All Beings Live Together in the Western Pure Land

 

The wondrousness of the Western Pure Land is inconceivable. Amitabha’s Pure Land is a land where saints and ordinary beings live together, but it includes all Four Lands. When we go there, of course we go to the Land of Common Residence of Ordinary Beings and Saints because we carry residual karmas.

In all other Buddha-lands of the ten directions, the Four Lands are separate. Sakyamuni Buddha’s Land of Real Reward is in the Dharma Realm of the One Reality, and his Land of Expedient Liberation is in the four enlightened worlds. The lands are separate.

It is like schools in this world. Elementary schools, middle schools, and universities are separate. The Western Pure Land is unique. The students of elementary school, the students of middle school, the students of university, and post-graduate students all share the same classroom. This is unique. This is why it is called a teaching hard to believe.

When we go to the Western Pure Land, we are like elementary school students. But there are also university students, post-graduate students, and Ph. D. students in the same classroom. When we face difficulty, they will help us. An inconceivable world!

Therefore, attaining rebirth in the Land of Common Residence of Ordinary Beings and Saints, the first of the four lands, is the same as attaining rebirth in the Land of Expedient Liberation because arhats are our fellow practitioners.

It is also the same as attaining rebirth in the Land of Real Reward, the third of the four lands, because bodhisattvas are there with us.

It is also the same as attaining rebirth in the Land of Eternally Quiescent Light, the highest of the four lands, because Buddhas are also there with us.

~ Based on Ven. Master Chin Kung's 2003 lecture series on the Amitabha Sutra

Nurturing Feelings of Worth

Feelings of worth can flourish

only in an atmosphere

where individual differences are appreciated,

mistakes are tolerated,

communication is open,

and rules are flexible

—the kind of atmosphere that is found in a nurturing family.

~ Virginia Satir

Repentance Practice

Question: In Chinese Buddhism the concept of repentance and repentance ceremonies seem to be very important. Are there any specifically Pure Land approaches to repentance?

Response: There is a beautifully moving repentance verse in Buddhism:

All evil actions committed by me since time immemorial,
stemming from greed, anger, and ignorance,
arising from body, speech, and mind,
I deeply repent having committed.

Personally, I find that saying this verse and prostrating along with my practice of chanting "Amituofo" to be deeply moving.

Also, talk to those you have hurt. After saying the verse, tell them how deeply you regret the harm you have done. Ask all those you harmed to please not obstruct you on your path to rebirth in the Pure Land, and Buddhahood. Explain that seeking revenge for past harm will only bring future retaliation, which is of no benefit to them. Ask them to please allow you to practice so you can dedicate the merits to them and to all those who suffer. And assure them that upon attaining that rebirth you will come back to help them also end suffering and attain happiness.

Conserving Our Good Fortune

When we create goodness, we amass good fortune. What does good fortune look like? It can manifest as a safe living environment, satisfactory resources, or a good education. It can be a loving family and caring friends. If we live prudently and do not foolishly drain our good fortune, we will conserve it for when we need it most—at the end of our lives.

 

How might we reduce our good fortune? By taking more than we need and by not using all that we have taken.

Why do we need to conserve it for the end of our lives? Our last moments lead to our next lifetime. To die without pain or suffering, to be clear minded and aware of what is happening is very rare. To be with loved ones and friends who encourage and support us, and to die in an environment where our final wishes are honored is also very rare. To die peacefully enables us to have the thoughts that will lead to a good rebirth.

Whether our wish is to go to heaven or the Pure Land, a peaceful death in which our mind is clear and at ease is essential. And to have all the right conditions to bring this about, we need that good fortune.

Not knowing how much we have or when we will die, conserving our good fortune and not squandering it is our best hope for having it when we really need it. 

Fear in Our Lives

Because we are only accepting of pleasure in our lives,

an immense amount of fear is created

as we spend our lives dodging pain.

~ Author Unknown