✨Section 1: The Story
The Great 48 Vows of Amitabha form the foundation of Pure Land Buddhism, offering a supreme promise of rebirth in a world beyond suffering. Long ago, before becoming Amitabha Buddha, the great Bodhisattva Dharmakara looked upon the deep suffering of beings in the Five Turbidities. Out of great compassion, he vowed to establish a Pure Land so peaceful, so luminous, and so free from defilement that any being—even in the depths of samsara—could reach it through sincere faith and aspiration. These vows are not just sacred commitments; they are miraculous lifelines. To merely hear of this Dharma is rare and precious, the result of immense virtue over countless lifetimes. To believe, accept, and practice it is to be among those with deep roots of goodness and fortune. For those trapped in pain, the Pure Land path is the swift and certain bridge to freedom.
🌿Section 2: The Teaching
Dharmakara Bodhisattva (法藏比丘) said:
"World-Honored One, I earnestly pray that you, in your great compassion, will listen and bear witness: If, after I attain supreme enlightenment and become a Buddha, the land I establish is not adorned with immeasurable, inconceivable virtues—if even a single one of these 48 Great Vows is not fulfilled—then I shall not attain perfect enlightenment."
🌍 The First Vows: Liberation from Evil Realms
1. 🛑 Vow of No Evil Realms in My Land
If, after I attain supreme enlightenment, my land contains hells, hungry ghosts, animals, or insects, I shall not attain perfect enlightenment.
2. 🔁 Vow That All Who Come Shall Never Fall Again
If sentient beings from any realm are reborn in my land and receive my Dharma teachings, they shall ultimately attain enlightenment and never again fall into lower realms.
✨ The Vows on Physical Appearance and Equality
3. 🌟 Vow That All Have Golden-Colored Bodies
All beings in my land shall have bodies the color of pure gold.
4. 🧑🦱 Vow of the Thirty-Two Marks
All shall possess the thirty-two marks of a great being.
5. 🤝 Vow of No Physical Differences
There shall be no distinctions of beauty or form among them.
🔮 The Vows of Supernatural Powers and Wisdom
6. 🕰️ Vow of Recalling Past Lives
Beings shall recall their past lives over countless eons.
7. 👁️ Vow of Clairvoyant Sight
They shall perceive all phenomena throughout the ten directions.
8. 👂 Vow of Clairvoyant Hearing
They shall hear and understand all sounds and teachings.
9. 💭 Vow of Knowing Others’ Minds
They shall fully know the thoughts of beings across countless lands.
10. ✈️ Vow of Supernatural Travel
They shall have complete freedom to travel through countless worlds.
11. 🎁 Vow of Making Offerings to All Buddhas
They shall be able to make offerings to Buddhas in all directions in a single instant.
🧘♀️ The Vows of Spiritual Realization
12. 🕊️ Vow That All Will Become Buddhas
All born in my land will ultimately achieve perfect enlightenment.
13. 🌞 Vow of Infinite Light
My light shall outshine all Buddhas and bring joy and virtue to all it touches.
14. 😊 Vow That My Light Brings Joy and Goodness
Beings touched by my light shall feel peace and give rise to kindness.
15. ♾️ Vow of Infinite Life
My life and the lives of all beings in my land shall be immeasurable.
16. 📿 Vow of Countless Hearers (Śrāvakas)
The number of sages in my land shall be beyond calculation.
17. 📣 Vow That All Buddhas Praise My Name
All Buddhas shall proclaim my virtues and praise my land.
🔔 The Vows of Name, Faith, and Rebirth
18. 🔟 Vow That Ten Recitations Ensure Rebirth
Those who hear my name, rejoice, dedicate merit, and recite it even ten times shall be born in my land—unless they slander the Dharma or commit the five gravest offenses.
19. ❤️ Vow of Aspiring to Enlightenment Upon Hearing the Name
Those who hear my name, give rise to Bodhi Mind, and cultivate the Six Perfections shall be born in my land and reach the stage of non-retrogression.
20. 🌈 Vow to Personally Welcome the Dying
At death, I will appear with Bodhisattvas to guide the faithful into my land.
21. 🙏 Vow of Rebirth After Repentance
Even those with grave past evils shall be born in my land if they repent, uphold the teachings, and aspire to be reborn.
👩🍼 The Vows on Gender and Birth
22. 🚫 Vow That There Are No Women in My Land
No women shall exist in my Buddha-land.
23. 🔄 Vow That Women Will Transform Upon Rebirth
Women who aspire to be born in my land shall be transformed into male bodies upon arrival.
24. 🌸 Vow That All Are Born from Lotus Flowers
All beings in my land shall be born from lotus blossoms in pools of seven treasures.
💎 The Vows of Honor, Virtue, and Right Conduct
25. 🙇 Vow That Devas and Humans Revere the Faithful
Those who hear my name and practice virtue shall be honored by gods and humans.
26. 🎉 Vow That Hearing the Name Brings Blessings
Hearing my name will bring birth into noble families and perfect faculties.
27. 🌼 Vow That the Faithful Will Practice Supreme Conduct
All shall uphold pure conduct and practice the highest virtue.
28. 🧹 Vow That No Evil Words Exist in My Land
No evil speech or unwholesome words shall exist in my land.
29. 🧘 Vow That All Abide in Right Concentration
All shall abide in correct meditative absorption.
30. 😌 Vow That Joy Equals That of the Arhat
Beings shall feel joy equal to that of those who have ended all afflictions.
31. 💔 Vow of No Attachment to the Body
No one shall cling to bodily form or develop selfish attachment.
🪷 The Vows of Power, Eloquence, and Insight
32. 💪 Vow of Vajra-Like Bodies
Beings shall possess indestructible, diamond-like bodies.
33. ✨ Vow of Radiant Wisdom and Eloquence
They shall radiate light, wisdom, and perfect eloquence.
34. 🗣️ Vow of Skillful Teaching of the Dharma
They shall explain the profound teachings with ease and clarity.
🌠 The Vows of Fulfillment and Non-Retrogression
35. 🛤️ Vow of Attaining Buddhahood After One Life
All shall reach the stage just before Buddhahood (one life remaining), unless they vow to return and help others.
36. 🌍 Vow of Freedom to Teach According to Will
Even in other worlds, they shall remain free of evil paths and fulfill all practices as they wish.
37. 🍽️ Vow That All Needs Are Instantly Met
Clothing, food, and offerings shall appear immediately upon wish.
38. 🙌 Vow That Buddhas Will Accept Offerings
Buddhas in the ten directions shall accept offerings made by beings in my land.
🌈 The Vows of Inconceivable Beauty and Vision
39. 🎨 Vow of Infinite and Incomparable Beauty
All objects in my land shall be of extraordinary beauty, beyond all description.
40. 🌳 Vow of Immeasurable Jeweled Trees
Trees in my land shall reach immense heights and brilliance.
41. 🪞 Vow That All Buddha-Lands Appear Within Trees
Within the trees, all Buddha-lands shall be reflected like mirrors.
42. 🔭 Vow That the Land Reflects the Ten Directions
The ground shall be like a mirror reflecting all worlds in every direction.
43. 🌸 Vow That Fragrance Permeates All Worlds
All things shall emit precious fragrance that fills the worlds, inspiring beings to practice.
🧠 The Vows of Samadhi, Dharani, and Non-Retrogression
44. 🧘♂️ Vow of Attaining Samadhi and Dharani
Bodhisattvas who hear my name shall attain deep samadhi, liberation, and memory power.
45. 🛕 Vow of Offering to Buddhas While in Samadhi
Even while in samadhi, they shall offer to Buddhas without distraction.
46. 📚 Vow That All Attain Dharani Upon Hearing My Name
They shall gain unshakable wisdom and recitation power.
47. 🧎♂️ Vow That All Gain Patience Upon Hearing My Name
They shall achieve deep forbearance and clarity in Dharma.
48. 🚀 Vow of Irreversible Progress
They shall never turn back from the path to enlightenment.
These forty-eight vows made by Dharmakara Bodhisattva reveal the boundless compassion and wisdom that gave rise to Amitabha Buddha and his Pure Land.
💡Section 3: The Reflection
In this degenerate age of the Five Turbidities, where suffering, delusion, and karmic obstacles pervade every aspect of life, Amitabha Buddha—out of boundless compassion—made 48 Great Vows to establish a Pure Land beyond all suffering. These vows are not mere aspirations; they are powerful and inconceivable means to liberate beings from the endless cycle of birth and death.
Among all Dharma doors, the Pure Land path is the swiftest and most accessible—yet those who even hear of it are rare. To encounter these teachings means we have accumulated immense merit and virtuous karma over countless lifetimes. To believe in them, to accept and uphold them, is a mark of especially deep spiritual roots.
Amitabha’s supreme promises are a direct response to the cries of suffering beings. They offer a fast and assured path out of the six realms of samsara. Rebirth in the Land of Ultimate Bliss is no longer a distant ideal—it becomes possible for ordinary people like us, right here and now.
Since Amitabha Buddha has already been a Buddha for five great kalpas, every one of his 48 vows has been completely fulfilled. We must trust that every word he speaks is truth—his vows are not symbolic or theoretical, but real and effective. Faith in Amitabha’s words is faith in our liberation.
Let us treasure this inconceivable Dharma, plant the causes for rebirth in the Pure Land, and chant “Amituofo” with unwavering faith.
📜Section 4: Original Chinese Text | 发大誓愿第六
法藏白言：唯愿世尊，大慈听察。
我若证得无上菩提，成正觉已，所居佛刹，具足无量不可思议功德庄严。无有地狱、饿鬼、禽兽、蜎飞蠕动之类。所有一切众生，以及焰摩罗界，三恶道中，来生我刹，受我法化，悉成阿耨多罗三藐三菩提，不复更堕恶趣。得是愿，乃作佛。不得是愿，不取无上正觉。一、国无恶道愿。二、不堕恶趣愿。
我作佛时，十方世界，所有众生，令生我刹，皆具紫磨真金色身;三十二种大丈夫相;端正净洁，悉同一类。若形貌差别，有好丑者，不取正觉。三、身悉金色愿。四、三十二相愿。五、身无差别愿。
我作佛时，所有众生，生我国者，自知无量劫时宿命。所作善恶，皆能洞视，彻听，知十方去来现在之事。不得是愿，不取正觉。六、宿命通愿。七、天眼通愿。八、天耳通愿。
我作佛时，所有众生，生我国者，皆得他心智通。若不悉知亿那由他百千佛刹，众生心念者，不取正觉。九、他心通愿。
我作佛时，所有众生，生我国者，皆得神通自在，波罗蜜多。于一念顷，不能超过亿那由他百千佛刹，周遍巡历，供养诸佛者，不取正觉。十、神足通愿。十一、遍供诸佛愿。
我作佛时，所有众生，生我国者，远离分别，诸根寂静。若不决定成等正觉，证大涅槃者，不取正觉。十二、定成正觉愿。
我作佛时，光明无量，普照十方，绝胜诸佛，胜于日月之明千万亿倍。若有众生，见我光明，照触其身，莫不安乐，慈心作善，来生我国。若不尔者，不取正觉。十三、光明无量愿。十四、触光安乐愿。
我作佛时，寿命无量，国中声闻天人无数，寿命亦皆无量。假令三千大千世界众生，悉成缘觉，于百千劫，悉共计校，若能知其量数者，不取正觉。十五、寿命无量愿。十六、声闻无数愿。
我作佛时，十方世界无量刹中，无数诸佛，若不共称叹我名，说我功德国土之善者，不取正觉。十七、诸佛称叹愿。
我作佛时，十方众生，闻我名号，至心信乐。所有善根，心心回向，愿生我国。乃至十念，若不生者，不取正觉。唯除五逆，诽谤正法。十八、十念必生愿。
我作佛时，十方众生，闻我名号，发菩提心，修诸功德，奉行六波罗蜜，坚固不退。复以善根回向，愿生我国。一心念我，昼夜不断。临寿终时，我与诸菩萨众迎现其前。经须臾间，即生我刹，作阿惟越致菩萨。不得是愿，不取正觉。十九、闻名发心愿。二十、临终接引愿。
我作佛时，十方众生，闻我名号，系念我国，发菩提心，坚固不退。植众德本，至心回向，欲生极乐，无不遂者。若有宿恶，闻我名字，即自悔过，为道作善，便持经戒，愿生我刹，命终不复更三恶道，即生我国。若不尔者，不取正觉。二十一、悔过得生愿。
我作佛时，国无妇女。若有女人，闻我名字，得清净信，发菩提心，厌患女身，愿生我国。命终即化男子，来我刹土。十方世界诸众生类，生我国者，皆于七宝池莲华中化生。若不尔者，不取正觉。二十二、国无女人愿。二十三、厌女转男愿。二十四、莲华化生愿。
我作佛时，十方众生，闻我名字，欢喜信乐，礼拜归命。以清净心，修菩萨行。诸天世人，莫不致敬。若闻我名，寿终之后，生尊贵家，诸根无缺。常修殊胜梵行。若不尔者，不取正觉。二十五、天人礼敬愿。二十六、闻名得福愿。二十七、修殊胜行愿。
我作佛时，国中无不善名。所有众生，生我国者，皆同一心，住于定聚。永离热恼，心得清凉。所受快乐，犹如漏尽比丘。若起想念，贪计身者，不取正觉。二十八、国无不善愿。二十九、住正定聚愿。三十、乐如漏尽愿。
三十一、不贪计身愿。
我作佛时，生我国者，善根无量，皆得金刚那罗延身，坚固之力。身顶皆有光明照耀。成就一切智慧。获得无边辩才。善谈诸法秘要。说经行道，语如钟声。若不尔者，不取正觉。三十二、那罗延身愿。三十三、光明慧辩愿。三十四、善谈法要愿。
我作佛时，所有众生，生我国者，究竟必至一生补处。除其本愿，为众生故，被弘誓铠，教化一切有情，皆发信心，修菩提行，行普贤道。虽生他方世界，永离恶趣。或乐说法，或乐听法，或现神足，随意修习，无不圆满。若不尔者，不取正觉。三十五、一生补处愿。三十六、教化随意愿。
我作佛时，生我国者，所须饮食、衣服、种种供具，随意即至，无不满愿。十方诸佛，应念受其供养。若不尔者，不取正觉。三十七、衣食自至愿。三十八、应念受供愿。
我作佛时，国中万物，严净、光丽，形色殊特。穷微极妙,无能称量。其诸众生，虽具天眼，有能辨其形色、光相、名数，及总宣说者，不取正觉。三十九、庄严无尽愿。
我作佛时，国中无量色树，高或百千由旬。道场树高，四百万里。诸菩萨中，虽有善根劣者，亦能了知。欲见诸佛净国庄严，悉于宝树间见。犹如明镜，睹其面像。若不尔者，不取正觉。四十、无量色树愿。四十一、树现佛刹愿。
我作佛时，所居佛刹，广博严净，光莹如镜，彻照十方无量无数不可思议诸佛世界。众生睹者，生希有心。若不尔者，不取正觉。四十二、彻照十方愿。
我作佛时，下从地际，上至虚空，宫殿楼观，池流华树，国土所有一切万物，皆以无量宝香合成。其香普熏十方世界。众生闻者，皆修佛行。若不尔者，不取正觉。四十三、宝香普熏愿。
我作佛时，十方佛刹诸菩萨众，闻我名已，皆悉逮得清净解脱、普等三昧，诸深总持。住三摩地，至于成佛。定中常供无量无边一切诸佛，不失定意。若不尔者，不取正觉。四十四、普等三昧愿。四十五、定中供佛愿。
我作佛时，他方世界诸菩萨众，闻我名者，证离生法，获陀罗尼。清净欢喜，得平等住。修菩萨行，具足德本。应时不获一二三忍。于诸佛法，不能现证不退转者，不取正觉。四十六、获陀罗尼愿。四十七、闻名得忍愿。四十八、现证不退愿。
🙏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.