Vasubandhu - Aspiration for Birth in the Pure Land (Jodoron)

Vasubandhu - Aspiration for Birth in the Pure Land (from the Jodoron)
Adapted from a translation by David Matsumoto
Made with Suno Ai


Oh World-Honored One,
I, with single mind,
take refuge in the Tathagata
whose unhindered Light totally fills the universe
and aspire to be born in the Land of Peace and Bliss.

I, in accordance with the embodiments
of True and Real Virtues revealed in the Amitayus Sutra,
will now present a complete aspiration verse
to be reborn and align with Dharma.

Contemplating the manifestations of that World,
I realize that excellence surpasses the three worlds.
Ultimately, it is just like empty space, vast and boundless.

It has arisen from the roots of supreme good,
the path's Great Compassion.
Its pure Light is full, like a mirror, the sun, the moon.

It is endowed with the nature of all rare jewels
and possesses marvelous adornments.
Its undefiled Light brilliantly illuminates
that World clearly and purely.

Grasses, with jewel like virtues,
are soft and tender, waving around.
One who touches them receives great pleasure,
surpassing that of the Kachilindika.

Ten million types of jeweled flowers
cover completely the lakes, streams and springs.
When a soft, gentle breeze moves flowers and leaves,
reflected rays of light fuse and dance.

Palaces and many towers
overlook its ten quarters without obstruction.
A variety of colored trees
are all encircled by jeweled railings.

Innumerable nets of jewels, twisting, mixing, cover the sky.
Within all sorts of bells emit ringing
proclaiming exquisite Dharma sounds.

From the sky rain flower adornments.
Innumerable fragrances pervade everywhere.
The Wisdom of Buddha, as clear and pure as the sun,
eliminates the darkness of the foolish world.

A sacred voice which enlightens all,
is deep and profound.
Its exquisite and is heard throughout the ten quarters.
Amida Buddha, the perfectly Enlightened Dharma King,
resides there and sustains that Land well.

The many beings there, the Tathagata's pure flowers,
are born transformed from blossoms of Perfect Enlightenment.
They delight in the taste of Buddha-Dharma,
and take Dhyana and Samadhi as nourishment.

They are forever free of all pain and suffering,
and always receive endless happiness.
This World of the good roots of Mahayana is one of equality;
there's no slanderous or loathsome names.

No gender no imperfect bodies,
nor those with the seeds of the two vehicles will be born there.
The sentient beings' aspirations for happiness
will all be fulfilled.

And so I aspire to be born in Amida Buddha's Land.
There is a delicate and pure flowered pedestal
of the most precious and measureless magnificent of jewels.

The Light of Amida Buddha's visage extends for fathoms.
His form and figure far surpass all beings.
The sacred tone of the Tathagata's exquisite voice
is heard throughout the ten quarters.

In the same manner as earth, water, fire, wind and space,
He is without mental discrimination.
The many devas and humans unshakable
are born from the pure Wisdom-Ocean.

Just like Sumeru, the king of mountains,
Amida Buddha, supreme, wondrous, unsurpassed.
Devas, humans and heroes venerate,
circumambulate and look in reverence to Amida.

Contemplating the Power of Buddha's Primal Vow,
I realize no one encounters it in vain.
It enables one to quickly attain
the great Treasure-Ocean of Virtues.

The Land of Peace and Bliss is pure
and Bodhisattvas constantly turn
the undefiled Dharma Wheel.
Manifested Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
like the sun, like Sumeru, in its steadfast immovability.

In a single moment of time,
the undefiled, sublime light of Bodhisattvas
universally illuminates all Buddhas
and benefits all of the beings there.

By raining heavenly music, flowers,
garments and marvelous fragrances
they equally give offerings
and praise the virtues of all Buddhas.
In so doing they have no discriminating thoughts.

If there are any worlds
which are without the virtuous treasures of the Buddha-Dharma,
they vow, "I aspire to be born in them all,
revealing the Buddha-Dharma, just as the Buddha does."

By writing a Discourse and composing this Gatha,
I aspire to see Amida Buddha,
and together with all sentient beings everywhere,
to be born in the Land of Peace and Bliss.