Pure Land Buddhism

HaJung Kim &

Sarah Hwang

Origin

• Descended from Mahayana Buddhism in India around 2nd century B.C.E.

• Pure Land Buddhism was introduced to China during the 2nd century C.E.

• Pure Land Buddhism and Amitabha Buddha arose due to Shakayamuni Buddha's first teachings.

Founder& Spread

During 4th century Hui-yan formed society of monks meditating on Amitabha.

• Society of monks set by Hui-yan spread the doctrine during 6th~7th century.

• Became more famous when monastery upon top of the Mount Lushan was found.

Traditions

• Described as “Path of Serene Trust”

• Entering the Pure Land Buddhism is popularly perceived since it's equivalent to the attainment of enlightenment.

• After the practitioners earn enlightenment, they return to the six realms and bodhisattvas to help the deceived people instead of becoming the Buddha or entering nirvana.

Traditions (continued)

• The Shandao Tradition mostly followed the Threefold Pure Land Sutra.

• =chanting the Buddha's name as the sufficient condition to be born in the Pure Land.

• The Cimin Tradition combines the teachings of meditation, discipline with a Pure Land framework.

Tradition (in conclusion)

• Based on Mahayana Buddhism & bodhisattvas

• Rebirth into Realm of Bliss “Sukhavati.”• Experiencing Purified Mind.• Amitabha Buddha: compassion & wisdom• Practice Buddhanusmrti “to say mindful of

Buddha.”• *Faith.• *Aspiration/Vow for Rebirth.

Enlightenment

• Believed to be difficult to gain without the guidance of the Amitabha Buddha.

• Guided by Amitabha Buddha and other bodhisattvas until one reaches the full potential of enlightenment.

• Being born into the Pure Land Buddhism is considered akin in achieving enlightenment.

Karma

• Practitioners believe that if they chant Amitabha Buddha's name or nianfo (mindfulness of the Buddha) when their life comes to and end, they can be received with their karma by the Buddha.

• Not an eternal destination, but a pleasurable place in which all karma disappears and nirvana is simple to gain.

Symbols

• Pure Land Buddhism has a favorable approach in its symbolism, with colorful and evocative paintings of the hell and the happiness of Pure Land along with attractive representations of Amitabha Buddha.

• The two most common symbols of the faith are scrolls showing the image of Amitabha Buddha surrounded by rays of light greeting his devotees at the time of rebirth in the Pure Land, and the nembuts inscribed vertically in Chinese characters.

Sources

• "Pure Land Buddhism: The Path of Serene Trust." Pure Land Buddhism: The Path of Serene Trust. <http://http://www.cloudwater.org/pureland.html>.

• Ducor, Jerome, ed. "Pure Land Buddhism WWW Virtual Library." What is Pure Land Buddhism ? <http://http://www.pitaka.ch/vlpl.htm>.

• Blue Host. "Pure Land Buddhism." Pure Land Buddhism. 2004. 2004 <http://http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/sects/pure_land.htm>.

• "Pure Land Buddhism." Pure Land Buddhism. <http://http://philtar.ucsm.ac.uk/encyclopedia/easia/pure.html>.

Sources (continued)

Hooker, Richard. "Mahayana Buddhism." Mahayana Buddhism. <http://http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/buddhism/mahayana.htm>.

• V., Jayaram. "Chinese Buddhism." Chinese Buddhism. <http://http://www.hinduwebsite.com/buddhism/chinese_buddhism.asp>.

• Wiki Answers. "Pure Land Buddhism." Pure Land Buddhism. <http://http://www.answers.com/topic/pure-land-buddhism>.