Summary
s.1While the Buddha is dwelling in Vaiśālī at Āmrapālī’s grove, a Licchavi youth named Superior Skill requests him to reveal those buddhas presently dwelling in fulfillment of their former aspirations, such that venerating them and remembering their names can dispel fear and harm. The Buddha responds by listing the names of eight buddhas and the names of their buddha realms. He instructs Superior Skill to remember these buddhas’ names and to contemplate them regularly to develop their good qualities himself and ensure success before beginning any activity. After Superior Skill departs, Śakra, lord of the gods, declares that he has taken up this practice as well. The Buddha exhorts Śakra to proclaim this discourse before engaging in battles with the asuras to ensure his victory, and then enumerates the good qualities of those who proclaim this discourse.
s.1佛陀住在毘舍離的庵羅波利園林時，一位名叫善作的離車族青年請求佛陀開示那些正在成就過去願力的佛陀，使得禮敬他們並念誦他們的名號能夠消除恐懼和傷害。佛陀回應善作，列舉了八位佛陀的名號和他們佛土的名字。他囑咐善作要記住這些佛陀的名號，並經常思惟他們，以此培養自己的功德，在開始任何活動之前確保成功。善作離開後，眾神之主帝釋天宣布他也採取了這個修行方法。佛陀勸勉帝釋天在與阿修羅交戰前要宣揚這部經典以確保勝利，然後列舉了宣揚這部經典者所獲得的功德。