Pure Land Buddhism - Overview, Eastern Pure Land

A school of Buddhism founded, it is said, by the Chinese monk, Hui Yuan (334–417). It is characterized by devotion to the Bodhisattva Amitabha, who rules over a ‘pure land’. The goal of those devoted to Amitabha and the pure land is to be reborn there, and attain enlightenment. The school also spread to Japan.

Pure Land Buddhism (Chinese: 净土宗, Jìngtǔzōng;

Pure Land Buddhism is often found within larger Buddhist practices such as the Chinese Tien Tai school, or Japanese Shingon Buddhism. However, Pure Land Buddhism is also an independent school as seen in the Japanese Jodo Shu and Jodo Shinshu schools. There is not one "school" of Pure Land Buddhism per se, but rather it is a large subset of the Mahayana branch of Buddhism.

Overview

Pure Land Buddhism is based on the Pure Land sutras first brought to China as early as 148 CE, when the Parthian monk Ān Shìgāo (安世高) began translating sutras into Chinese in the imperial capital of Luòyáng [洛陽 (洛阳)] during the Hàn [漢 (汉)] dynasty at the White Horse Temple [白馬寺 (白马寺) Báimǎ Sì] . The Kushan monk Lokakśema [支讖 (支谶) Zhī-chèn ], who arrived in Luòyáng two decades after Ān Shìgāo, is often attributed with the earliest translations of the core sutras of Pure Land Buddhism. These sutras describe Amitabha, one of the Five Wisdom Buddhas, and his heaven-like Pure Land, called Sukhavati. In this sutra, the Buddha describes to his assistant, Ananda, how Amitabha, still a mere disciple, makes a great series of vows to save all beings, and through his great merit, creates a realm called the Pure Land, or the Western Paradise. This Pure Land is intended as a refuge for those who are weighed down by negative karma and cannot obtain Enlightenment themselves.

Pure Land Buddhism played a minor role in early Indian Buddhism, particular the Mahayana branch, but first became prominent with the founding of a monastery upon the top of Mount Lushan by Hui-yuan in 402. Honen Shonin (1133–1212) established Pure Land Buddhism as an independent sect in Japan, known as Jodo Shu. The Buddhist Encyclopedia published another version of lineage that includes 13 Patriarchs of Pure Land Buddhism. 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. In such traditions, entering the Pure Land is popularly perceived as equivalent to the attainment of nirvana.

Thus, adherents believe that Amitabha Buddha provided an alternate practice towards attaining enlightenment: the Pure Land. The main idea behind Pure Land Buddhism is that nirvana is difficult to obtain without the assistance of Amitabha Buddha. Instead of solitary meditative work toward enlightenment, Pure Land Buddhism teaches that devotion to Amitabha will lead one to the Pure Land (reminiscent of Heaven) from which Nirvana will be easier to attain. Pure Land Buddhism provided a way to practice Buddhism for those who were not capable of practicing other forms.

Some Pure Land Buddhists have taught that in order for a devotee to be reborn in Amitabha's Western Paradise or Western Pure Land, they should chant or repeat a mantra or prayer to Amitabha as often as possible to reinforce a proper and sincere state of mind.

Another alternate practice found in Pure Land Buddhism is meditation or contemplation of Amitabha and/or his Pure Land.

Eastern Pure Land

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.