Pure Land and back

If there are sentient beings,
who hear of this teaching,
they should aspire,
to be born in that land.

- Amitabha Sutra(The Buddha)

Who has been to Amitabha's Pure Land (Amitabha Buddha's pure realm manifested from his perfect compassion and wisdom for guiding beings to liberation) and back?

How do we know if it really exists?

Well, if someone not particularly special in any way tells us he had been to Pure Land and back, we will tend to doubt him.

If he describes Pure Land as it is already described in the sutras taught by the Buddha, we will wonder what is the point of listening to his repeated description.

However, if he describes Pure Land in ways not described in the sutras, we will doubt him all the more.

Yet, there are especially great masters, such as the 13th Pure Land Patriarch Master Yinguang, who expounded on the Pure Land teachings in detail… because he was indeed from Pure Land, being a manifestation of Dashizhi Pusa (Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva) from Pure Land.

The best proof of this identity, as revealed after his departure, are his great abilities and efforts to encourage countless to practise the Pure Land teachings effectively.

There are some who have direct visions of Pure Land when they practise well. Those who have been reborn in Pure Land and returned after training would be Bodhisattvas, who will never reveal their identities just for attention, but let their Dharma teachings and exemplary actions speak for their worth.

This is in line with Shakyamuni Buddha's strict instructions in the Surangama Sutra, as shown below, given out of great compassion and wisdom to avoid the prevalence of false claims for selfish gain in terms of fame and fortune, while confusing the masses with false 'Dharma' teachings -

'It is my command that after my parinirvana, in the time of the Dharma's ending [this period far from the Buddha's time], the Bodhisattvas and Arhats will appear before beings in whatever bodily [manifested] form may be appropriate for rescuing them from the cycle of death and rebirth.

The Bodhisattvas and Arhats may appear as elder monks or nuns, or as white-robed laity, or as kings, as high officials, as pure youths or maidens, or even as courtesans, widows, libertines, thieves, slaughterers, or traffickers in stolen goods.

Working side by side with these people, in order to lead them to enter samadhi, the Bodhisattvas and Arhats praise the Buddha's Vehicle [to Buddhahood], but they should never speak casually to people who have not yet studied the Dharma, saying, "I am actually a Bodhisattva," or "I am actually an Arhat," thus carelessly revealing the Buddha's hidden intent.

They can only reveal themselves at the end of their lives, and then only in private (to inspire them one "final" time).

Anyone who in any other way claims to be a Bodhisattva or an Arhat is deluding people with an egregious lie…

What I have said is what Buddhas teach. Mara, the Evil One, teaches otherwise.' (BTTS 2009)

Following this rule, when we look around in the 'spiritual marketplace' today, those who egoistically claim to be 'supreme' or 'true' 'masters' and 'Buddhas' are straightaway not even proper disciples of the Buddha, much less to say, qualified representatives of his teachings.

The limitless manifestations urged as skilful means for reaching out include any possible identity other than as enlightened beings.

Back to the opening questions, the truth is, even if there is no Pure Land, mindfulness of Buddha has to, by default, lead to the best rebirth as we ride upon his merits, as there is no safer or more meritorious subject for mindfulness of, especially on the deathbed, than a Buddha with perfect compassion and wisdom.

(Amituofo was spoken of by Shakyamuni Buddha in close to 300 sutras.)

Those who practise mindfulness of Buddha very well can depart for Pure Land at will before becoming old, sick and/or dying; when they are healthy, young and thus very much alive.

From ancient history to this modern day, there continues to be increase in already innumerable records of sincere practitioners who have done so. They manifest many classic auspicious signs of birth in Pure Land while departing very blissfully, joyfully citing the arrival of Amituofo or sight of Pure Land.

Such passing must karmically lead to the most blissful realm they aspire to reach – Pure Land. Some give way ahead yet accurate announcements of their departure dates and times too.

This is very powerful evidence for the efficacy of Pure Land practice because for ordinary beings, with the Three Poisons of strong attachment (to samsaric life), aversion (to dying) and delusion (of the afterlife), it is impossible to calmly and clearly know and say when they will depart, if not, as testified by them, due to having been personally informed by Amituofo of when he will arrive to guide them to his Pure Land. These advance notices are also Amituofo's skilful means to continually inspire us to have greater faith in him and his Pure Land!


If good men and good women hear [learn] of Amita Buddha [Amitabha Buddha; Amituofo], firmly upholds [practise mindfulness of] his name… single-mindedly [wholeheartedly] and without confusion [being scattered], for these persons, when approaching the end of life, Amita Buddha, with an assembly of noble [holy] beings, will appear before them. When their lives end, their minds will not be inverted, and they will immediately attain rebirth in Amita Buddha's Land of Ultimate Bliss.


- Amitabha Sutra (The Buddha)

Even Gods May Fall

Whoever has accumulated much merit, after his rebirth in the Deva-realms [heavenly planes of gods], lives there till the end of the life-span of that realm is attained.

If, however, the force of the meritorious deed [good karma] that caused his rebirth onto that realm [which is limited] is exhausted before the end of the life-span of that realm, is reached, he dies [and resume rebirth within Samsara, if not yet enlightened].

Some devas sometimes so indulge themselves in the pleasures and enjoyments of the Deva-realms, that they forget to take their food at the due and proper time. Consequently, at last, they come in for a fainting fit and then pass away. Some others die due to extreme anger caused by jealousy against another’s prosperity.

That is because their subtle bodies cannot endure the burning that their anger generates within themselves, so their bodies are consumed and wither. (This description is given in the story of Ghosaka in the commentary of the Dhammapada.)

In describing the actual manner in which death occurs in these Deva-realms, we are told that when death is approaching and a deva is destined to fall away (die), five signs of warning are shown to him: (1) His garland fades, (2) his garments become soiled, (3) sweat exudes from his arm pits, (4) his body becomes ill-coloured, and (5) he feels no delight in his seat even as he remains seated.

It is also of interest and significance to note that from the moment of birth in a Deva-realm to the moment of death, neither the decaying and breaking of teeth, nor the greying of hair seems to occur. A heavenly female being (devi) for instance, maintains the appearance of a sixteen year old maiden all throughout her life, and a male has the appearance of a twenty year old youth.

At the last moments preceding death, however, their bodies lose their colour, they feel exhausted and faint. Up to this last moment they never feel tired. When they near death, they begin to yawn… Only a few of the devas who are the wisest among them know what is about to happen… When devas die, their mansions too vanish and no residue remains, just as when a piece of camphor is burnt.

[Editor: As such, the mere doing of good to create merits for heavenly rebirths is dangerous, as wisdom is needed too, while the safest place for rebirth is a Buddha's Pure Land, where enlightenment will be eventual, where there is no possibility of sensual indulgence, rise of defilements like anger, spiritual complacency, ageing, disease or untimely death.]

- Extracted from The Daily Enlightenment

Pure Land and Zen

The supreme and endless blessings of Samantabhadra’s deeds,
I now universally transfer,
May every living being, drowning and adrift,
Soon return to the Land of Limitless Light! [Amituofo's Pure Land]

~ Samantabhadra Bodhisattva (Vow #10)


Many people following the current fashion of Zen think of it as the supreme Dharma.

They look down on Pure Land and do not practice it. Because they delight in fame, they learn some words and sentences from ancient sages so that they can talk smoothly and eulogize one another.

The urge to enter the Dharma doors (i.e., to cultivate) is in decline. These people not only lack real practice, they even deprecate the Mahayana sutras, claiming that the sutras are mere words and need not be read. Though such persons may have some mundane knowledge, they cannot save themselves. It is really terrible.

Most of them do not understand the Mahayana sutras, do not understand that there are many expedient methods for teaching sentient beings, do not know the meaning of the expression: “Everything returns to oneness, but there are many expedient methods that lead us to an understanding of the Truth.”

They only know that the Zen Patriarchs stressed Awakening.

Yet the original intent of the awakened mind is to end Birth and Death. Is this not also the very purpose of Buddha Recitation?

Many Zen practitioners fail to escape the cycle of Birth and Death, while Pure Land followers find it easy to escape that cycle [by seeking birth in Pure Land first, where Enlightenment is guaranteed by learning in the best environment from the best enlightened teachers].

What is the reason for this?

It is because to practice Zen, you must stop the thought process, while to recite the Buddha’s name, you must concentrate on pure thoughts.

Since sentient beings have been mired in false thinking for untold eons, it is very difficult to detach themselves from it [and thus end the thought process].

Buddha Recitation, on the other hand, changes impure thoughts to pure thoughts, fighting poison with poison to purify one’s own thoughts.

Therefore, in Zen practice it is difficult to attain Awakening, while Buddha Recitation makes it easy to reach that goal.

If you really want to end Birth and Death in one lifetime, concentrate on Buddha Recitation. There is no need to worry any further.

People today think of the Dharma of Pure Land as an expedient teaching [skilful means]. Little do they realize that it is also a wonderful teaching.

Take the Great Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, whose teaching encompasses the whole Dharma Realm (cosmos). He made ten Great Vows directed toward the Pure Land.

The Patriarch Asvaghosa relied on numerous Mahayana sutras to write the Treatise on the Awakening of the Faith, showing sentient beings the way to the Pure Land.

Zen patriarchs in China are involved in transmission of the lamp (Mind-to-Mind transmission). While they may not always refer to the Pure Land, if after becoming awakened and bringing an end to the cycle of Birth and Death, they do not turn to the Pure Land, would that not be nihilism?

The eminent Zen Master Yung-Ming collected passages from the entire Tripitaka (Buddhist Canon) demonstrating that to point to the Mind is to return to the Pure Land.

During the Dharma-Ending Age, many Zen masters glorify the Western Pure Land. Moreover, the Pure Land Dharma was preached by Sakyamuni Buddha himself without being requested and is extolled by all Buddhas throughout the Ten Directions [as stated in the Amitabha Sutra].

Are not the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Patriarchs more worthy than a few defiled sentient beings?

- Extracted from Pure Land of the Patriachs

A Pure Land Story

During the time of Sakyamuni Buddha, there was a kind king who was overthrown by his evil son and imprisoned in the dungeon. He was deprived of food and any physical comfort. The king's wife, was also prohibited from seeing him.

The king became sad and despondent. He was dismayed the the world can be so filled with such unbearable anguish.

Faced with this world where suffering abounds, he prayed, "Oh Lord Buddha!! Why do you not come to my aid during this difficult time of my life? Can you show me a sanctuary where I can rest my weary soul?"

In the meantime, the queen, who had repeatedly asked to see her king, was finally allowed to do so. However, his treacherous son forbade her from bringing any food for the starving king.

In her desperation, she coated her body with a layer of flour paste so that the king would have some nourishment.

At such a time of anguish and despair, the two of them tearfully prayed to the Buddha for deliverance from their suffering.

To their amazement, the Buddha supernaturally appeared before them. The prison cell was filled with a beautiful luminous light and the smell of beautiful flowers.

The Buddha told the king and queen, "To the West of this saha world, more than a hundred thousand million Buddha lands, there is a world called 'Ultimate Bliss Pure Land', where the teacher of the land, Amitabha Buddha, is currently teaching the Dharma.

In the land of Amitabha Buddha, the most serene, secure and happy place, there is no suffering, only happiness.

If you recite the name of Amitabha with single-mindedness, Amitabha Buddha will use the strength of his great vow to receive you to be reborn in the Pure Land."

After listening to the guidance of the Buddha, the king and queen started to earnestly recite the name of Amitabha Buddha.

For many days, they sincerely recited and chanted Amitabha Buddha's name with little rest. Their hearts were filled with a deep faith and utmost conviction that they will be able to get to the Pure Land.

One day, in the course of their praying, a radiant Pure Land did indeed appear before their eyes. They saw Amitabha Buddha, surrounded by a host of Bohidsattvas and celestial beings, all in radiant light, come down to welcome them to the Pure Land.

Because of the good karma that they have accumulated during his reign, the king and queen was reborn in Amitabha Buddha's World of Ultimate Bliss. There they can listen to Him preach the Dharma and ultimately, become enlightened.

The evil son reaped the karma that he sowed. He was killed not long after that in a hunting accident.

Appointment With Life

All of us have only 24-hours a day, regardless of who we are. From themost powerful person on earth or the richest man to the poorest, all of us are given the same 24-hours a day.

Yet, how many of us really treasure these limitations? And how is it that some people can achieve so much with this same 24-hour day and become rich and powerful while others remain poor and helpless?

There is only one moment when life is available and that is the Present moment. Your Appointment with Life is in the Present moment.

If you are not able to touch the Present moment, you miss your Appointment with Life. All these is very simple and not difficult to understand at all.

Therefore, all our energies and time should be focused in the Present moment. The past is already gone and the future is not yet here...

Everyone should do the same - living each moment of our daily life deeply, dwell in it and establish ourselves in the Present moment.

Practise to be mindful in our daily life and its every moment. Learn to go back to the Present moment and live deeply and treasure every moment of our daily life.

In that Present moment, you will find the most beautiful thing - peace, joy, love, abundance, the kingdom of God and the Pure Land.

All these things can only be touched and found only in the Present moment...