While the principles for our conduct taught by Sakyamuni Buddha are seen throughout the Buddha Speaks the Mahayana, Infinite Life, Adornment, Purity, Impartiality, and Enlightenment Sutra, often called the Infinite Life Sutra, the principles appear predominantly in chapters 32 through 37. These chapters teach us to eradicate evil and practice goodness. Even more importantly, we must purify our mind and body. That is, we must purify our thoughts and actions, and turn our good deeds into pure deeds. Doing so, our conduct in daily life will accord with what the Buddha said.
In this way, our mind, vows, understanding, and practice can accord with those of the Buddha, and birth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is guaranteed. This is why Venerable Master Chin Kung selected these six chapters for our evening practice.
Chapter 32 praises the wonderful virtues of the bodhisattvas of the Western Pure Land. The Buddha explained to us that the longevity and joy of the bodhisattvas in that land are beyond our imagination, beyond what words can describe. The first part of the chapter presents the excellence of the living beings in the Pure Land, and the second part introduces the magnificence of the living environment. With this, the Buddha advised and encouraged us to give rise to the mind to seek birth in the Pure Land and to be close to these virtuous beings.
While Ananda was the primary representative of the assembly at the beginning of the Infinite Life Sutra, Maitreya Bodhisattva is the primary representative in Chapters 32 through 37. The Buddha addressed Maitreya Bodhisattva as the representative in these chapters because Maitreya and the beings in this world have a profound affinity. Additionally, Maitreya will be the one to propagate this sutra when he becomes the next Buddha in our Saha world.
Later in the sutra, in chapter 46, Sakyamuni Buddha told Maitreya, “I am now expounding an expansive and wondrous Dharma door that accords with the truth and that is praised by all Buddhas.” This sutra, spoken by Sakyamuni Buddha, which accords completely with principles and the truth, is something we can trust and be sure of without any doubt.
Sakyamuni Buddha next told Maitreya, “I entrust you and others to be the great protectors.” Maitreya Bodhisattva received the Buddha’s entrustment to protect this sutra. At the close of the sutra, Maitreya, Ananda, and all the bodhisattvas, sound-hearers, heavenly beings, and others who heard the teaching said they “believed, accepted, and would follow the sutra accordingly.” From this, we can see that Maitreya Bodhisattva will surely propagate this Dharma door when he becomes the next Buddha in our world.
This Dharma door is indeed praised and protected by all Buddhas.
The above is from "Commentary on the Infinite Life Sutra," Volume Three
The Pure Land Translation Team