✨Section 1: The Story
High atop the sacred Vulture Peak, a stillness blanketed the land as the Buddha sat in perfect composure. Word of his presence had spread not through messengers, but through the silent pull of awakened hearts. From all directions, they came—twelve thousand great monks, each having walked the long path to liberation. They were not ordinary disciples. These were the saints, the Arhats, those who had broken free from the chains of birth and death.
Beside them stood radiant Bodhisattvas, their vows spanning eons. Samantabhadra, Manjushri, Maitreya—names spoken with awe across worlds—had joined the assembly. From distant realms and countless past lives, they had arrived to hear what was to be spoken.
It was a moment unlike any other—a gathering of past, present, and future Buddhas, a harmony of wisdom, compassion, and supernatural power. What teaching could summon such an assembly?
This was the beginning of a great revelation—the unfolding of the Infinite Life Sutra.
🌿Section 2: The Teaching
📜 Introduction: “This is what I heard”
At one time, the Buddha was residing at Vulture Peak Mountain (耆阇崛山) in Rajagriha (王舍城), accompanied by a large assembly of 12,000 great monks (大比丘众).
🙏 The Enlightened Disciples Present
All of these monks were great saints who had fully attained supernatural abilities and spiritual insight. The most notable among them included:
- Venerable Kaundinya (憍陈如) – The first disciple to realize enlightenment after hearing the Buddha’s first sermon.
- Venerable Shariputra (舍利弗) – Known for his supreme wisdom.
- Venerable Mahamaudgalyayana (大目犍连) – Famous for his powerful supernatural abilities.
- Venerable Mahakasyapa (迦叶) – Renowned for his ascetic practices and leadership of the monastic community.
- Venerable Ananda (阿难) – Known for his extraordinary memory and being the Buddha’s personal attendant.
🌟 The Great Bodhisattvas in Attendance
In addition to the great disciples, many Bodhisattvas—beings dedicated to attaining enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings—also gathered. Among them were:
- Samantabhadra Bodhisattva (普贤菩萨) – Representing the power of virtuous actions and vows.
- Manjushri Bodhisattva (文殊师利菩萨) – Symbolizing supreme wisdom.
- Maitreya Bodhisattva (弥勒菩萨) – The future Buddha, destined to bring enlightenment to the world in the next era.
- All Bodhisattvas from the Age of Virtuous Eons (贤劫)—a cosmic period blessed with countless Buddhas—also assembled.
💡Section 3: The Reflection
A Historic Assembly
This gathering was not just any ordinary event—it was a momentous assembly of enlightened beings, Bodhisattvas, and future Buddhas, setting the stage for profound teachings.
Unity of Wisdom and Compassion
The presence of disciples representing wisdom, compassion, supernatural abilities, and discipline reflects the balanced qualities needed on the path to enlightenment.
The Significance of Being Present
Gathering in such a sacred space symbolizes the importance of being in the right place at the right time to receive and share wisdom.
🌿 Reflection for Modern Practice
- Who is in your spiritual community? Surround yourself with those who inspire you to grow spiritually.
- Are you prepared to listen? Just like the attendees who gathered with open hearts, cultivate a mindset ready to absorb wisdom.
- How can you embody both wisdom and compassion? Reflect on how you can integrate these values into your daily actions.
🌟 “Gather where wisdom is shared, and let every teaching plant the seed of enlightenment within your heart.” 🙏
📜Section 4: Original Chinese Text | 法会圣众第一
如是我闻：
一时佛在王舍城耆阇崛山中，与大比丘众万二千人俱。
一切大圣，神通已达。
其名曰：尊者憍陈如、尊者舍利弗、尊者大目犍连、尊者迦叶、尊者阿难等，而为上首;
又有普贤菩萨、文殊师利菩萨、弥勒菩萨，及贤劫中一切菩萨，皆来集会。
🙏Section 5: Nianfo & Dedication of Merit
Let us now gently chant together:
Amituofo, Amituofo, Amituofo… (repeat with mindfulness)
Dedication of Merit (回向)
May the merit from this reading benefit all beings.
May suffering be eased, faith awakened, and peace arise in every heart.
May all be reborn in Amitabha’s Pure Land.
Amituofo.