✨Section 1: The Story
The diligent practice of Dharmakara began not with action, but with humility. After making his initial vow to create a Pure Land unlike any other, Bhikkhu Dharmakara stood before the Buddha with great sincerity. But this time, he asked for something more than approval—he sought guidance.
With a heart already awakened to the suffering of all beings, he now longed to understand how to manifest a land of ultimate peace and liberation. He requested the Buddha to reveal the countless Buddha-lands across the universe, so he could contemplate and envision a realm surpassing them all.
What followed was a teaching that spanned a thousand billion years. Dharmakara listened with unwavering focus. He reflected deeply, practiced with tireless effort, and refined his great vow over five immeasurable kalpas. In that time, his heart never wavered.
Through pure humility, deep wisdom, and steadfast diligence, Dharmakara laid the foundation for what would become the Pure Land—built not from fantasy, but from compassion, clarity, and the power of a vow that never retreats.
🌿Section 2: The Teaching
🙏 The Awakening of Supreme Resolve
After making his initial vows, Bhikkhu Dharmākara addressed the Buddha with great sincerity:
“I have now embarked on the path of the Bodhisattva, and I have awakened the supreme aspiration for perfect enlightenment. I vow to become a Buddha and lead all beings to attain Buddhahood, just as you have. I humbly ask the Buddha to expound upon the Dharma for me. I will uphold these teachings, practice diligently, and remove the very root of suffering—liberating sentient beings from the endless cycle of birth and death. May I swiftly achieve supreme enlightenment.”
“When I become a Buddha, may my wisdom shine brightly, and may my pure land be radiant and magnificent. Let my name be known across the ten directions, and may all beings—humans, celestial beings, and even the smallest of creatures—be reborn in my land and become Bodhisattvas. This is my great vow, surpassing countless other Buddha-lands. May I be granted this wish?”
💡 The Buddha’s Response: The Power of Unwavering Effort
The World-Honored Buddha of Sovereign Freedom responded to Dharmākara’s vow with compassion and profound insight:
“Consider this: Just as one could eventually measure the vastness of the great ocean drop by drop, so too can someone who seeks the Way with a pure and determined heart, tirelessly practicing without pause, surely attain their goal in due time. There is no wish that cannot be fulfilled.”
“Reflect carefully, Dharmākara, on what methods will help you cultivate a pure and adorned Buddha-land. Your practice must be grounded in wisdom, and the creation of your Buddha-land must arise from your own understanding and dedication.”
🌌 Dharmākara’s Humility and Determination
Hearing this, Dharmākara humbly replied:
“This profound truth is beyond my current understanding. I beseech the Tathagata, with your all-knowing wisdom, to reveal the countless magnificent Buddha-lands. If I am fortunate enough to hear such teachings, I will reflect deeply, cultivate diligently, and vow to fulfill all my aspirations.”
Recognizing Dharmākara’s sincerity and deep resolve, the Buddha of Sovereign Freedom revealed to him the grandeur and purity of two hundred and ten billion Buddha-lands. These lands were radiant, pure, and adorned with boundless virtues—each reflecting the enlightened aspirations of countless Buddhas.
This profound teaching spanned a thousand billion years.
🌠 The Formation of Dharmākara’s Supreme Vows
Upon hearing the Buddha’s descriptions, Dharmākara experienced a profound awakening. Filled with inspiration and determination, he made the highest and most extraordinary vows.
He reflected deeply on the nature of good and evil, the purity and impurity of different realms, and the ultimate perfection of Buddha-lands. With a focused and unwavering heart, he chose his ideal vision and solidified his great vow.
He pursued his practice with diligence and devotion,
Preserving his aspirations with utmost care,
Cultivating virtues and fulfilling his vows through five great kalpas of effort.
🔮 Creating the Pure Land: A Manifestation of Compassion
After fully understanding the virtues of these two hundred and ten billion Buddha-lands, Dharmākara comprehended their magnificence with absolute clarity—almost as if he had experienced the perfection of a Buddha-land himself.
He surpassed the splendor of all other Buddha-realms and, having completed his vision, returned to the Buddha of Sovereign Freedom. Bowing deeply, circling the Buddha three times with reverence, he spoke:
“World-Honored One, I have now successfully envisioned and established a magnificent Buddha-land adorned with supreme virtues. My practices are pure, and my aspirations have been fulfilled.”
🎉 The Buddha’s Affirmation: A Time for Rejoicing
The Buddha of Sovereign Freedom responded joyfully:
“Excellent! This is the perfect time for you to share your great vows so that all beings may rejoice. Let them hear your profound aspirations and receive great blessings from this teaching.”
“Those who hear of your vows will find inspiration. They will cultivate merit, uphold the Dharma, and fulfill immeasurable great vows in their own paths toward enlightenment.”
💡Section 3: The Reflection - A Journey of Unwavering Diligence
This chapter reveals the extraordinary determination of Dharmākara Bodhisattva, whose unwavering diligence and vast compassion led him to envision the creation of the Pure Land. His journey reminds us that the path to enlightenment requires not only deep reflection and humility but also unyielding effort and devotion.
The story of Dharmākara’s supreme vow stands as a shining beacon for all who seek liberation:
🌟 True enlightenment arises from a heart of compassion, an unwavering vow, and tireless perseverance.
📜Section 4: Original Chinese Text | 至心精进第五
法藏比丘说此偈已，而白佛言：我今为菩萨道，已发无上正觉之心，取愿作佛，悉令如佛。愿佛为我广宣经法。我当奉持，如法修行。拔诸勤苦生死根本，速成无上正等正觉。欲令我作佛时，智慧光明，所居国土，教授名字，皆闻十方。诸天人民及蜎蠕类，来生我国，悉作菩萨。我立是愿，都胜无数诸佛国者，宁可得否?
世间自在王佛，即为法藏而说经言：譬如大海一人斗量，经历劫数尚可穷底。人有至心求道，精进不止，会当克果，何愿不得。汝自思惟，修何方便，而能成就佛刹庄严。如所修行，汝自当知。清净佛国，汝应自摄。法藏白言：斯义宏深，非我境界。惟愿如来应正遍知，广演诸佛无量妙刹。若我得闻，如是等法，思惟修习，誓满所愿。
世间自在王佛知其高明，志愿深广，即为宣说二百一十亿诸佛刹土，功德严净、广大圆满之相，应其心愿悉现与之。说是法时，经千亿岁。尔时法藏闻佛所说，皆悉睹见，起发无上殊胜之愿。于彼天人善恶，国土粗妙，思惟究竟。便一其心，选择所欲，结得大愿，精勤求索，恭慎保持。修习功德满足五劫。于彼二十一俱胝佛土，功德庄严之事，明了通达，如一佛刹。所摄佛国，超过于彼。
即摄受已，复诣世自在王如来所，稽首礼足，绕佛三匝，合掌而住。白言世尊：我已成就庄严佛土，清净之行。佛言善哉!今正是时。汝应具说，令众欢喜。亦令大众，闻是法已，得大善利。能于佛刹，修习摄受，满足无量大愿。
🙏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.