Is the Pure Land a Heaven?
Alan Kwan
4 July 2014
What is the difference between Heaven and a Buddha’s Pure Land? This is a question that has vexed outsiders and beginners to Pure Land Buddhism.
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.
Is the Land of Bliss a Realm of Rewards or a Realm of Transformation?
Alan Kwan
26 June 2014
The title of my article was posed as a question in the Commentary of the Contemplation Sutra, written by Master Shandao, the de facto founder of
Discrepancies and Dilemmas: Rebirth and Recitation in the two Pure Land sutras (Part II)
Alan Kwan
4 June 2014
In the Infinite Life Sutra, one of the main texts of the Pure Land tradition, Amitabha Buddha made his 18th vow: “If, when I attain Buddhahood,
Discrepancies and Dilemmas: Rebirth and Recitation in the two Pure Land sutras (Part I)
Alan Kwan
26 May 2014
In the last three articles in my column, we’ve been discussing a lot about Amitabha-recitation “by ten times”. There are actually two “discrepancies” between the
Tenfold Recitation in Pure Land: Rebirth on the Lowest Level of the Lowest Grade
Alan Kwan
9 May 2014
Rebirth by Amitabha-recitation in 10 times Master Tanluan (476??542 CE), a prominent patriarch in Pure Land Buddhism, interpreted ‘reciting Amitabha ten times’ with an analytical set
Master Tanluan on the Primal Vow: Should we recite Amitabha’s name ten times?
Alan Kwan
15 April 2014
Many within Buddhism itself criticize the concept of ‘other-power’ (?L?O) or Buddha power, asserting that it is over-emphasized in Pure Land Buddhism. They might say,
Why does Amitabha want us to recite His Name “Ten Times”?
Alan Kwan
1 April 2014
Why “Even only ten times”? Many Buddhist practitioners find the 18th Vow of Amitabha Buddha – the Primal Vow that guarantees salvation to every being that
Amitabha Buddha’s Three Vows of Deliverance (Part III – The 20th Vow)
Alan Kwan
14 March 2014
In this three-part series, Pure Land columnist Alan Kwan examines the three most important vows of Amitabha Buddha’s forty-eight vows, which constitute Amitabha’s plan for
Amitabha Buddha’s Three Vows of Deliverance (Part II – The 19th Vow)
Alan Kwan
3 March 2014
In this three-part series, Pure Land columnist Alan Kwan examines the three most important vows of Amitabha Buddha’s forty-eight vows, which constitute Amitabha’s plan for
Amitabha Buddha’s Three Vows of Deliverance (Part I – The 18th Vow)
Alan Kwan
14 February 2014
In this three-part series, Pure Land columnist Alan Kwan examines the three most important vows of Amitabha Buddha’s forty-eight vows, which constitute Amitabha’s plan for
What are the drawbacks of mixed practice in Pure Land Buddhism?
Alan Kwan
11 February 2014
Remarks in the Commentary of the Contemplation Sutra Soon after Master Shandao defined exclusive practice and mixed practice in his Commentary of the Contemplation Sutra, he told
Exclusive Practice and Mixed Practice in Pure Land Buddhism
Alan Kwan
14 January 2014
Exclusive Practice As classified by Master Shandao, the de facto founder of Pure Land Buddhism in China, the Pure Land teaching of Amitabha Buddha is