seven jewels of gold, silver, lapis lazuli, crystal, coral, red pearls, and agate. There are lotuses in the pond in full blossom, and their flowers are as large as the wheel of a cart. The blue flowers give off a blue light; the yellow flowers give off a yellow light; the red flowers give off a red light; and the white flowers give of a white light. Each of the lotus flowers glows, weaving a scene of delicacy while emitting a subtle fragrance. Shariputra, this world of Ultimate Bliss is set up as an ideal environment so that whatever one lays eyes upon will bring about awakening.
(5)
Also, Shariputra, in Amitabha Buddhaﾕs world of Ultimate Bliss, there is always music playing to lighten the heart. Moreover, the ground is made of gold and flower petals32 floating down from the heavens six times every day.33 The people living in Ultimate Bliss early in the morning of every day gather up lots of these petals into a flower basket and traveling to a hundred billion buddha-worlds offer up these petals to the buddhas in worship. It having become lunchtime during this activity, they return in an instant to Ultimate Bliss, eat lunch and afterwards quietly practice mindfulness with walking. Shariputra, this world of Ultimate Bliss is set up as an ideal environment to follow the Buddha path and awaken to enlightenment.
(6)
Furthermore, Shariputra, in the world of Ultimate Bliss there are incomparable birds of various species and brilliant coloring, such as white egrets,34 peacocks, parrots, sharikas,35 kalavinkas,36 and jivamjivakas.37 Six times a day, the birds sing out in exquisite voices. The very chirping of the birds expounds the Buddhaﾕs teachings, such as the five roots of goodness,38 the five powers,39 the seven factors of enlightenment,40 and the Noble Eightfold Path.41 When the people of the world of Ultimate Bliss hear the birdﾕs voices, all of their feelings of adoration are applied to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Shariputra, do not think that these birds were born as such as a result of misdeeds in former lives. The reason for this is that in the world of Ultimate Bliss, the three unfortunate realms of hell, hungry ghosts, and beasts do not exist. Shariputra, you will not even hear the names of these three realms in the world of Ultimate Bliss. How can it be said that one could fall into one of these unfortunate realms? Impossible, there is no rationale for their existence. Amitabha Buddha manifested these birds out of desire for them to communicate these teachings with their their songs.
Shariputra, in the world of Ultimate Bliss, a pleasant breeze blows, swaying the rows of trees colored with various jewels and waving the gauze curtains with their little bells of crystal, creating an exquisite melody. This is just as though hundreds of thousands of musical instruments were all being played together at the same time. For all who hear this melody, their devotion to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha is spontaneously deepened. Shariputra, in this way the world of Ultimate Bliss is set up as an ideal environment so that whatever one hears will bring about awakening.
(7)
Shariputra, what do you think? Why is this Buddha called Amitabha? Shariputra, this Buddha emits infinite light, disregarding all obstacles to throw light upon the world. For that reason this Buddha is called Amitabha, the Buddha of Immeasurable Light. Also, Shariputra, the lifespan of this Buddha and those in the world of Ultimate Bliss is unfathomably long to the point of being immeasurable. For that reason this Buddha is called Amitayus, the Buddha of Immeasurable Life. Shariputra, from the day Amitabha achieved enlightenment until the present day, an unfathomably long time of ten kalpas42 has already passed. In addition, Shariputra, this Buddha has an infinite number of disciples, practitioners called arhats, all of whom have eliminated their passions.
Their numbers are inconceivable. Even the majority of bodhisattvas cannot conceive of their numbers. Shariputra, in this way the world of Ultimate Bliss is set up as an ideal environment for sentient beings to achieve enlightenment.
(8)
Moreover, Shariputra, all those people who live in the world of Ultimate Bliss will absolutely not veer from the Buddhist path until they have reached the realm of enlightenment. The vast majority have the virtue of becoming a buddha in their very next life.
There is such a vast number of them that it is inconceivable. The only conceivable way of doing so would be to count for a limitless, immeasurable expanse of time. Shariputra, those sentient beings who hear of the conditions of this Pure Land should aspire to achieve birth in this world of Ultimate Bliss. Why is that? Because there they can gather and meet these splendid sacred ones.
However, Shariputra, those that aspire to be born in this land cannot rely on a few appropriate virtues for birth or the accumulation of outstanding spiritual practices. (In that case, what must they do to realize their birth?)
(9)
Shariputra, good men and women if they aspire to be born where they can hear the teaching of Amitabha Buddha, and they repeat the invocation to Amitabha Buddha, ﾒNamu Amida Butsu,ﾓ [Japanese pronunciation] for one day, two days, three, four, five, six, or seven days, single-mindedly and without distraction, when they come to the end of their lives, Amitabha Buddha with his entourage of bodhisattvas and saintly disciples from the world of Ultimate Bliss, will appear before their very eyes. For that reason, even at their last hour, if they resist distraction, Amitabha will come to greet them and bring them forthwith to be born in the world of Ultimate Bliss. Shariputra, I explain this teaching of repeating Amitabhaﾕs invocation because I can see clearly that Amitabha Buddhaﾕs salvation is without fail. Those that hear this teaching will surely aspire to be born in Amitabhaﾕs Pure Land and should certainly be born there.
(10)
Shariputra, I am not the only one, who like today, has praised the inconceivable virtues of Amitabha Buddha. There are buddhas with buddha-worlds to the east such as Akshobhya Buddha, Meru-dhvaja Buddha, Maha-meru Buddha, Meru-prabhsa Buddha, and Manju-svara Buddha43 as limitless as the sands of the Ganges River. While each remaining in their own lands, to promote the truth, they have extended their vast tongues44 encompassing a billion world systems,45 pronouncing these words of truth without falsehood: ﾒAll of you should believe in this Sutra which proclaims the protection of all the Buddhas who praise the inconceivable virtues of Amitabha Buddha, such as birth in the Pure Land through the nembutsu, and who hear the heartfelt intention of nembutsupractitioners.ﾓ
(11)
In addition, there are buddhas with buddha-worlds to the south such as Candra Surya-pradipa Buddha, Yashaprabha Buddha, Maharci-skandha Buddha, Meru-pradipa Buddha, and Ananta-virya Buddha as limitless as the sands of the Ganges River. While each remaining in their own worlds, they have extended their vast tongues encompassing a billion world systems, pronouncing these words of truth: ﾒAll of you should believe in this Sutra which proclaims the protection of all the Buddhas who praise the inconceivable virtues of Amitabha Buddha, such as birth in the Pure Land through the nembutsu, and who hear the heartfelt intention of nembutsu practitioners.ﾓ
(12)
Furthermore, there are buddhas with buddha-worlds to the west such as Amitayus Buddha,46 Amita-ketu Buddha, Amita-dhvaja Buddha, Maha-prabha Buddha, Maha-prabhasa Buddha, Ratna-ketu Buddha, and Suddha-rasmi-prabha Buddha as limitless as the sands of the Ganges River. While each remaining in their own worlds, they have extended their vast tongues encompassing a billion world systems, pronouncing these words of truth: ﾒAll of you should believe in this Sutra which proclaims the protection of all the Buddhas who praise the inconceivable virtues of Amitabha Buddha, such as birth in the Pure Land through the nembutsu, and who hear the heartfelt intention of nembutsu practitioners.ﾓ
(13)
Moreover, there are buddhas with buddha-worlds to the north such as Arci-skandha Buddha, Vaishvanara-nirghosa Buddha, Duspradharsa Buddha, Aditya-sambhava Buddha, and Jalini-prabha Buddha as limitless as the sands of the Ganges River. While each remaining in their own worlds, they have extended their vast tongues encompassing a billion world systems, pronouncing these words of truth: ﾒAll of you should believe in this Sutra which proclaims the protection of all the Buddhas who praise the inconceivable virtues of Amitabha Buddha, such as birth in the Pure Land through the nembutsu, and who hear the heartfelt intention of nembutsu practitioners.ﾓ
(14)
Additionally, there are buddhas with buddha-worlds in the lower regions such as Simha Buddha, Yashas Buddha, Yashah-prabhasa Buddha, Dharma Buddha, Dharma-dhvaja Buddha, and Dharma-dhara as limitless as the sands of the Ganges River. While each remaining in their own worlds, they have extended their vast tongues encompassing a billion world systems, pronouncing these words of truth: ﾒAll of you should believe in this Sutra which proclaims the protection of all the Buddhas who praise the inconceivable virtues of Amitabha Buddha, such as birth in the Pure Land through the nembutsu, and who hear the heartfelt intention of nembutsu practitioners.ﾓ
(15)
Also, there are buddhas with buddha-worlds in the upper regions such as Brahma-ghosa Buddha, Naksatra-raja Buddha, Gandhottama Buddha, Gandha-prabhasa Buddha, Maharci-skandha Buddha, Ratna-kusuma Sampuspita-gatra Buddha, Salendra-raja Buddha, Ratnotpala-shri Buddha, Sarva-artha-darsha Buddha, and Sumeru-kalpa Buddha as limitless as the sands of the Ganges River. While each remaining in their own worlds, they have extended their vast tongues encompassing a billion world systems, pronouncing these words of truth: ﾒAll of you should believe in this Sutra which proclaims the protection of all the Buddhas who praise the inconceivable virtues of Amitabha Buddha, such as birth in the Pure Land through the nembutsu, and who hear the heartfelt intention of nembutsu practitioners.ﾓ
(16)
Shariputra, what do you think? Why was this sutra given the appellation ﾒSutra which proclaims the protection of all the Buddhas who praise the inconceivable virtues of Amitabha Buddha, such as birth in the Pure Land through the nembutsu, and who hear the heartfelt intention of nembutsu practitionersﾓ? Shariputra, if good men and good women hear the name of this scripture and the name of Amitabha Buddha praised by all the Buddhas, each and every one will have their hearts drawn toward Amitabha; being protected, they will not veer from the Buddha way of enlightenment, and after birth will achieve this realm surpassed by none for the attainment of perfect enlightenment. That is the reason, Shariputra. Everyone, omitting no one, take these words of mine and the words of all of the Buddhas, believe in them and cleave them to your heart. Shariputra, whosoever strengthens their thoughts on Amitabha Buddhaﾕs world of Ultimate Bliss, or repeats the nembutsu having already aspired to birth, or repeats the nembutsuhaving now aspired to birth, or repeats the nembutsu having in the future aspired to birth, for each, they are either already born, or are about to be born, or will be born in the future. After having been born, these people will not veer from the Buddhist way of unsurpassed perfect enlightenment. That is the reason Shariputra. Those among good men and good women who sincerely believe in my words and the words of all of the Buddhas will surely aspire to birth in the world of Ultimate Bliss, and repeating thenembutsu, they will certainly achieve birth in the Pure Land.
(17)
Shariputra, in the same way that I praise all of the Buddhasﾕ inconceivable virtues of protection that draws the hearts of those who repeat the nembutsu, all of the Buddhas also praise my inconceivable virtues: ﾒShakyamuni Buddha, you have accomplished this most difficult and unprecedented task. While being in this present world full of the five corruptionsﾑthe corruption of the age,47 the corruption of proper faith,48 the corruption of public morality,49 the corruption of human character,50 and the corruption of shortening lifespans51ﾑyou have attained the state of ultimate perfect enlightenment, and in addition, you have explained this teaching, difficult to believe for being beyond the common understanding of this world, of a paradise and birth there through thenembutsu.ﾓ Shariputra it would be good to remember this. While being in this present world full of the five corruptions, I have carried out this most difficult task and, in addition, attained the state of ultimate perfect enlightenment. And not only that, but for the sake of the people of this world, I have explained this teaching, difficult to believe for being beyond the common understanding of this world, of a paradise and birth there through the nembutsu. For that reason all of the Buddhas praise me for this ﾒmost difficult task.ﾓ
(18)
When Shakyamuni Buddha finished explaining this sutra, those who had listened, starting with Shariputra and the monks, the worlds of celestial beings and people, and the asura demons,52 all were filled with delight having carefully taken each individual word and engraved it on their hearts, and after paying homage to Shakyamuni Buddha, they then departed.
NOTES:
1 Translation by order of an imperial edict; a translation project sponsored by the government.
2 350-409. A monk born in the Kucha region of Western China during of the period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties. When the Kucha kingdom was taken over by the former Qin, he was compelled to live as a prisoner, but when that kingdom was then taken over in turn by the Later Qin, he was brought to Xian, the capital of China. After that he became a major translator of Buddhist sutrasﾑtranslating the Heart Sutra, Lotus Sutra, and Vimalakirti Sutra, among othersﾑand trained a large number of disciples. His achievements are highly regarded in the history of Buddhism.
3 The Later Qin kingdom (384-417), one of the kingdoms during the Sixteen Kingdoms period of ancient China, referred to as Yao-Qin because the kingdom was founded by Yao Chang.
4 Refers to those monks who are fully versed in the teachings of Buddhism. The Tripitaka (ﾒthree basketsﾓ) refer to 1) the Sutras (the discourses of Shakyamuni), 2) the Vinaya (various rules of conduct formulated by Shakyamuni for the Buddhist clergy), and 3) the Abhidharma (treatises explaining the teachings of Shakyamuni)ﾑhence, meaning someone who has mastered the entirety of the Buddhist teaching.
5 Ananda was a paternal cousin of Shakyamuni. He was always near Shakyamuni looking after him and attended a great number of his lectures. Hence, he was known among Shakyamuni disciples as the ﾒfirst and foremost in hearing the sermonsﾓ (tamon daiichi). Buddhist sutras often have as their basic form Ananda remembering a sermon by Shakyamuni and sharing it with everyone.
6 The merchant Anathapindika donated to Shakyamuni a park of trees, and the monastery built there was called Jetavana Monastery. The merchantﾕs name means ﾒhe who generously gives almsﾓ or ﾒhe who feeds the solitary,ﾓ for that reason he is called Anathapindika. According to tradition, the merchant Anathapindika bought the land of the park owned by Prince Jeta to donate it to the monks and Prince Jeta donated the trees, for that reason it is also called the Jeta-Anathapindika Grove.
7 Shravasti was the capital of the kingdom of Koshala in ancient India, and was one of the regions in which Shakyamuni was active.
8 The term derives from ﾒworthy of respect and offeringsﾓ and can also be translated as ﾒworthy.ﾓ It refers to a practitioner who has attained the highest enlightenment.
9 One of Shakyamuni disciples, known for his great intelligence. The leader of Shakyamuniﾕs disciples, although he died before Shakyamuni.
10 Along with Shariputra, one of Shakyamuniﾕs leading disciples, known for his supernatural power. Like Shariputra, he died before Shakyamuni.
11 One of Shakyamuniﾕs disciples, known for his strict adherence to asceticism, performing strict practices to eliminate desire. He had the largest number of disciples himself, before becoming a convert of Shakyamuniﾕs. He outlived Shakyamuni and led the monastic community after this death.
12 One of Shakyamuniﾕs disciples, known for his discursive talents. He explained Shakyamuniﾕs sermons, making them easily understandable to the practitioners.
13 One of Shakyamuniﾕs disciples, known for his question and answer debates on the Buddhist doctrine, often held in unison with Shariputra. According to one explanation, he was an uncle of Shariptura. He was born in a wealthy Brahman family, and was highly cultured.
14 One of Shakyamuniﾕs disciples, known for his meditation practices and believed to be a younger brother of Shariputra. He was praised by Shakyamuni himself for his ﾒsatisfaction in austerityﾓ obtained through his practices.
15 He followed his brother in becoming a disciple of Shakyamuni, but due to his bad memory, he could not remember even one teaching. But under the guidance of Shakyamuni, he was able to rid his heart of desires and finally achieved arhathood during a moment of fervent cleaning.
16 One of Shakyamuniﾕs disciples, known for his supernatural power. He was a child of Suddhodana, King of the Shaka clan, and a stepbrother of Shakyamuni. After Shakyamuni renounced lay life, Nanda was expected to become head of the Shaka clan, but following Shakyamuniﾕs lead he also renounced lay life. It is said that because he was a handsome young man he was burdened by passion finally eliminated through Shakyamuniﾕs guidance.
17 One of Shakyamuniﾕs disciples, known for his secret practices. He was the son of Shakyamuni, born while Shakyamuni was still a prince, and followed Shakyamuniﾕs lead in renouncing lay life. Admiring Shakyamuni, he too performed solitary practices.
18 According to one explanation, the Miscellany of the Precious Treasury Sutra (Za baozang jing, scroll four), he and his three brothers renounced lay life to receive the teaching from Shakyamuni, (expressed in these lines: ﾒAll phenomena are impermanent. This is the law of birth and death. The cessation of such birth and death; is the bliss of nirvana.ﾓ) and thus realized arhatship. He is said to have saved the Buddhaﾕs disciples from a flood with his spiritual powers. His name is also translated as Gavampati (Minotaur King).
19 One of Shakyamuniﾕs disciples, known for his ﾒlionﾕs roarﾓ signifying his attainment of enlightenment. He excelled at expounding the doctrine, but was reproved by Shakyamuni for showing off his spiritual powers before a lay audience. Due to his embarrassment, he left the fold to propagate Buddhism on his own. From ancient times in Japan, it became part of popular belief that rubbing the appropriate part of his image would heal the wound or ailment.
20 A childhood friend of Shakyamuni, he was born on the same day as Shakyamuni as the son of a minister in the Kapilavastu kingdom governed by the Shaka clan. The first portion of his name, kalo, is an appellation meaning black, whether because he was always dark complexioned or because his skin turned dark after having saved Shakyamuni from snake venom. There was another monk with the same name found in the Buddhist scriptures, who was repeatedly reproved by the Shakyamuni. Initially, he was not able to fully embrace his teaching, but finally was able to become an arhat due to Shakyamuniﾕs guidance.
21 One of Shakyamuniﾕs disciples, known for his teaching and for guiding those who have renounced lay life. Despite having inherited the throne to become king, he renounced lay life to follow Shakyamuni. He had such great spiritual powers that he need not lift a finger, yet he still practiced meditation assiduously.
22 One of Shakyamuniﾕs disciples, known for his good health and long life. Although he enjoyed practicing meditation in solitary, he was nursed on his deathbed even by those disciples he had never personally taught or guided.
23 One of Shakyamuniﾕs disciples. After renouncing lay life, he was scolded by the Buddha for falling asleep during sermons; he then repented and vowed never to fall asleep again. As a result he became blind, but gained the spiritual power to see into the future and peoplesﾕ hearts, and became known for his divine vision. When he was sewing his robe, the Buddha helped him thread his needle since he could not see to do it.
24 His name has also been translated as ﾒWonderful and Auspiciousﾓ and ﾒWonderful Virtue,ﾓ and ﾒPrince of Dharmaﾓ, refering to his accomplished understanding of Shakyamuniﾕs enlightenment. He appears in many scriptures, but the most important for explaining his teaching is the body of Prajna paramita sutras and related treatises.
25 This alternative name for Maitreya means ﾒinvincible,ﾓ another of his epithets means ﾒbenevolent.ﾓ
26 Also translated as ﾒFragrant Elephant,ﾓ the etymology of which refers to the virility of a male elephant.
27 The etymology of his name is ﾒone who works with diligence to save all sentient beings.ﾓ
28 Originally an Indian deity adopted as a guardian deity of Buddhism, and having the characteristics of a god of thunder or a warrior god.
29 Saha is the Sanskrit term which refers to the mundane world, and also has the connotation of enduring. As such, it is also translated into Chinese as the ﾒland of suffering.ﾓ
30 Literally: 10 x 10,000 x 100,000,000.
31 The eight good qualities of water: pure, cool, sweet, soft, never drying up, calm, healing, and energizing.
32 These are petals of the mandarava flower, the meaning of which is ﾒthat which gladdens the hearts of those who see them,ﾓ and the name of the flower is also translated as ﾒpleasingﾓ or ﾒagreeable.ﾓ The petals are imagined to look like honeysuckle flowers, a common motif in Buddhism imagery.
33 These six times are usually listed in the Buddhist scriptures as morning, noon, afternoon, evening, midnight, and dawn.
34 It is imagined to be a white waterfowl with a long bill and is usually translated into English as egret, swan, or goose.
35 This mythological bird is translated into Chinese as a ﾒbird of a hundred tongues.ﾓ Because it is supposed to be able to speak human languages, it is also interpreted to be a myna bird.
36 A mythological small bird that sings with a lovely voice. In the traditional Japanese court dance form gagaku, there is a specific dance called karyobin (Skt: kalavin) performed by a young boy wearing a vermilion red costume with brightly colored feathers.
37 A mythical species of hawk or eagle with two heads. The ﾒjiva, jivaﾓ cry of the bird means ﾒlifeﾓ in Sanskrit, and so it is also referred to as ﾒthe bird of longevity.ﾓ
38 The five roots of goodness: faith, endeavor, mindfulness, mental concentration, and wisdom. These eliminate hindrances and provide the motivating power to attain enlightenment.
39 The five powers are the next step attained after practicing the five roots of goodness, and prevent bad practices: the power of faith which obstructs false teachings, the power of endeavor which keeps the mind and body alert, the power of mindfulness which prevents false thoughts, the power of mental concentration which prevents distraction, and the power of wisdom which destroys delusion.
40 These factors provide mental conditioning for attaining enlightenment: mindfulness, investigation of phenomena, endeavor, rapture, serenity, concentration, and equanimity.
41 The Noble Eightfold Path is the method of realizing enlightenment: right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.
42 Kalpa in Sanskrit, according to one explanation 4,320,000,000 years long. Metaphorically, it is said to be longer than it would take to empty a castle seven kilometers square full of poppy seeds by removing one poppy seed every hundred years, or longer than it would take to wear away a rock seven kilometers square by a heavenly maiden flying down once every hundred years to brush the rock with her robes.
43 As in many cases, only the names of these buddhas are known; no further information about them can be ascertained.
44 One of the thirty-two physical attributes of a buddha. In ancient India, touching the tongue to the nose was a demonstration of the truth of oneﾕs words.
45 The original literally reads ﾒthree thousand great thousandsﾓ meaning one thousand to the third power, i.e. a billion world systems. These Buddhist world systems are comprised of the ﾒthree realmsﾓ: the realm of desire, the realm of form, and the realm of non-form.
46 There is a long standing debate on whether Amitabha and Amitayus are the same buddha or not. However, here Amitayus is praising Amitabha, so it would be inconsistent if they were the same Buddha in this case.
47 According to the Bodhisattvabhumi sutra, when there is a change for the worse, such as the outbreak of famine, epidemic, and warfare (Skt. kalpa-kasaya, Jp. ko-joku).
48 When faith will become based on unskillful teachings and wrong thinking (Skt. drsti-kasaya, Jp. ken-joku).
49 When violence and fighting, and lies and fraud are accepted (Skt. klesha-kasaya, Jp. bonno-joku).
50 When there is loss of respect for seniors, no fear of punishment in the afterlife, virtues and almsgiving are not practiced, and the precepts and regulations are not obeyed (Skt. sattva-kasaya, Jp. shujo-joku).
51 When the lifespan of human beings becomes limited to a hundred years (Skt. ayus-kasaya, Jp. myo-joku).
52 One type of demi-gods who upon hearing the Buddhaﾕs sermon vowed to protect the Buddhist doctrine. Originally they were gods, and in later times were considered demons. In the Buddhist scriptures they often fight voraciously with other deities but lose.