Arising Conditions forthe Three Thousand Buddhas throughout the Three Kalpas 出觀藥王藥上經 Sūtra of Contemplation of Medicine King and Superior Physician 宋畺良耶舍譯Translated by Dharma Master Kālayaas of the Liu Song Dynasty
At that time, ākyamuni Buddha addressed the assembly and said, “Countless eons ago, during the Dharma-ending age of Buddha Wonderful Light, I left home to cultivate the Way. I heard the names of fifty-three Buddhas and upon hearing them, I joined my palms in reverence and felt great joy in my heart. I then taught others to listen and to uphold them. 他人聞已，展轉相教，乃至三千人。此三千人異口同音，稱諸佛名，一心敬禮。如是敬禮諸佛因緣功德力故，即得超越無數億劫生死之罪。 These others, in turn, taught still more people until there were three thousand in all. These three thousand people, with one voice and in unison, reverently recited the names of the Buddhas. Because of the causes and conditions, as well as the power of the blessings and merits that arose from revering the Buddhas, they were able to transcend the countless eons of birth and death. 初千人者，華光佛為首下至毗舍浮佛，於莊嚴劫得成為佛，過去千佛是也。The first thousand people became Buddhas during the Adornment Kalpa, starting from Buddha Flowering Light to Buddha Vivabhū in succession.其中千人者，拘留孫佛為首下至樓至佛，於賢劫中次第成佛。The second thousand people became Buddhas in succession in the Worthy Kalpa, starting from Buddha Krakucchanda to Buddha Rucika.後千人者，日光佛為首下至須彌相佛，於星宿劫中當得成佛。The final thousand people will become Buddhas in succession too during the Constellations Kalpa, starting from Buddha Sunlight to Buddha Sumeru Appearances. 佛告寶積：十方現在諸佛善德如來等，亦曾得聞是五十三佛名故，於十方面各皆成佛。The Buddha said to Bodhisattva Amassing Treasure, "All Buddhas of the present time throughout the ten directions, the Tathāgatas of virtuous qualities, have also heard the names of these fifty-three Buddhas and have all become Buddhas in their respective regions.若有眾生，欲得除滅四重禁罪，欲得懺悔五逆、十惡，欲得除滅無根謗法極重之罪，當勤禮敬五十三佛名號。If there are living beings who wish to eliminate the offenses of breaking the Four Major Precepts, or to repent the Five Heinous Crimes, and Ten Evil Acts, or to eliminate the extremely grave offense of baselessly slandering the Dharma, they should diligently revere and recite the names of the fifty-three Buddhas."
