The Larger Sutra of Immeasurable Life, The 18th Vow: 'The Promise of Salvation Through Faith Alone' - The 48 Vows of Bodhisattva Dharmakara

✦This content is the third part of a trilogy, following the previous two works. Links are at the bottom.✦

This content allows you to learn about the world of the Larger Sutra of Immeasurable Life through the story of the 48 Vows of Bodhisattva Dharmakara, which he made before becoming Amitabha Buddha.

*The story sections include creative elements.

■ The Larger Sutra of Immeasurable Life, The 18th Vow: The Promise to Save Everyone Without Exception

With the previous seventeen vows, Bodhisattva Dharmakara created a perfect utopia (Pure Land) and made its existence known throughout the entire universe.

However, the greatest and final challenge remained.

It was the problem of the 'entry requirements': 'How can one get there?'

In traditional Buddhism, to reach the land of enlightenment, one had to endure rigorous ascetic practices, observe precepts, and accumulate vast amounts of good deeds.

However, under those conditions, those who 'have no time for practice,' those 'with weak wills who succumb to worldly desires,' and those 'who have committed sins' would never be saved.

What Bodhisattva Dharmakara aimed for was not salvation for the elite, but 'salvation that leaves no one behind.'

The 18th Vow introduced here is called the 'Primal Vow (King of Vows),' which is exceptional even among the 48 Vows.

(*The term 'King of Vows' is primarily used in the Jodo Shu school.)

The 'ultimate answer' that Bodhisattva Dharmakara reached after agonizing over it for an unfathomable amount of time known as five kalpas is here.

■ Bodhisattva Dharmakara's Vow: 'The Vow of Sincere Faith and Joy'

Bodhisattva Dharmakara stood before the gates of his completed Pure Land, deep in contemplation.

His profile radiated a compassion so profound and intense that it surpassed any of his previous vows.

His teacher, Lokesvararaja Buddha, approached him.

'Dharmakara, the land is complete. Your body, light, lifespan, and renown are all established. Now, it is a matter of 'whom to invite and how.'

How do you intend to set the conditions for entry into this pure land?

Will it be those who have accumulated pure deeds? Or those who possess deep wisdom?'

Bodhisattva Dharmakara slowly raised his head, looked his teacher straight in the eyes, and replied.

'Teacher, if I make 'pure deeds' a condition, those living in the mire will have no choice but to despair.

If I make 'wisdom' a condition, those who have had no opportunity to learn will be left behind.

The ones I wish to save are those who cannot help themselves, those who are weeping, covered in the mud of their own defilements.'

Lokesvararaja Buddha asked quietly.

'But Dharmakara, if you admit those who carry their sins without any conditions, will the purity of the Pure Land not be compromised? How will you overcome that contradiction?'

Bodhisattva Dharmakara placed his hand on his chest and spoke in a voice that seemed wrung from his soul, yet was filled with conviction.

I will take it upon myself.

All the practices they must perform, all the sins they must atone for—I will take all of it upon myself, and I have sealed all of my merit and power into the Name, 'Namu Amida Butsu'.

There is only one condition I ask of them.

To believe in this ship of salvation I have created without doubt, and to board it.

That is all.

Lokesvararaja Buddha sent praise that shook the universe for the unprecedented answer his disciple had given.

Oh... you say you will save them not by their ability or practice, but by the single heart of faith alone. That is true equality. That is the ultimate compassion that no other Buddha has been able to achieve.

With his teacher's approval, Bodhisattva Dharmakara cried out from the depths of his soul to every life in the entire universe. This is the eighteenth vow, the core of the forty-eight vows.

(*The exclusion of those who commit the five grave offenses and slander the true Dharma is intentionally omitted here.)

It was a revolutionary declaration that overturned the common sense of Buddhism, completely removing 'ability' and 'effort' from the conditions for entry, and offering salvation solely through the turning of the heart to 'believe and entrust'.

■ 'The Primal Vow': A passport has been prepared in your stead, by Amida Buddha

​

This 18th Vow is the 'Primal Vow' (hongan) in Pure Land Buddhism.

It is no exaggeration to say that all the other forty-seven vows are merely preparations and decorations for the realization of this 18th Vow.

​The greatness of this vow lies in the fact that it completely shifts the basis of salvation from 'our side' to 'the Buddha's side'.

​The meaning of 'even ten times' (naishi junen)

​The 'even ten times' in the vow is not a numerical quota. It means that even those who 'only have time to recite the Nembutsu ten times' or those who 'could only call upon it ten times amidst the suffering of their final moments' will be saved.

In other words, it must be something that 'anyone can do, anytime, anywhere'.

​The true meaning of Tariki Hongan (Other-Power)

​While 'Tariki Hongan' is used in modern times with the negative connotation of 'leaving things to others,' it originally refers to a very powerful way of living: 'entrusting oneself to the power of Amida Buddha's Primal Vow (Other-Power).'

Instead of struggling with 'one's own small power (self-power),' one boards the great ship of 'the Buddha's infinite power (other-power)' to cross the rough seas.

​Amida Buddha says:

'I have completed the practice. I have prepared the merits. I have packed the passport and the ticket into this name of 'Namu Amida Butsu' and sent it to you.

Therefore, you only need to accept it just as it is.'

​The 18th Vow is a promise of 'unconditional salvation' where we do not need to offer anything in return.

■ The Conclusion of the 18th Vow and Moving Toward the Next Vow

Finally, the method of salvation has been revealed.

To believe and to call upon the Name. With just that, a path has been opened for anyone to reach the Pure Land.

This is the pinnacle of the Forty-Eight Vows and the entirety of Bodhisattva Dharmakara's wish.

However, there are those in the world who think, 'It cannot be that simple to be saved,' or 'I would rather perform good deeds myself and be saved by that merit.'

Alternatively, there may be those who say, 'I cannot fully believe yet, but I want to strive in Buddhist practice.'

Does Amitabha Buddha abandon those who 'want to try hard on their own power'?

Next time, we will look at the story of the 19th Vow: 'The Approach to Those Who Accumulate Good Deeds Through Self-Power.'

Let us unravel the vow regarding the compassionate 'alternative route' prepared even for those who cannot fully believe in the Primal Vow.

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