If it’s so easy, why am I still here?

(Part One) 

Of all the methods the Buddha taught, Pure Land Buddhism is said to be the “easiest to practice.” Those unfamiliar with the practice may get excited on hearing this. At last! An easy method! Not so fast there. Yes, compared to other Dharma doors, Pure Land is indeed the simplest and easiest.

But not easy! “Easiest” refers to buddha-name chanting. From the moment we begin our practice to the moment Amitabha Buddha comes to escort us to the Western Pure Land, we chant his name. There is no need for a teacher to monitor our progress step by step, assessing us to guide us to the next level. We just chant Amitabha’s name. So the practice is truly the easiest.

But! We need to chant single-mindedly, with no other thoughts arising. This is the “not easy” part. Anyone who has tried to hold just one thought in their mind knows how slippery thoughts are.

So, while the method is the easiest, the practice takes dedication.

When about to tell others that your Dharma door is better than theirs... (Click image for video)

Do we stop at the first thought? 

Or plunge on to the second? 

The very instant we perceive something, we give rise to a first thought. For example, the moment we see a bowl of fruit, we clearly know that we are looking at a bowl with fruit in it. Now if we were awakened, we’d stop here—at the first thought.

Since we’re not awakened, we’re on to a second thought—in a flash.

And a third thought.

And a fourth.

While an awakened being would perceive the items with one or more of the five senses, know what is being perceived, and stop there, we plunge right on. Labeling our perceptions, we give rise to discriminatory thoughts. We segregate them to Pleasant or Unpleasant, Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down. We then attach to certain things and dismiss others. And without realizing what is happening, due to our myriad discriminations and attachments, we blunder into the land of wandering thoughts.

All thanks to that unawakened second thought.