Buddhism
Q&A for people practicing or interested in Buddhist philosophy, teaching, and practice
Latest Questions
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How should one say the nembutsu: "as if your life depended on it"?
How should one say the nembutsu: "as if your life depended on it"? This is an English idiom, though I think it is quite literal. Would anyone agree, and if so who?
How should one say the nembutsu: "as if your life depended on it"? This is an English idiom, though I think it is quite literal.
Would anyone agree, and if so who?
user25078
May 12, 2024, 08:21 PM
• Last activity: May 14, 2024, 03:29 PM
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Does Pure Land Buddhism only acknowledge the 3 sutra in its canon?
On [this](https://tricycle.org/beginners/decks/pure-land/?continue=1) website, it is stated: > The Pure Land tradition is founded on **three sutras** and two commentaries: **the Sutra on Immeasurable Life**, also known as the Larger Pure Land Sutra; **the Amida Sutra**, also known as the Smaller Pur...
On [this](https://tricycle.org/beginners/decks/pure-land/?continue=1) website, it is stated:
> The Pure Land tradition is founded on **three sutras** and two commentaries: **the Sutra on Immeasurable Life**, also known as the Larger Pure Land Sutra; **the Amida Sutra**, also known as the Smaller Pure Land Sutra; and **the Contemplation Sutra**. The two commentaries are Vasubandhu’s Treatise on the Sutra of Immeasurable Life and Shandao’s Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra.
Assuming someone acknowledges the Āgama and its form of the Pali canon, are the 3 sutras the only sutras that are, let's say "mandatory" for Pure Land Buddhism, while the rest of the Mahayana sutras are optional? Or are other sutras held as canonical and also "mandatory" to acknowledge and believe in?
setszu
(324 rep)
Apr 22, 2024, 05:14 PM
• Last activity: Apr 22, 2024, 05:23 PM
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Source for bodhisattva transforming hell?
I vaguely remember reading how some bodhisattva out of compassion went to some hell and then transformed it into a pure land. Does anyone know that story? About which bodhisattva it is? And what's the source for it...
I vaguely remember reading how some bodhisattva out of compassion went to some hell and then transformed it into a pure land. Does anyone know that story? About which bodhisattva it is? And what's the source for it...
zeleni sok
(101 rep)
Sep 16, 2022, 06:22 PM
• Last activity: Sep 29, 2022, 04:48 AM
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Looking for a historical text or a contemporary study of such text on how it is that this world is or isn't a "pure land"
Looking for a primary source (an actual historical text) or a secondary source (a formal study of a historical text or texts), on how it is that this world is or isn't a "pure land". Presumably the Buddha Sakyamuni has or had a pure land? I've read a lot of Buddhist scholarship, so please don't be s...
Looking for a primary source (an actual historical text) or a secondary source (a formal study of a historical text or texts), on how it is that this world is or isn't a "pure land".
Presumably the Buddha Sakyamuni has or had a pure land? I've read a lot of Buddhist scholarship, so please don't be shy in recommending anything at all, in English or translatable somehow.
user23969
Jul 25, 2022, 08:31 PM
• Last activity: Aug 25, 2022, 10:00 PM
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Are Amitabha and Sakyamuni the same?
Buddha is the name for the Supreme Being, right? So are Amitabha Buddha and Sakyamuni Buddha both Supreme Beings but of different galaxies or something? I assume there are more buddhas than just these two. If so, how can there be many Supreme Beings? I guess I am confused by what it means to say Sak...
Buddha is the name for the Supreme Being, right? So are Amitabha Buddha and Sakyamuni Buddha both Supreme Beings but of different galaxies or something? I assume there are more buddhas than just these two. If so, how can there be many Supreme Beings?
I guess I am confused by what it means to say Sakyamuni is the buddha of our saha world while Amitabha presides over Sukhavati.
sirdank
(201 rep)
Nov 11, 2014, 02:14 PM
• Last activity: Sep 9, 2020, 04:40 AM
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What is meant by Namu Amida Butsu and also Nam-myoho-renge-kyo?
In two schools of Buddhism, an important part of the practice is the repetition of special mantras which sound like simple expressions of honor or gratitude to those of us outside of the sects, but which have profound meaning to the practitioners. Is it possible to explain the deeper meaning of Nam-...
In two schools of Buddhism, an important part of the practice is the repetition of special mantras which sound like simple expressions of honor or gratitude to those of us outside of the sects, but which have profound meaning to the practitioners. Is it possible to explain the deeper meaning of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo ("Homage to the Lotus Sutra") as Nichiren Buddhists understand it or Namu Amida Butsu ("Homage to Amida Buddha") as Jodo Shinshu Buddhists understand it or must these thing be understood only through experiencing them?
Robin111
(9612 rep)
Jun 19, 2014, 12:39 PM
• Last activity: Mar 1, 2020, 05:35 PM
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Does Pure Land Buddhism ever have a Buddha other than Amitābha as the object of devotion?
Does Pure Land Buddhism ever have a Buddha other than Amitābha as the object of devotion? Or is Pure Land Buddhism by definition a devotion to Amitābha and an aspiration to be reborn in his pure land? I'm aware there are a lot of other Buddhas so I just wondered if they were ever the focus of this t...
Does Pure Land Buddhism ever have a Buddha other than Amitābha as the object of devotion? Or is Pure Land Buddhism by definition a devotion to Amitābha and an aspiration to be reborn in his pure land? I'm aware there are a lot of other Buddhas so I just wondered if they were ever the focus of this tradition.
Crab Bucket
(21181 rep)
Aug 30, 2014, 04:57 PM
• Last activity: Feb 27, 2020, 01:58 AM
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What is the Pure Land?
The Three Pure Land sutras contain descriptions of a beautiful and serene place with trees, ponds, and palaces all made of jewels and surrounded with heavenly music and fragrance. How is this Pure Land understood by followers of Pure Land schools? Is it thought of as a place one will literally go af...
The Three Pure Land sutras contain descriptions of a beautiful and serene place with trees, ponds, and palaces all made of jewels and surrounded with heavenly music and fragrance. How is this Pure Land understood by followers of Pure Land schools? Is it thought of as a place one will literally go after this life or is it more of an inspiration or source of imagery for meditation? Or something else entirely? Thank you for helping me to understand this.
Robin111
(9612 rep)
Jun 25, 2014, 01:05 AM
• Last activity: Feb 4, 2019, 11:54 PM
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Is intercessionary prayer prohibited in Jodo Shinshu (Japanese Pureland?)
So I just read "Waking the Buddha" by Strand and he had a comment: "It is unlikely that those who attended them would have felt within their rights, to demand that the Jodo Shinshu teachings showed practical application in daily life. In fact, the prohibition against intercessionary prayer in [Renny...
So I just read "Waking the Buddha" by Strand and he had a comment:
"It is unlikely that those who attended them would have felt within their rights, to demand that the Jodo Shinshu teachings showed practical application in daily life. In fact, the prohibition against intercessionary prayer in Rennyo 's tradition would have argued against it."
In Jodo Shinshu, can one efficaciously pray to the Amida Buddha for some result in this world?
MatthewMartin
(7191 rep)
Oct 19, 2014, 02:06 PM
• Last activity: Oct 16, 2018, 09:19 PM
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Please Recommend Pure Land / Other Power Buddhism Books
I have gradually become a Pure Land Buddhist. I chant as I cycle. But I would also like to read, in English or Japanese. Recently I read the book below (Not generally available I am afraid) and it made me feel good. Please would members recommend some other power Buddhism books. 別府信空上人（2015）『現物者の喜び』...
I have gradually become a Pure Land Buddhist. I chant as I cycle. But I would also like to read, in English or Japanese. Recently I read the book below (Not generally available I am afraid) and it made me feel good. Please would members recommend some other power Buddhism books.
別府信空上人（2015）『現物者の喜び』法然寺
timtak
(89 rep)
Oct 31, 2017, 04:21 AM
• Last activity: Aug 22, 2018, 01:20 PM
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Is jhana taught in Pure Land Buddhism?
Most of the books I have read really don't cover the Pure Land segment. There is a local Pure Land group and I was wondering if they (Pure Land Buddhists in general) teach and practice jhana as part of the path to awakening?
Most of the books I have read really don't cover the Pure Land segment. There is a local Pure Land group and I was wondering if they (Pure Land Buddhists in general) teach and practice jhana as part of the path to awakening?
user12751
Dec 22, 2017, 06:32 PM
• Last activity: Dec 28, 2017, 03:08 PM
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All sentient beings?
This is a question about Pure Land Buddhism. What is a sentient being ? What is a living being ? Examples, e.g. slug, tree, bacteria, cat, aliens ? How do you teach enlightenment to a cat ? Are the snow lions in a pure land enlightened ? How do slugs get to be enlightened ? Do they have to be reborn...
This is a question about Pure Land Buddhism.
What is a sentient being ?
What is a living being ?
Examples, e.g. slug, tree, bacteria, cat, aliens ?
How do you teach enlightenment to a cat ?
Are the snow lions in a pure land enlightened ?
How do slugs get to be enlightened ? Do they have to be reborn as human first ?
How can every living being be enlightened ?
Do they all have to be human first ?
Thanks.
Ididit
(31 rep)
Aug 21, 2017, 12:26 PM
• Last activity: Aug 24, 2017, 12:23 PM
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Has anyone claimed to have reborn in Pure Land, and later returned to earth to help other beings?
It is said that a person can choose to return to samsara to help others after being reborn in Pure Land. But has anyone claimed to be that particular kind of person? I am not talking about those who claimed to have visited Pure Land in meditation or dreams. But those who was a human, rebirthed in a...
It is said that a person can choose to return to samsara to help others after being reborn in Pure Land. But has anyone claimed to be that particular kind of person? I am not talking about those who claimed to have visited Pure Land in meditation or dreams. But those who was a human, rebirthed in a Pure Land, instructed by Buddhas and bodhisattvas in that Pure Land, then chose to rebirth back as human on earth to help other beings.
fxam
(991 rep)
Aug 20, 2014, 12:51 PM
• Last activity: May 18, 2017, 02:58 AM
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Niànfó (念佛, nenbustu) & Morality
I would like to pose a question to practitioners of the various diverse sects of Pure Land Buddhism and to those substantially knowledgable of the writings of Pure Land masters. There exists the notion that Pure Land style buddhānusmṛti, namely invoking the name of Amitābha in the interest of entran...
I would like to pose a question to practitioners of the various diverse sects of Pure Land Buddhism and to those substantially knowledgable of the writings of Pure Land masters.
There exists the notion that Pure Land style buddhānusmṛti, namely invoking the name of Amitābha in the interest of entrance into Sukhāvatī, absolves practitioners from moral obligations and removes morality from the Buddhadharma. I do not agree with this notion, but it does exist, and this in spite of the obvious and apparent reality that Pure Land practitioners are not any more immoral than any other group of people.
Some Pure Land masters are popularly quoted as saying that even the unrepentant and evil gain access to Sukhāvatī via niànfó in this very life in which they are criminals or evil men. Does anyone have any context to offer for this and how it impacts morality in the dispensation of these masters, who clearly did not advocate for immoral behaviour?
Where does morality and virtue sit contextualized within the Dharma in niànfó-centric practices of Pure Land schools, wherein salvation is potentially available to all through niànfó alone?
Thank you all for your time.
Caoimhghin
(1154 rep)
Apr 26, 2017, 01:26 PM
• Last activity: Apr 27, 2017, 01:09 PM
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In Pure Land Buddhism, what realm do the pure lands belong to? Are they outside of the usual six realms?
Do the pure lands belong to heaven realms? Or a completely different realm from the normal six realms?
Do the pure lands belong to heaven realms? Or a completely different realm from the normal six realms?
fxam
(991 rep)
Aug 17, 2014, 02:00 PM
• Last activity: May 1, 2016, 06:55 AM
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Pure Land Schools' version of the Three (or Four) Marks of Existence
I'd be grateful for references to some of the major Pure Land schools' versions of the Three (or Four) Marks (Seals) of Existence: - Impermanence (*anicca*) - Suffering (*dukkha*) - No-self (*anattā*) - Liberation (*nirvāṇa*) Addendum -- pointers to the individual topics in any Pure Land tradition w...
I'd be grateful for references to some of the major Pure Land schools' versions of the Three (or Four) Marks (Seals) of Existence:
- Impermanence (*anicca*)
- Suffering (*dukkha*)
- No-self (*anattā*)
- Liberation (*nirvāṇa*)
Addendum -- pointers to the individual topics in any Pure Land tradition would be fine -- does not have to be all together.
Jan 6 -- beyond my own answer, with three references, I would still be grateful for further items, plus explanations of where the three marks (that is, the somewhat philosophical ideas so crucial to Theravada and Tibetan schools) fit into Pure Land in general, and on the specific texts I found.
David Lewis
(1187 rep)
Jan 1, 2016, 10:01 PM
• Last activity: Jan 6, 2016, 06:07 PM
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Are Aksobhya and Bhaisajyaguru the same buddha?
[This page][1] by Venerable Husan Hua says yes; [this page][2] by Zhuoge Rinpoche says no. [1]: http://www.buddhistdoor.com/OldWeb/bdoor/0606/sources/medsutra1.htm [2]: http://www.zhuogelama.com/The%20Treasure%20Wisdom%20II_Part%20III_QA38.pdf
user126
Mar 4, 2015, 12:30 PM
• Last activity: Aug 16, 2015, 06:38 PM
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How do ethics work in Shin Buddhism?
"Even the good person attains birth in the Pure Land, how much more so the evil person." I think I understand the reasoning here-- if practice isn't effective, then the evil person, who doesn't practice or I suppose, do anything good, isn't planning on getting to the Pure Land by his own means, he's...
"Even the good person attains birth in the Pure Land, how much more so the evil person."
I think I understand the reasoning here-- if practice isn't effective, then the evil person, who doesn't practice or I suppose, do anything good, isn't planning on getting to the Pure Land by his own means, he's going to have to rely on someone else to get him there.
So, after this, if one's goal is to get to the pure land, what is the rationalization for ethical behavior?
(Let me emphasize I'm not trying to imply a suitable reason for being ethical isn't there, I just haven't gone in depth far enough into Shin Buddhism to know what the answer is, and I find it bemusing)
MatthewMartin
(7191 rep)
Jul 2, 2014, 12:44 AM
• Last activity: Jul 6, 2014, 08:55 PM
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Buddhas of The Ten Directions
What are the Buddhas of the ten directions? What are the applications of this teaching in the Buddhist traditions?
What are the Buddhas of the ten directions? What are the applications of this teaching in the Buddhist traditions?
DharmaEater
(2199 rep)
Jun 29, 2014, 05:07 AM
• Last activity: Jun 29, 2014, 03:42 PM
Showing page 1 of 19 total questions