Pure Land Buddhism (Chinese: , Jìngtǔzōng; Japanese: 浄土宗, Jōdoshū; Korean: , jeongtojong; Vietnamese: '), also known as Amidism''', is a branch of Mahayana Buddhism and currently one of the dominant schools of Buddhism in East Asia. It is the devotional or "faith"-oriented school of Buddhism, emphasizing rituals, and has become part of the mainstream of Mahayana Buddhism, along with Chan (Zen in Japan) (See also the Yuzu Nembutsu sect of Japan). In China and other parts of East Asia, Pure Land and Chan are often practised concurrently, and followers do not always distinguish between the two.

Overview

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Pure Land Buddhism is based on the Pure Land sutras first brought to China circa 150 by the Parthian monk An Shih Kao and the Kushan monk Lokaksema, which describe Amitabha, one of the Five Wisdom Buddhas, and his heaven-like Pure Land, called Sukhavati.

The Pure Land school first became prominent with the founding of a monastery upon the top of Mount Lushan by Hui-yuan in 402. It spread throughout China quickly and was systematized by Shan-tao (613–681). The philosophy spread to Japan and slowly grew in prominence. Honen Shonin (1133–1212) established Pure Land Buddhism as an independent sect in Japan, known as Jodo Shu. Today Pure Land is, together with Chan, the dominant form of Buddhism in China, Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

Contemporary Pure Land traditions see the Buddha Amitabha preaching the Dharma in his buddha-field (sa. buddhakṣetra), called the "Pure Land" (zh. , pinyin jìngtǔ, jp. jodo, vi. ') or "Western Pureland" (Ch. ), a region offering respite from karmic transmigration. The Vietnamese also use the term ' () for "Western Land of Bliss", or more accurately, "Western Paradise". In such traditions, entering the Pure Land is popularly perceived as equivalent to the attainment of nirvana.

Adherents believe that without assistance, demonic possession and wandering from the path are likely over the course of multiple rebirths. Thus, adherents believe that the Buddha provided an easier route to enlightenment, the Pure Land. The main idea behind Pure Land Buddhism is that nirvana is difficult to obtain without the assistance of the Buddha. Instead of solitary meditative work toward enlightenment, Pure Land Buddhism teaches that devotion to Amitabha will lead us to the Pure Land (reminiscent of Heaven) from which Nirvana will be easier to attain.

Some Pure Land Buddhists have taught that in order for a devotee to be reborn in Amitabha's Western Paradise or Western Pureland, they should chant or repeat a mantra or prayer to Amitabha as often as possible to reinforce a proper and sincere state of mind (ex: Chinese Nàmó Āmítuó fó; Japanese Namu Amida butsu; Korean 나무아미타불 namuamitabul Vietnamese ). It is believed, that if practitioners chant Amitabha Buddha's name continuously, when their current life comes to an end they can be received with their karma by Amitabha Buddha (). This fairly simple form of veneration has contributed greatly to its popularity, especially in Japan.

Nianfo, or the ritualistic chanting of the Buddha's name, is a part of some forms of Pure Land Buddhism.

Eastern Pure Land

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In esoteric Vajrayana Buddhism, Amitabha's Western Pure Land is the counterpart to Akshobhya's Eastern Pure Land, or Abhirati. While especially recognized by the Japanese Shingon sect, Eastern Pure Land Buddhism is less popular than in Western Pure Land Buddhism.

See also

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• Jodo
• Jodo Shinshu
• Honen
• Shinran
• Ippen
• Buddhism in China
• Faith in Buddhism
• Neo-Confucianism.
• Chan

Selected works

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• Eitel, Ernest J. Hand-Book of Chinese Buddhism, being a Sanskrit-Chinese Dictionary with Vocabularies of Buddhist Terms in Pali, Singhalese, Siamese, Burmese, Tibetan, Mongolian and Japanese (Second Edition). New Delhi, Madras: Asian Educational Services. 1992.

External links

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• Jodo Shu official website
• [http://hongakujodo.tripod.com/hjcl/ Official site of Hongaku Jodo Shu, an American Pure Land sect that trains individuals for service as a Pure Land sensei.
• E-Sangha Buddhism Portal
• The Pure Land Tradition (includes scriptures)
• Digital Dictionary of Buddhism (log in with userID "guest")
• Pure Land Buddhism As Vaishnavism Part 1
• A Contemplative View of Amida - The Buddha of the Land of Bliss
• Pure Land Learning College in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia

Buddhism | Pure Land Buddhism

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