What is Pure Land Buddhism?

Pure Land Buddhism is a family of Mahayana traditions that focus on the Buddha Amitābha and his Pure Land, called Sukhāvatī, "the land of bliss". It is one of the most widely practised forms of Buddhism in East Asia, in China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan.

The story behind it

The tradition rests mainly on three sutras, known as the Three Pure Land Sutras. They tell of a monk named Dharmākara who, long ago, made a series of great vows. He vowed to reach full awakening and to create a pure realm where beings could be reborn and progress easily towards awakening. He would welcome anyone who sincerely called on him. Having fulfilled his vows, he became the Buddha Amitābha, "infinite light", also called Amitāyus, "infinite life".

A pure land is understood as a realm without the obstacles of ordinary life, where conditions are ideal for practice. Rebirth there is not the final goal. It is a place from which awakening is assured.

Practice

The central practice is reciting the Buddha's name. In Chinese it is Namo Amituofo, in Japanese Namu Amida Butsu. Both mean "I take refuge in the Buddha Amitābha". Practitioners may recite it aloud or silently, many times a day, sometimes using prayer beads. Some also visualise the Pure Land or chant the sutras.

Faith, aspiration and practice are often described together. The person trusts in the Buddha Amitābha's vows, wishes to be reborn in the Pure Land, and recites the name.

Different emphases

In China, Pure Land practice is often combined with meditation and other Mahayana practices, and there are not always clear boundaries between schools. In Japan, teachers such as Hōnen and Shinran founded separate schools, Jōdo-shū and Jōdo Shinshū, in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Shinran taught that rebirth comes entirely through the Buddha Amitābha's compassion, so recitation becomes an expression of gratitude rather than a means of earning it.

Why it appeals to many

Pure Land teachings were often presented as a path open to everyone: lay people with families and work as well as monks and nuns. People who feel they cannot meditate for long periods can still practise. For many, it brings a sense of being held by compassion, and it is closely tied to the bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, who is said to attend the Buddha Amitābha.