The Buddhāpadāna further develops the concept of Buddha-field, in that it speaks of innumerable Buddha-fields in all ten directions in the multiverse. Thus the Apadānas clearly show the line of development from the concept of merit-field in the early Suttas to the Pure Land systems of later Mahāyāna.

This essay features translations by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu of four Apadānas (Sanskrit: Avadānas): the Buddhāpadāna, Therāpadāna 502, Therāpadāna 80, and Therāpadāna 21. Ṭhānissaro provides a concise yet insightful introduction to Apadānas in general and explains the rationale behind his selection of these particular narratives.