What is Pure Land?
This [Pure Land] Path is the most primal and the most subtle and wondrous.
It is also the simplest. Because it is simple, those of high intelligence overlook it.
~ J.C. Cleary, Pure Land, Pure Mind
Pure Land practice is the most widely practiced form of Buddhism in the world. It is the main style of Buddhism in China, Vietnam, and Japan. The popular, culturally rooted practice of Pure Land entails mindful recollection of the Buddha Realm, Sukhavati, the Western Pure Land of Bliss and Amitabha, the Buddha who presides over it. This faith ranges from a popular culturally-rooted belief to a deeply personal experience of liberation in the present moment.
A Pure Land practitioner can use recitation, chanting and visualization to ensure their rebirth in Sukhavati, where all conditions are conducive to realizing complete liberation from dukkha. The personal practice of Pure Land is to experience Amitabha and the Western Pure Land in your heart and mind, right this moment.
A Pure Land practitioner can use recitation, chanting and visualization to ensure their rebirth in Sukhavati, where all conditions are conducive to realizing complete liberation from dukkha. The personal practice of Pure Land is to experience Amitabha and the Western Pure Land in your heart and mind, right this moment.
Birth and death are not apart from a single moment of mindfulness. Consequently all the myriad worlds and world-transcending teachings and methods are not apart from a single moment of mindfulness. Right now take this moment of mindfulness, and be mindful of buddha, remember buddha, recite the buddha-name. How close and cutting! What pure essential energy, so solid and real! If you see through where this mindfulness arises, this is the Amitabha of our inherent nature. This is the meaning of patriarch coming from the West [the meaning of Zen].
~ J.C. Cleary, Pure Land, Pure Mind
| The Shorter Amitabha Sutra |
Teachings on a Western approach to Pure Land
Pure Land Buddhism might suggest an otherworldly orientation, but its primary focus is on… the here and now cherished as a gift of life itself to be lived creatively and gratefully, granted us by boundless compassion.
~Taitetsu Unno
