"A holy man changes the curses of karma into blessings. The desire to perform miracles arises either from covetousness or from vanity.7
"That mendicant does right who does not think: 'People should salute me' who, though despised by the world, yet cherishes no ill-will towards it.8
"That mendicant does right to whom omens, meteors, dreams, and signs are things abolished; he is free from all their evils.9
"Amitābha, the unbounded light, is the source of wisdom, of virtue, of Buddhahood. The deeds of sorcerers and miracle-mongers are frauds, but what is more wondrous, more mysterious, more miraculous than Amitābha?"10
"But, Master," continued the savaka, "is the promise of the happy region vain talk and a myth?"11
"What is this promise?" asked the Buddha; and the disciple replied:12
"There is in the west a paradise called the Pure Land, exquisitely adorned with gold and silver and precious gems. There are pure waters with golden sands, surrounded by pleasant walks and covered with large lotus flowers. Joyous music is heard, and flowers rain down three rimes a day. There are singing birds whose harmonious notes proclaim the praises of religion, and in the minds of those who listen to their sweet sounds, remembrance arises of the Buddha, the law, and the brotherhood. No evil birth is possible there, and even the name of hell is unknown. He who fervently and with a pious mind repeats the words 'Amitābha Buddha' will be transported to the happy region of this pure land, and when death draws nigh, the Buddha, with a company of saintly followers, will stand before him, and there will be perfect tranquillity."13
"In truth," said the Buddha, "there is such a happy paradise. But the country is spiritual and it is accessible only to those that are spiritual. Thou sayest it lies in the west.
