Question: “I’m strongly considering getting into Pure Land Buddhism and was wondering if you had any advice for a beginner? Thank you so much for your kind and informed responses, by the way. “
Firstly, I’m glad you’re interested in learning about Pure Land. It can be such a great and enlightening practice. Secondly, I have hesitation when someone says they want to “get into” something, as if, in this case a religious practice, is like an outfit you can put on and take off whenever you want. I’m a firm believer in “letting things come to you naturally.” This is also true for the many practices and schools of Buddhism.
By no means am I discouraging you from anything. Jump into the golden sand, jasmine water lake of the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss! I do want to emphasize though if you try to force any sort of practice onto yourself or others, it immediately becomes ineffective and false. That is why I discourage words like “get into,” because it insinuates that you are “forcing” yourself to learn or practice said topic.
Buddhism is such a beautiful practice with dozens of different schools and practices. They all lead to the same goal, enlightenment. Pure Land is no exception. The teachings of Pure Land, of Amitabha Buddha, encourages its followers to chant the Pure Land sutras and recite Amitabha’s name constantly.
Pure Land used to get a lot of criticism, saying it’s “too much like Christianity,” because it teaches the practitioner’s to have faith in Amitabha Buddha so that one can be reborn in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. However, these critics are either ignorant of Buddhist practices or don’t have much or enough philosophical knowledge of Buddhism.
In true Buddhist practice, there is never blind faith. The Buddha himself told his followers to not believe everything he says, that they would have to go practice his teachings and if they work for them, great! If not, to continue with other practices. This is why there are so many different schools and practices of Buddhism, because a specific one practice of Buddhism may not be compatible for everyone.
If we read the Pure Land sutras, especially the Shorter Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra, it gives scenes of a beautiful pure land where everything is perfect – the trees, roads, water, buildings, everything – is made of precious and rare stones/jewels. Who wouldn’t want to live in such a place? Most Pure Land practices teaches its followers to constantly chant “Namo Amitabha Buddha” or just “Amitabha.” That the constant recitation of his name will give you a rebirth in his land, and once there, eventually able to attain enlightenment.
The actual practice of Pure Land is to teach us to see a Pure Land here and now. That even amongst the chaos and destruction we see in our world, it is still full of beauty and happiness. One of the other Amitabha sutras teaches us specific visualizations to use during meditation and chanting to help us envision our own world as a Pure Land. After many years of practice, we can go out in our own world and be mindful and attentive to the beauty of our world and see pass the ugliness.
The practice helps with concentration, visualization, and peacefulness. Because if you are able to concentrate and be happy and treat others with love and compassion, you will be reborn in a better life – a life that is much better than your present life, a life in a “pure land” that is blissful.
So I would encourage you to read the three main Pure Land sutras and to meditate on and recite Amitabha Buddha’s name. Recitation alone can bring us so much peace.
Smile and be well!