The aim of Pure Land teaching is rebirth in Amitabha Buddha’s Land of Bliss, and the method to attain rebirth is recitation of Amitabha’s Name, as said by Shakyamuni Buddha. Is it the teaching of Shakyamuni or Amitabha, or both? What are the similarities and differences between the two teachings in Pure Land Buddhism? Lots of doubts and confusion? Better clarify it because it involves the Buddha’s original intent of appearing in the world to deliver us for attaining perfect Enlightenment and ultimate liberation.
Since February this year, we have been discussing the importance of faith and its role in Pure Land Buddhism. In this instalment I hope to
A finger pointing at the moon The simple question of “What is a Buddha?” was raised in a casual discussion with a venerable Pure Land
Causes of rebirth in different realms With regard to my previous article* discussing the cause of assured rebirth in Amitabha’s Pure Land, many readers were surprised
Accuracy in explaining the Buddha’s words In my previous three articles I emphasized that Pure Land Buddhism sees faith as an expedient means, while the
The mismatch between the “Name” and “meaning” Master Tanluan explained in the Commentary on the Treatise of Rebirth: “What is meant by the idea that some do
Master Tanluan, an eminent Pure Land patriarch from the 6th century CE, wrote the Commentary on the Treatise of Rebirth. He utilized and integrated many profound concepts
An easy practice with faith as an expedient means Nagarjuna Bodhisattva is recognized as the “Founder of the Eight Schools in Mahayana Buddhism.” He also
Two ways of establishing faith from Amitabha’s Name Master Shandao states in Praise of Rites of Rebirth: “The honorable Amitabha set forth an extremely solemn vow. He
Faith in the Pure Land teachings arises from Amitabha’s name The Treatise of Great Wisdom says: “The Buddhist teachings are as vast as the great sea, so
Rebirth attained exclusively through Amitabha-recitation As discussed in my previous article*, all practitioners of Pure Land Buddhism should understand and believe in the concept of
The substance of all the Pure Land sutras is Amitabha’s Name Master Tanluan, an eminent Pure Land patriarch in 6th century China, says in his Commentary
Deliverance of sentient beings through the Name According to Buddhism, Buddhas have four different ways of delivering sentient beings in the Ten Directions: 1. Bodily
