Pure Land: History, Tradition, and PracticeAn introductory guide to the beliefs and key concepts of Pure Land Buddhism, the most widely practiced form of Buddhism in East Asia. Pure Land is a brief introduction to the history and practices of Pure Land Buddhism, a popular and growing global tradition. Pure Land practices center on Amitābha Buddha, rebirth in his pure buddha-land, and the guaranteed attainment of buddhahood. It constitutes the dominant tradition of most Buddhists in East Asia and is the most common form of practice within immigrant Buddhist communities in America, yet it remains elusive to many general readers of Buddhism. This brief introduction summarizes the core teachings of this tradition and charts its growth throughout the world. Part of the Buddhist Foundations series, Pure Land covers the spiritual tenets behind the tradition before describing how prayer and devotion to Amitābha allow for rebirth in a realm free from suffering and ideal for progress on the path to enlightenment. It then outlines specific Pure Land practices, all the while providing historical context to account for its widespread popularity throughout East Asia. The author also covers contemporary Pure Land traditions, providing a useful touch point for modern readers. Pure Land practitioners and readers interested in Asian-American Buddhist communities now have a concise guide to the ideas, practices, and origins of this widely popular spiritual tradition. |
Contents
The Story of Amitabha and His Pure Land | 3 |
Early Indian Developments | 20 |
Pure Land Origins in China | 39 |
Shandaos Breakthrough | 56 |
Further Developments in China | 69 |
The Synthesis of Yunqi Zhuhong | 82 |
The Modern Period in China | 96 |
Pure Land Goes to Japan | 107 |
Ippen and the Jishū | 151 |
NianfoNenbutsu | 165 |
SelfPower and OtherPower | 188 |
Group Practice and Ritual | 198 |
Women in Pure Land Thought and Practice | 210 |
Conclusion | 217 |
Notes | 223 |
Further Reading | 231 |
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Common terms and phrases
achieve rebirth Amitābha's name attain rebirth became bodhisattva buddha Amitābha buddha Śākyamuni buddha-land Buddha's name buddhahood Buddhist Buddhist practice called Chan chant chapter China Chinese Pure Land Contemplation Sūtra Daochuo death deathbed rituals dharma dharma-gate disciples dynasty engage enlightenment esoteric faith followers gain rebirth goal Hawai'i Press Hōnen Huiyuan Ippen Japan Japanese jingtu Jishū Jōdo Shinshū Kamakura karma Land of Utmost lives Lotus Lotus Sūtra Mahayana master means meditation merit monastic monk Nāgārjuna nenbutsu nian nianfo nondual one's mind ordinary Original Vow path patriarch person prac practice nianfo practice of nianfo practitioners Pure Land associations Pure Land Buddhism Pure Land practice Pure Land tradition religious retreat samādhi samsara Śāriputra scriptures self-power and other-power Shandao shinjin Shinran Shū Song dynasty Sukhāvatī Sutra Taisho Taixu Tanluan teaching temple Tendai texts tice Translation University of Hawai'i Utmost Bliss visualization White Lotus Society women Yinguang Zhuhong