translated from Chinese by Hisao Inagaki

佛告阿难，及韦提希：上品上生者，若有众生，愿生彼国者，发三种心，即便往生。何等为三？
The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, "Those born in the Western Land are of nine grades. Those who attain birth on the highest level of the highest grade are sentient beings who resolve to be born in that land, awaken the three kinds of faith and so are born there. What are the three?

一者，至诚心；
二者，深心；
三者，回向发愿心。
具三心者，必生彼国。They are, first, the sincere faith; second, the deep faith; and third, the faith that seeks birth there by transferring one's merit. Those who have these three kinds of faith will certainly be born there.

复有三种众生，当得往生，何等为三？
一者，慈心不杀，具诸戒行；
二者，读诵大乘方等经典；
三者，修行六念，回向发愿，愿生彼国。具此功德者，一日乃至七日，即得往生。
"There are three other kinds of sentient beings who also attain birth. Who are the three? They are, first, those who have a compassionate heart, abstain from killing and observe the precepts; second, those who chant the Mahayana sutras of greater scope; and third, those who practice the six forms of mindfulness. They aspire to be born in that Buddha-land by transferring there the merit of practice. With the merit acquired from doing these acts for one to seven days, they attain birth.

生彼国时，此人精进勇猛故，阿弥陀如来与观世音、大势至，无数化佛，百千比丘，声闻大众，无量诸天，七宝宫殿，观世音菩萨执金刚台，与大势至菩萨，至行者前，阿弥陀佛放大光明，照行者身，与诸菩萨授手迎接。
"When an aspirant is about to be born in that land through dedicated and undaunted practices, the Tathagata Amitayus arrives together with Avalokiteshvara, Mahasthamaprapta, innumerable transformed Buddhas, a great assembly of a hundred thousand monks and shravakas and innumerable devas in seven-jewelled palaces. The Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, carrying a vajra-seat, together with the Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta, approaches the aspirant. Amitayus releases a great flood of light which illuminates the aspirant's body and, along with the bodhisattvas, extends his hands in welcome.

观世音、大势至与无数菩萨，赞叹行者，劝进其心。行者见已，欢喜踊跃，自见其身，乘金刚台，随从佛后，如弹指顷，往生彼国。生彼国已，见佛色身，众相聚具足，见诸菩萨色相具足，光明宝林，演说妙法，
Avalokiteshvara and Mahasthamaprapta, together with innumerable bodhisattvas, praise and encourage the aspirant. Seeing this, the aspirant rejoices so greatly as to dance. Then he sees himself sitting on the vajra-seat, and following the Buddha, is born into that land in the time it takes to snap one's fingers.
"After being born in that land, he sees the Buddha's body complete with all its physical characteristics and also the bodies of the bodhisattvas equally complete with all their physical characteristics.

闻已，即无生法忍，经须臾间，历事诸佛，偏十方界，於诸佛前，次第受记。还至本国，得无量百千陀罗尼门，是名上品上生者。
Hearing the discourse on the wonderful Dharma sent forth by the light and the jewelled trees, he then reaches the insight into the non-arising of all dharmas. In a single moment, he visits and worships all the Buddhas of the ten quarters and receives from each of them the prediction of his future Buddhahood. Returning to the Pure Land, he is endowed with innumerable hundreds of thousands of dharanis. Such a person is called one who attains birth on the highest level of the highest grade.

上品中生者，不必受持读诵方等经典，善解义趣，於第一义，心不惊动，深信因果，不谤大乘，以此功德，回向愿求生极乐国，行此行者，命欲终时，阿弥陀佛，与观世音、大势至、无量大众，眷属围绕，时紫金台，至行者前，赞言：法子！汝行大乘，解第一义，是故我今来迎接汝，与千化佛，一时授手，行者自见坐紫金台，合掌叉手，赞叹诸佛，如一念顷，即生彼国七宝池中。

2) the middle level of the highest grade

[23] "Those who attain birth on the middle level of the highest grade, do not necessarily uphold and chant the sutras of greater scope, but comprehend the teachings of the Buddha so well that when they hear the supreme truths, they are not dismayed. They have deep faith in the law of karmic causes and effects and do not speak slightingly of the Mahayana. They transfer the merit acquired to the Land of Utmost Bliss, aspiring to be born there.
"When such an aspirant is about to die, Amitayus appears before him, surrounded by Avalokiteshvara, Mahasthamaprapta and innumerable sages and attendants, carrying a purple-gold lotus-seat. The Buddha praises him, saying, 'Son of the Dharma, because you have practiced the Mahayana and appreciate the supreme truths, I have come to welcome you.' So saying, he and a thousand transformed Buddhas extend their hands all at once towards the aspirant, who, seeing himself sitting on the purple-gold seat, joins his palms and praises the Buddhas. In an instant, he is born in a seven-jewelled pond of that land.

此紫金台，如大宝华，经宿则开，行者作紫磨金色，足下亦有七宝莲华，佛及菩萨，俱时放光，照行者身，目即开明，因前宿习，普闻众声，纯说甚深第一义谛。
"The purple-gold seat has become like a great jewelled flower, which opens after one night. The body of the aspirant has become the color of purple-gold, and beneath his feet are seven-jewelled lotus-flowers. The Buddha and bodhisattvas together release a flood of light which illuminates the aspirant's body. His eyes open, and because of the store of merit from his previous life, he hears voices everywhere expounding only the most profound and supreme truths.

即下金台，礼佛合掌，赞叹世尊，经於七日，应时即得阿耨多罗三藐三菩提，得不退转；应时即能飞行偏至十方，历事诸佛。於诸佛所，修诸三昧，经一小劫，得无生忍，现前授记，是名上品中生者。
Descending from his golden seat, he bows with joined palms and praises the Buddha, the World-Honored One. After seven days, he immediately reaches the Stage of Non-retrogression for realizing the highest, perfect Enlightenment. He is also able to fly in the ten quarters, as he wishes, to revere all the Buddhas and learn various samadhis from them. After the lapse of a smaller kalpa, he attains the insight into the non-arising of all dharmas and receives from each Buddha the prediction of his future Buddhahood. Such a person is called one who attains birth on the middle level of the highest grade.

3) the lowest level of the highest grade

上品下生者，亦信因果，不谤大乘。但发无上道心，以此功德，回向愿求生极乐国。行者命欲终时，阿弥陀佛，及观世音、大势至，与诸菩萨，持金莲华，化作五百佛，来迎此人。
"Those who attain birth on the lowest level of the highest grade likewise accept the law of karmic causes and effects, do not speak slightingly of the Mahayana and awaken aspiration for the highest Enlightenment. They transfer the merit acquired to the Land of Utmost Bliss, aspiring to be born there.
"When such an aspirant is about to die, Amitayus, together with Avalokiteshvara, Mahasthamaprapta and a host of attendants, come to welcome him, bringing a golden lotus-flower and manifesting five hundred transformed Buddhas.

五百化佛，一时授手，赞言：法子！汝今清净，发无上道心，我来迎汝。
Those transformed Buddhas extend their hands all at once and praise the aspirant, saying, 'Son of the Dharma, since you have awakened pure aspiration for the highest Enlightenment, we have come to welcome you.'

见此事时，即见自身坐金莲华，坐已华合，随世尊后，即得往生七宝池中。一日一夜，莲华乃开，七日之中，乃得见佛，虽见佛身，於众相好，心不明了，於三七日后，乃了了见。闻众音声，皆演妙法，游历十方，无养诸佛，於诸佛前，闻甚深法。

"When he has viewed all this, the aspirant finds himself seated upon a golden lotus-flower, which then closes. Following the World-Honored One, he immediately attains birth on a seven-jewelled pond. After a day and night, the lotus-flower opens and, within seven days, the aspirant beholds the Buddha. Although he sees the Buddha's body, he is still unable to discern his physical characteristics and marks clearly. But after three weeks he sees them distinctly, and also hears all the sounds and voices proclaiming the wonderful Dharma. Then he can travel in all the ten quarters to make offerings to the Buddhas and hear their profound teachings.

经三小劫，得百法明门，住欢喜地，是名上品下生者。是名上辈生想，名第十四观。
After three smaller kalpas he acquires clear understanding of the one hundred dharmas and dwells in the Stage of Joy. Such a person is called one who attains birth on the lowest level of the highest grade. These three together are known as the contemplation of the highest grade of aspirants, and the fourteenth contemplation. To practice in this way is called the correct contemplation, and to practice otherwise is incorrect."

4) the highest level of the middle grade
佛告阿难，及韦提希：中品上生者，若有众生，受持五戒，持八戒斋，修行诸戒，不造五逆，无众过患，以此善根，回向愿求生於西方极乐世界，
The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, "Those who attain birth on the highest level of the middle grade are the sentient beings who keep the five precepts, observe the eight abstinences, practice in compliance with various precepts, and abstain from committing the five gravest offenses and other transgressions. They transfer the merit acquired to the Western Land of Utmost Bliss, aspiring to be born there.

临命终时，阿弥陀佛，与诸比丘，眷属围绕，放金色光，至其人所，演说苦、空、无常、无我，赞叹出家，得离众苦。
"When such a person is about to die, Amitayus appears before him, surrounded by a host of monks and radiating a golden light. He then expounds the truth of suffering, emptiness, impermanence and no-self, and praises renunciation of the world as the way to escape from suffering.

行者见已，心大欢喜，自见己身，坐莲华台，长跪合掌，为佛作礼。未举头顷，即得往生极乐世界，莲华寻开。当华敷时，闻众音声，赞叹四谛，应时即得阿罗汉道，三明六通，具八解脱，是名中品上生者。
"Seeing this, the aspirant greatly rejoices and finds himself seated upon a lotus-flower. He kneels down, joins his palms and worships the Buddha. Before he raises his head, he attains birth in the Land of Utmost Bliss, where his lotus-bud soon opens. When the flower opens, he hears various sounds and voices extolling the Four Noble Truths. He immediately attains Arhatship, acquires the three kinds of transcendent knowledge and the six supernatural powers, and realizes the eight samadhis of emancipation. Such a person is called one who attains birth on the highest level of the middle grade.

5) the middle level of the middle grade
中品中生者，若有众生，若一日一夜持八戒斋，若一日一夜持沙弥戒，若一日一夜持具足戒，威仪无缺，以此功德，回向发愿求生极乐国。
"Those who attain birth on the middle level of the middle grade are the sentient beings who observe for at least a day and night the eight abstinences, the precepts for a novice or the complete precepts of a monk or a nun, and do not violate any of the rules of conduct. They transfer the merit acquired to the Land of Utmost Bliss, aspiring to be born there.

戒香熏修，如此行者，命欲终时，见阿弥陀佛，与诸眷属，放金色光，持七宝莲华，至行者前，行者自闻空中有声，赞言：善男子！如汝善人，随顺三世诸佛教故，我来迎汝。
"When such an aspirant, perfumed by the virtue of observing the precepts, is about to die, he sees Amitayus coming towards him with his attendants, radiating a golden light and carrying a seven-jewelled lotus-flower. He hears a voice in the sky above praising him, saying 'Man of good deeds, since you are virtuous and have followed the teachings of the Buddhas of the three periods, I have come to welcome you.'

行者自见坐莲华上，莲华即合，生於西方极乐世界。在宝池中，经於七日，莲华乃敷，华既敷已，开目合掌，赞叹世尊，闻法欢喜，得须陀洹，经半劫已，成阿罗汉，是名中品中生者。
The aspirant finds himself seated upon the lotus-flower. The flower having closed, the aspirant is born on a jewelled pond of the Western Land of Utmost Bliss. After seven days the lotus-bud unfolds, and then he opens his eyes. With joined palms he pays homage to the World-Honored One, rejoices at hearing the Dharma and reaches the Stage of a Stream-Winner. After half a kalpa, he becomes an Arhat. Such a person is called one who attains birth on the middle level of the middle grade.

中品下生者，若有善男子善女人，孝养父母，行世仁慈，此人命欲终时，遇善知识，为其广说阿弥陀佛国土乐事，亦说法藏比丘四十八愿，
[27] "Those who attain birth on the lowest level of the middle grade are good men and women who are dutiful to and care for their parents and do benevolent deeds for others. When such a person is about to die, he may meet a good teacher, who fully explains to him the bliss of the land of Amitayus and the Forty-eight Great Vows of the Bhiksu Dharmakara.

闻此事已，寻即命终。譬如壮士伸臂顷，即生西方极乐世界，经七日已，遇观世音，及大势至，闻法欢喜，得须陀洹，过一小劫，成阿罗汉，是名中品下生者。是名中辈生想，名第十五观。
Having heard this, he dies and in the short time it takes a strong man to bend and straighten his arm, he attains birth in the Western Land of Utmost Bliss. Seven days after his birth there, he meets Avalokiteshvara and Mahasthamaprapta, rejoices at hearing the Dharma from them and so reaches the Stage of a Stream-Winner. After one smaller kalpa, he becomes an Arhat. Such a person is called one who attains birth on the lowest level of the middle grade. These three together are known as the contemplation of the middle grade of aspirants and the fifteenth contemplation. To practice in this way is called the correct contemplation, and to practice otherwise is incorrect."

7) the highest level of the lowest grade
佛告阿难及韦提希：下品上生者，或有众生，作众恶业，虽不诽谤方等经典，如此愚人，多造恶法，无有惭愧，命欲终时，遇善知识，为说大乘十二部经首题名字，以闻如是诸经名故，除却千劫极重恶业。智者复教合掌叉手，称南无阿弥陀佛。
The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, "Those who attain birth on the highest level of the lowest grade are the sentient beings who commit various evil acts but do not slander the Mahayana sutras of greater scope. When a foolish person such as this, who has committed much evil but feels no remorse, is about to die, he may meet a good teacher, who praises the titles of the twelve divisions of the Mahayana scriptures. By hearing these sutra-titles, he is released from the burden of evil karma which he has accumulated during a thousand kalpas. Furthermore, this wise teacher advises him to join his palms and call, 'Homage to Amitayus Buddha' [Na-mo-o-mi-t'o-fo].' Calling the name of the Buddha extinguishes the evil karma that the dying person has committed during fifty kotis of kalpas of Samsara.

称佛名故，除五十亿劫生死之罪。尔时彼佛，即遣化佛，化观世音，化大势至，至行者前，赞言：善男子！以汝称佛名故，诸罪消灭，我来迎汝。
"The Buddha then sends his transformed body and those of Avalokiteshvara and Mahasthamaprapta to the aspirant; they praise him, saying, 'Well done, man of good deeds! By calling the Name of the Buddha your evil karma has been extinguished, and so we have come to welcome you.'

作是语已，行者即见化佛光明，偏满其室，见已欢喜，即便命终。乘宝莲华，随化佛后，生宝池中，经七七日，莲华乃敷，当华敷时，大悲观世音菩萨，及大势至菩萨，放大光明，住其人前，为说甚深十二部经。
When these words are uttered, the aspirant sees a flood of light from that transformed Buddha fill his room. Having seen this, he rejoices and dies. Seated on a jewelled lotus-flower, he follows the transformed Buddha and is born on a jewelled pond. In seven weeks the lotus-bud opens and Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion, and Mahasthamaprapta appear before him, releasing great floods of light, and explain to him the extremely profound teachings of the twelve divisions of the scriptures.

闻已信解，发无上道心，经十小劫，具百法明门，得入初地，是名下品上生者。
Having heard these, the aspirant accepts them in faith, and awakens aspiration for the highest Enlightenment. After ten smaller kalpas, he acquires clear understanding of the one hundred dharmas and enters the First Stage of Bodhisattvahood. Such a person is called one who attains birth on the highest level of the lowest grade. Thus he is born by hearing the Name of the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha -- that is, the Three Treasures."

8) the middle level of the lowest grade

佛告阿难及韦提希：下品中生者，或有众生，毁犯五戒、八戒，及具足戒，如此愚人，偷僧只物，盗现前僧物，不净说法，无有惭愧，以诸恶业而自庄严。如此罪人，以恶业故，应堕地狱，
[29] The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, "Those who attain birth on the middle level of the lowest grade are the sentient beings who violate the five precepts, the eight precepts or the complete precepts of a monk or a nun. A foolish person such as these steals from the Sangha or takes the personal belongings of monks, or preaches the Dharma with impure motives but feels no remorse. Thus he defiles himself by evil karma, and because of this he will fall into hell.

命欲终时，地狱众火，一时俱至，遇善知识，以大慈悲，即为赞说阿弥陀佛十力威德，广赞彼佛光明神力，亦赞戒、定、慧、解脱知见。
"When he is about to die and the flames of hell suddenly close in on him, he may meet a good teacher, who compassionately explains to him the ten supernal powers of Amitayus, fully describing the majestic power of the light of that Buddha, his virtues in the observance of the precepts, meditation, wisdom, emancipation and knowledge of emancipation.

此人闻已，除八十亿劫生死之罪。地狱猛火，化为清凉风，吹诸天华，华上皆有化佛菩萨，迎接此人，
When he has heard this, the evil karma which he has committed during eighty kotis of kalpas of Samsara are extinguished; thus, the fierce flames of hell turn into cool and refreshing breezes, wafting heavenly flowers. On each flower is a transformed Buddha accompanied by bodhisattvas welcoming him.

如一念顷，即得往生七宝池中莲华之内，经於六劫，莲华乃敷。观世音、大势至，以梵音声安慰彼人，为说大乘甚深经典，闻此法已，应时即发无上道心，是名下品中生者。
"In an instant, he attains birth within a lotus-bud on a seven-jewelled pond. After six kalpas the lotus-bud opens, and then Avalokiteshvara and Mahasthamaprapta comfort him with their noble voices and teach him profound Mahayana sutras. Upon hearing these, he immediately awakens aspiration for the highest Enlightenment. Such a person is called one who attains birth on the middle level of the lowest grade."

9) the lowest level of the lowest grade
佛告阿难及韦提希：下品下生者，或有众生，作不善业，五逆十恶，具诸不善，如此愚人，以恶业故，应堕恶道，经历多劫，受苦无穷。
The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, "Those who attain birth on the lowest level of the lowest grade are the sentient beings who commit such evils as the five gravest offenses, the ten evil acts and all kinds of immorality. Owing to such evil karma, the fool like this will fall into evil realms and suffer endless agony for many kalpas.

如此愚人，临命终时，遇善知识，种种安慰，为说妙法，教令念佛，彼人苦逼，不遑念佛。善友告言：汝若不能念彼佛者，应称无量寿佛。
When he is about to die, he may meet a good teacher, who consoles him in various ways, teaching him the wonderful Dharma and urging him to be mindful of the Buddha; but he is too tormented by pain to do so. The good teacher then advises him, 'If you cannot concentrate on the Buddha, then you should say instead, Homage to Amitayus Buddha.'

如是至心，令声不绝，具足十念，称南无阿弥陀佛。称佛名故，於念念中，除八十亿劫生死之罪。
In this way, he sincerely and continuously says 'Homage to Amitayus Buddha' [Na-mo-o-mi-t'o-fo] ten times. Because he calls the Buddha's Name, with each repetition, the evil karma which he has committed during eighty kotis of kalpas of Samsara is extinguished.

於莲华中，满十二大劫，莲华方开，观世音、大势至、以大悲音声，为其广说诸法实相，除灭罪法。
When he comes to die, he sees before him a golden lotus-flower like the disk of the sun, and in an instant he is born within a lotus-bud in the Land of Utmost Bliss. After twelve great kalpas the lotus-bud opens. When the flower opens, Avalokiteshvara and Mahasthamaprapta teach him with voices of great compassion the method of extinguishing evil karma through the realization of Suchness of all dharmas.

闻已欢喜，应时即发菩提之心，是名下品下生者，是名下生辈想，名第十六观。
Hearing this, he rejoices and immediately awakens aspiration for Enlightenment. Such a person is called one who attains birth on the lowest level of the lowest grade. These three together are known as the contemplation of the lowest grade of aspirants and the sixteenth contemplation."