Sukhawathivyuha Suthraya

Sukhavathi Vyuha is considered one of the greatest works in Mahayana Buddhism. Venerable Pannakiththi Thera’s translation from Sanskrit into Sinhalese contains the original passages followed by the translation. Also known as the Sutta on the Buddha of Infinite Life this is the longest of the three mainstream scripts on the concept of Pure Land concept in Mahayana Buddhism. The other 2 (two) suttas are Amitabha Sutra and Amitayurdhyana Sutra. The sutta is said to have been compiled during the Kushan empire of India. Scholars believe that the sutta was originally written in Gandhari language a Prakrit dialect in the northwest India. The Sutta cites the Buddha explaining to his chief attendant Venerable Ananda Thera the life of the Buddha Amitabha (a Mahayana concept). After meditating for five eons as a bodhisattva the sutta goes on to explain he made a great series of vows to save all sentient beings and through his great merit.