The Twelve Adorations of Amida Buddha by Bodhisattva Nāgārjuna
Tibetan Buddhist Encyclopedia is now 14 years old
Our Encyclopedia recently received a wonderful opportunity for a major renewal on its 14th birthday . After many years of growing our Encyclopedia had become bit slow and sometimes even decided not to answer when people knocked on the door.
A very big thank you and blessings to Dmytro Rudiy (rudiy.nl) for his great work in upgrading the server, website and all of the infrastructure and helping make TBE fast and reliable again for everyone!
We kindly ask our readers to help us cover the cost of this important upgrade and also help with the ongoing costs of keeping the Encyclopedia alive and freely available.
or card
Every little donation helps and every one is deeply appreciated. 🙏🙏🙏
OM AH HUM VAJRA GURU PADMA SIDDHI HUM 🙏🙏🙏
May blessings shower down on all of yous 🙏🙏🙏
The Twelve Adorations of Amida Buddha
by Bodhisattva Nāgārjuna
The Twelve Adorations of Amida Buddha was written by Bodhisattva Nagarjuna (c. 2nd –3rd CE), the first of the Seven Patriarchs of Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism. It expresses eloquently the depth of Nagarjuna’s gratitude to Amida Buddha, whom he regards and venerates as a true and real Buddha.
1.
Before Amida Buddha, whom Devas and men worship,
I humble myself in deepest reverence.
In His wondrous Land of Bliss
Surrounded is He by countless Bodhisattvas.
2.
His golden form shines forth pure, like the King of Mount Śumeru;
His practice of Truth is steadfast, like an elephant’s pace;
His eyes radiate like pure blue lotus blossoms.
Thus I prostrate myself before Amida Buddha.
3.
His countenance is perfectly pure and round, like the full moon;
His majestic light shines like a thousand suns and moons;
His voice is like a heavenly drum, yet like a heavenly bird (Kokila).
Thus I prostrate myself before Amida Buddha.
4.
Avalokiteśvara wears upon his crown,
The image of Amida adorned with many precious jewels:
He subdues the arrogance of demons and heretics,
Thus I prostrate myself before Amida Buddha.
5.
Incomparable, vast and pure His Virtues are,
Clearly extending like vast open space,
His acts freely benefiting all.
Thus I prostrate myself before Amida Buddha.
6.
Bodhisattvas from the ten quarters
And countless māras always venerate Him.
He dwells with Vow-power for the sake of all beings.
Thus I prostrate myself before Amida Buddha.
7.
In the Golden treasure pond where the lotus flowers bloom,
Established with goodness is a wondrous throne
Where reigns the Lord, like the King of Mount Śumeru.
Thus I prostrate myself before Amida Buddha.
8.
From the ten quarters Bodhisattvas come.
Revealing wondrous powers, they attain a blissful state;
Honouring His face, they offer eternal homage.
Thus I prostrate myself before Amida Buddha.
9.
All things are transient and without self
Like the moon on water, lightning, shadow, or dew.
“The Dharma transcends words,” the Buddha proclaimed.
Thus I prostrate myself before Amida Buddha.
10.
There exist no evil names in His Land,
Nor beings in the female form, nor fear of evil realms.
With sincere heart all beings worship Him.
Thus I prostrate myself before Amida Buddha.
11.
His Land of infinite expediencies
Is without degenerate things or wicked beings;
Upon Rebirth, Non-Retrogressive Bodhi does one attain.
Thus I prostrate myself before Amida Buddha.
12.
Thus have I praised the Virtues of Amida.
Boundless are they like the water of the sea.
Upon receiving these pure and good qualities
May all beings be reborn into his Land.