Common Pure Land Questions

MERIT AND ITS TRANSFER. There are benefits to be derived from the non-attached practices of Wisdom and Compassion; these practices include the Buddhist Precepts which are guidelines for enlightened living. These benefits, or "merit," may be accumulated and subsequently transferred to any or all sentient beings for their benefit (transpersonal) or rededicated so as to transform it into a benefit for one's self (personal).

MERIT AND ITS TRANSFER. There are benefits to be derived from the non-attached practices of Wisdom and Compassion; these practices include the Buddhist Precepts which are guidelines for enlightened living. These benefits, or "merit," may be accumulated and subsequently transferred to any or all sentient beings for their benefit (transpersonal) or rededicated so as to transform it into a benefit for one's self (personal).

Buddhism spread to the north-east beyond the borders of its homeland India, and reached China in the early centuries A.D. and from there Korea and Japan. The form of Buddhism which was introduced into those countries and enjoyed popularity was predominantly Mahayana, the Great Vehicle.

The Bhikkhu Dharmakara devoted his thoughts to the teachings of the then Buddha, (Buddha Lokesvararadjna) for a period of five Kalpas, again he went to pay homage to the Buddha Lokesvararadjna and made forty-eight vows for the realization of his prospective country and said:

Wholeheartedly upkeep the Buddha chant The great Buddha names are above all Capable of relieve eighty thousand worldly sufferings Sentient beings should reform soon

This is an ASCII version of the Larger Sukhavati-Vyuha Sutra published in the Sacred Books of the East series, vol. XLIX, Clarendon Press, Oxford, England, 1894. The original edition is in the public domain

Thus I have heard, at one time the Buddha dwelt at Shravasti, in the Jeta Grove in the Garden of the Benefactor of Orphans and the Forlorn, together with a gathering of Great Bhikshus, twelve-hundred fifty in all, all Great Arhats well-known to the assembly: Elders Shariputra, Mahamaudgalyayana, Mahakasyapa, Mahakatyayana, Mahakausthila, Revata, Suddhipanthaka, Nanda, Ananda, Rahula, Gavampati, Pindola-Bharadvaja, Kalodayin, Mahakaphina, Vakkula, Aniruddha, and others such as these, all Great Disciples, together with all the Bodhisattvas, Mahasattvas: Manjushri, Prince of Dharma; Ajita Bodhisattva, Gandhastin Bodhisattva, Nityodukta Bodhisattva, and others such as these, all Great Bodhisattvas, and together with Shakra, Chief among Gods, and the numberless great multitudes from all the heavens.

The Bhikkhu Dharmakara devoted his thoughts to the teachings of the then Buddha, (Buddha Lokesvararadjna) for a period of five Kalpas, again he went to pay homage to the Buddha Lokesvararadjna and made forty-eight vows for the realization of his prospective country and said: