Contemplation Sutra
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The Contemplation Sutra is one of the three major Buddhist sutras found within the Pure Land branch of Buddhism. It is considered the shortest of the three. The sutra begins with a story of a prince named Ajatashatru, who, in order to ascend the throne, murdered his father (King Bimbisara) and imprisoned his mother (Queen Vaidehiin). Buddha appears to Vaidehi in a vision and tells her how to obtain rebirth in a better world, the Pure Land or Western Paradise, through devotion to another Buddha named Amitabha. (In the Pure Land branch of Buddhism, it is believed that rebirth in the Pure Land hastens one's attainment of Nirvana.) The Buddha goes on to describe a series of thirteen contemplative exercises that will help one achieve such rebirth, and then describes the nine levels of rebirth in the Pure Land that are attained based on one's behavior in this world, among other factors.
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[edit] Basic Outline of the Sutra
[edit] Preliminary matters
After a brief preface, the sutra relates the story of the overthrow of King Bimbisara by his son Ajatashatru, followed by Queen Vaidehi's imprisonment. Shakyamuni's visit to Vaidehi is described, and Vaidehi says that she wishes to be born in Amida's Pure Land. Shakyamuni smiles, emitting light from his mouth, and goes on to tell Vaidehi how to be reborn in the Pure Land.
[edit] Attaining birth in the Pure Land
Shakyamuni explains the importance of performing certain meritorious acts in order to be reborn in the Pure Land. He then goes on to teach Vaidehi how to visualize the Pure Land, to further her efforts in attaining rebirth there. Shakyamuni describes thirteen "contemplations," or mental visualization exercises, that are to be followed in order. By deeply contemplating various aspects of the Pure Land and attempting to visualize them in detail, the aspirant draws closer to the Pure Land.
The thirteen contemplations are described in order as follows:
1) Contemplation of the setting sun
2) Contemplation of an expanse of water
3) Contemplation of the ground in the Pure Land
4) Contemplation of trees in the Pure Land
5) Contemplation of ponds in the Pure Land
6) Contemplation of various objects in the Pure Land
7) Contemplation of the lotus-throne of the Buddha
8) Contemplation of the image of Amida Buddha
9) Contemplation of Amida Buddha himself
10) Contemplation of Avalokiteshvara
11) Contemplation of Mahasthamaprapta
12) Contemplation of the aspirants to the Pure Land
13) Contemplation of Amida and two Bodhisattvas
[edit] Nine levels of birth
In the final part of the sutra, Shakyamuni discusses the nine levels into which those born into the Pure Land are categorized. The levels are ranked from highest to lowest as follows:
1) The highest level of the highest grade
2) The middle level of the highest grade
3) The lowest level of the highest grade
4) The highest level of the middle grade
5) The middle level of the middle grade
6) The lowest level of the middle grade
7) The highest level of the lowest grade
8) The middle level of the lowest grade
9) The lowest level of the lowest grade
[edit] Conclusion
The sutra ends with a short section describing the benefits gained by those who listened to these words of the Buddha. Vaidehi experienced "great awakening with clarity of mind and reached the insight into the non-arising of all dharmas," while her five hundred female attendants and "innumerable devas" also awakened aspiration for the highest enlightenment. Shakyamuni names the sutra, mentions benefits connected with the name of Amida Buddha, and exhorts all to hold the words of the sutra in their minds. Shakyamuni then returns through the air to the Vulture Peak.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- English translation of the Contemplation Sutra
- The Taima Mandala Image of the Pure Land from a medieval Japanese scroll, based on the descriptions found in the Contemplation Sutra. This site offers explanations in English of the various motifs of the scroll.
