A verse about “most intimate through Amitabha-recitation” quoted in the “Praise of Dharma Practice”

Of Amitabha’s forty-eight great vows, the vow about name-recitation alone is most intimate.
When we think of Amitabha Buddha, Amitabha thinks of us; if we focus on Amitabha, Amitabha knows it.

A verse about “rebirth in the reward land through name-recitation”, quoted in the “Praise of Dharma Practice”

The Land of Bliss is a realm of unconditioned nirvana;
It is hard to be reborn there by practicing assorted virtues according to circumstances.
The Tathagata selects the key method –
He teaches us to recite Amitabha’s name with two-fold exclusivity.

A verse about “ascertained rebirth by Amitabha-recitation” in the “In Praise of the Rite of Rebirth”

The body of Amitabha is like a gold mountain.
His splendid marks in the form of light shine all over the worlds in the ten directions.
Only those who recite the name of Amitabha Buddha are embraced by his light.
One should know [Amitabha’s] Fundamental Vow is most powerful.

A verse about ‘seeking only Amitabha-reciters’ in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

Amitabha has 84,000 splendid forms, each of them is contained in his light, shining throughout all the worlds in the ten directions.
The light does not shine on those practicing under miscellaneous circumstances; but, seeks only those who recite Amitabha’s Name for rebirth.

A verse about ‘seeking only Amitabha-reciters’ in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

Each of the light beams illuminates continuously,
Only seeking and illuminating those who recite Amitabha’s Name for rebirth.
If you wish to compare it with all other Buddha-lands in the ten directions,
The Land of Bliss is actually the best for final settlement.

A verse about ‘Amitabha-recitation is unsurpassed’ in the ‘In praise of Dharma Practice’

The Tathagata incarnates himself in the world of Five Kinds of Turbidity,
For the sake of delivering sentient beings through his expedient teachings according to circumstances,
Sentient beings may be liberated by hearing many of his discourses, or
By hearing few; but, concentrating on attaining the Three Insights.
By cultivating wisdom and merits to eradicate the two karmic barriers, or
By engaging in practices of meditation and contemplation.
All the teachings will lead to emancipation,
However, none of them is better than the teaching of rebirth in the West through Amitabha-recitation,
Recite the Buddha-Name for a lifetime, as few as ten times, or
Even three or five times; and, upon your death the Buddha will come to receive you.
It is because Amitabha’s vows are so powerful and all encompassing,
That they enable ordinary beings to attain rebirth immediately through Amitabha-recitation.

A verse stating ‘not better than exclusive recitation’ from ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

All virtuous karma is dedicated to benefit the aspiration to rebirth,
But none is better than the exclusive recitation of Amitabha’s Name.
Every single name-recitation is an act of repentance
Because Amitabha purifies all those who recite his Name.

A verse about ‘Amitabha-recitation is the noblest’ quoted in ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

Even if a myriad of virtues are dedicated for rebirth,
The virtues of Amitabha-recitation are the foremost.
The power from assorted virtues is probably too weak to dedicate.
It cannot surpass reciting Amitabha’s Name for one to seven days.

A verse about ‘direct rebirth in Nirvana’, quoted in the ‘In praise of Dharma Practice’

Buddhas of the ten directions, as many as the sands of the Ganges, unfold their tongues
To encourage all ordinary beings to accept rebirth in the Land of Peace and Joy.
Amitabha Buddha dispatches 25 bodhisattvas
To come and protect us at all times.
Amitabha-reciters will directly enter the City of Nirvana at the end of their lives.
As their minds are simple and straightforward, and their practice is genuine,
Amitabha Buddha will come to welcome them.

A verse about ‘Amitabha Buddha appears upon Amitabha-recitation’, quoted in the ‘In praise of Dharma Practice’

While reciting Amitabha’s Name without interruption,
The manifested buddhas and bodhisattvas appear in front of us,
Or they offer us the lotus altar and receive us with welcoming hands.
When our lives come to their end, Amitabha Buddha will be there to receive us.

A verse about ‘right intention near the end-of-life’, quoted in the ‘In praise of Dharma Practice’

During the end of life, one who recites Amitabha’s Name with attention
Will see Amitabha’s light of loving-kindness shining on one’s body.
With recourse to the power of Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow,
One can enter the Treasure Hall within this single thought.

A verse about ‘earnest calling’ in the ‘In praise of Dharma Practice’

With his 48 vows, (Amitabha Buddha) earnestly calls to us,
And asks us to aspire to be reborn in the West, with reliance on the power of his Fundamental Vow.
Regardless of one’s karmic offenses, blessings, or the time spent in Amitabha-recitation,
We should sincerely recite Amitabha’s Name without any doubts.

A verse about ‘equality of the vow power’ in the ‘In praise of Dharma Practice’

The power of Amitabha’s vow is equal for all.
Whoever dedicates his merits and aspires to be reborn, will hold that flower in his hand.
He will be transported in the span of one thought to the joy of the Land of Bliss,
And he will ultimately live in a state of bliss with no danger of sliding back.

A verse about ‘anticipation till death.’ in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

We continue to recite Amitabha’s Name at all times of the day,
In twofold exclusivity until our life comes to its end.
Once we arrive in Amitabha’s Land of Joy and Peace,
We will be completely free, in the state of Nirvana.

A verse about ‘only if dedicate in mind’ in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

Don’t worry whether Amitabha embraces us or not,
It depends on whether we exclusively redirect our minds to focus on the Buddha.
Only if we resolve to redirect our minds toward the Buddha,
Will the floral canopy naturally come to receive us near the end-of-life.

A verse about ‘the Name as a sharp sword’ in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

The Name of Amitabha is a sharp sword.
All karmic offenses can be eradicated by one recitation [of Amitabha’s Name].
Those who slander the Dharma have no virtuous roots and commit the Ten Unwholesome Deeds,
All of those karmic offenses can be cleared if they redirect their minds to reciting Amitabha’s Name.

A verse about ‘urging sentient beings universally’ in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

Let me advise all sentient beings to take care of their threefold karma,
Recite Amitabha’s Name while walking, standing, sitting and lying down.
Never forgetting the possibility of suffering in hells,
Setting forth the augmentative mind of aspiration for rebirth
Vowing not to commit the karma that leads us to the Three Wretched Realms.
And not becoming attached to the karmic rewards of human and celestial joys.

A verse about ‘advising sentient beings universally’ in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

The Buddha advises all of those who have a karmic connection with the Pure Land teaching to always recite Amitabha’s Name.
They are the classmates of Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta.
Those who can recite Amitabha’s Name are superior among humankind.
As they aspire to be reborn within the family of all buddhas.

A verse about ‘all are qualified’ in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

Suddenly thinking of the joy in that land, no one should doubt.
All are qualified and included, and will be reborn there.

A verse about ‘with recourse to the Buddha’s vow power’ in the ‘In praise of Dharma Practice’

The Three Domains are different levels of existence within the burning house in which it is difficult to dwell.
It is better to be reborn in the West through recourse to the Buddha’s vow power.

A verse about ‘reaching enlightenment (Bodhi) together’ in the ‘In praise of Dharma Practice’

All sentient beings, including spirits, can be converted and delivered.
They can reach the State of Enlightenment, with the same cause and the same practice.

A verse about ‘entering nirvana’ in the ‘In Praise of Dharma Practice’

With dedication to being reborn in the Pure Land in every single thought
We will enter that door to Nirvana at the end of life.

A verse about ‘entering nirvana through nirvana’ in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

Amitabha-recitation is the gateway to Nirvana.