Now what do you think, O _S_âriputra, for what reason is that Tathâgata called Amitâyus? The length of life (âyus), O _S_âriputra, of that Tathâgata and of those men there is immeasurable (amita). Therefore is that Tathâgata called Amitâyus. And ten Kalpas have passed, O _S_âriputra, since that Tathâgata awoke to perfect knowledge.
And what do you think, O _S_âriputra, for what reason is that Tathâgata called Amitâbhâs? The splendor (âbhâs), O _S_âriputra, of that Tathâgata is unimpeded over all Buddha-countries. Therefore is that Tathâgata called Amitâbhâs.
And there is, O _S_âriputra, an innumerable assembly of disciples with that Tathâgata, purified and venerable persons, whose number it is not easy to count. With such arrays of excellences, etc.
And again, O _S_âriputra, of those beings also who are born in the Buddha-country of the Tathâgata Amitâyus as purified Bodhisattvas, never to return again and bound by one birth only, of those Bodhisattvas also, O _S_âriputra, the number is not easy to count, except they are reckoned as infinite in number.(152)
Then again all beings, O _S_âriputra, ought to make fervent prayer for that Buddha-country. And why? Because they come together there with such excellent men. Beings are not born in that Buddha-country of the Tathâgata Amitâyus as a reward and result of good works performed in this present life.(153) No, whatever son or daughter of a family shall hear the name of the blessed Amitâyus, the Tathâgata, and having heard it, shall keep it in mind, and with thoughts undisturbed shall keep it in mind for one, two, three, four, five, six, or seven nights, that son or daughter of a family, when he or she comes to die, then that Amitâyus, the Tathâgata, surrounded by an assembly of disciples and followed by a host of Bodhisattvas, will stand before them at their hour of death, and they will depart this life with tranquil minds. After their death they will be born in the world Sukhavatî, in the Buddha-country of the same Amitâyus, the Tathâgata. Therefore, then, O _S_âriputra, having perceived this cause and effect,(154) I with reverence say thus, Every son and every daughter of a family ought to make with their whole mind fervent prayer for that Buddha-country.