Why did the Buddha choose Maitreya to entrust the Larger Pure Land Sutra to?
The workings of the Buddha are inconceivable. Why did he entrust the Larger Pure Land sutra to Maitreya as per the entrustment section of that sutra? But perhaps the words of the Buddha in the other sutras can act as a clue.
We know Maitreya also attained enlightenment through an "easy path" of devotion to the buddhas, which was different than the path of Shakyamuni's display, which included many difficult practices like giving up his body many times. The Question of Maitreya sutra recounts one former life of the Buddha where the Buddha gave someone his own blood to drink, which healed the man. And after telling us this story the Buddha further says "all the water of the four great oceans can be measured, but the blood that I have given to sentient beings as I sought supreme, completely perfect enlightenment cannot." Thus, the Buddha sacrificed his life, blood, marrow, and entire body, Christ-like, numerous times, again and again.
But then the sutra explains that Maitreya's role and method is somewhat different, it is important to quote it in full:
“Ānanda, when the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya was formerly engaged in the conduct of a bodhisattva, because the vehicle is easy, the entry is easy, and the path is easy, he perfectly accomplished supreme, perfect enlightenment. Ānanda, when the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya was formerly engaged in the conduct of a bodhisattva he did not let go of his arms, legs, or marrow. He did not renounce and let go of his spouse, or his child, village, town, city, royal palace, or retinue. But, Ānanda, when the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya was formerly engaged in the conduct of a bodhisattva, because he fully embraced skillful means, through the easy vehicle, the easy entry, and the easy path he accomplished supreme, perfect enlightenment.”
Then the venerable Ānanda asked, “Blessed One, what were the skillful means to which the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya adhered, thus accomplishing supreme, perfect enlightenment?”
The Blessed One replied, “Ānanda, when formerly the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya engaged in the conduct of a bodhisattva, he would drape his shawl over one shoulder, set his right knee on the ground, and put the palms of his hands together three times during the day and three times during the night. Making all the buddhas visible, he would then speak to them in these words:
“ ‘Homage to all the buddhas!
Homage to the bodhisattvas,
Those sages with the divine eye—
And to the śrāvakas, too.
“ ‘Homage to the mind of enlightenment,
Which reverses all negative rebirths,
Shows the path to higher rebirths,
And leads beings to the state without aging or death.
“ ‘Whatever negative actions I have done
Under the influence of mind,
Here in the presence of the buddhas
I confess them.
“ ‘Whatever accumulation of merit
I have produced through the three kinds of action,
May it be the seed of my omniscience
And inexhaustible enlightenment.
“ ‘Whatever offerings to the buddhas
Arise in all realms throughout the ten directions,
The buddhas know and rejoice in them,
And at that I myself rejoice.
“ ‘I confess all negative actions.
I rejoice in all meritorious acts.
I pay homage to all the buddhas.
May I attain supreme awareness!
“ ‘I exhort the bodhisattvas
Of all ten directions,
Who abide on the ten bodhisattva levels,
To attain supreme enlightenment.
“ ‘May they become truly enlightened buddhas,
Overcoming negative influences of every kind,
And then, to benefit living beings,
May they turn the wheel of the Dharma.
“ ‘Through the sound of the great Dharma drum,
May they bring the suffering of sentient beings to an end.
For unimaginable millions of eons,
May they teach the Dharma and continue to remain in this world.
“ ‘I beg you, best of all humans,
Look upon those who are trapped in the swamp of desire,
And tightly bound by the cords of craving,
Fettered in every kind of bond.
“ ‘Buddhas, do not belittle
Those whose minds are defiled,
But with loving intent toward all sentient beings,
Save them from the sea of existence.
“ ‘May I train in the footsteps
Of the perfect buddhas—those present now,
Those of the past, and those of the future—
And may I engage in the conduct of the bodhisattvas.
“ ‘May I complete the six perfections
And liberate beings of the six realms.
May I realize the six supernormal powers
And reach supreme enlightenment.
“ ‘Unproduced and non-arising,
Without self-nature or location,
Neither mental cognition, nor substance—
May I realize the teaching of emptiness.
“ ‘Just like the Buddha, the great sage,
May I realize the teaching of non-self:
A sentient being does not exist, nor does a living being,
Nor does an individual, or a person.
“ ‘May I not dwell on there being anything substantial,
A belief in a self, or what I take to be mine,
But in order to make all sentient beings happy,
May I give everything away without miserliness.
“ ‘Since material objects do not really exist,
May my wealth be spontaneously accomplished.
Since all material objects decay,
May I complete the perfection of generosity.
“ ‘Possessing conduct that is flawless,
Conduct that is perfect,
And conduct that is without arrogance,
May I complete the perfection of moral conduct.
“ ‘Like the elements of earth, water, fire,
And wind, not dwelling on anything,
With patience and free of anger,
May I complete the perfection of patience.
“ ‘Through assiduous application of diligence,
May I have constant enthusiasm without laziness,
And with strength of body and mind,
May I complete the perfection of diligence.
“ ‘Through magic-like meditative concentration,
Meditative concentration of bravery,
And vajra-like meditative concentration,
May I complete the perfection of meditation.
“ ‘Actualizing the three gates to liberation,
The sameness of the three times,
And the threefold knowledge,
May I complete the perfection of wisdom.
“ ‘May I be praised by all the buddhas,
And blaze with light and splendor;
Through the diligence of a bodhisattva,
May my intention be fulfilled.
“ ‘Thus engaging in such conduct,
May I, who am known as Maitreya,
Complete the six perfections
And dwell on the ten bodhisattva levels.’
“Ānanda, those are the skillful means through which the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya, by adhering to them, through the easy vehicle, the easy entry, and the easy path, perfectly accomplished supreme, perfect, and complete enlightenment. Ānanda, when the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya was formerly engaged in the conduct of a bodhisattva, he thought to himself, ‘How I wish that sentient beings, having less desire, anger, and ignorance, might acquire the path of the ten virtuous actions! In the future, may I perfectly accomplish supreme, perfect, and complete enlightenment and become a buddha.’ It was thus that he consecrated his buddha realm.
“Ānanda, such a time and period will come about; then sentient beings will become less desiring, angry, and ignorant, and keep to the path of the ten virtuous actions. After that, the bodhisattva mahāsattva Maitreya, due to the power of his prayer, will perfectly accomplish supreme, perfect, and completely enlightened buddhahood.
Thus, Maitreya is a Buddha of the easy path of Buddha-remembrance as well. It therefore makes sense that the Buddha entrusts him with the Larger Pure Land Sutra—the ultimate easy path teaching.
Full sutra:
Posted Sep 25, 2026, 7:49 PM UTC