Pure Land buddhism

Question 1

What are the main teachings or sutras called in the Pure Land and when were they written?

Answer 1

Larger and Smaller Land of Bliss sutras. Late second century!

Question 2

What was the main intent or purpose of the larger land of bliss sutra?

Answer 2

Tell the story about Amitabha Buddha, the Buddha of Immersurable light.

Question 3

What did Bodhisattva Dharmakara learn about the power a Buddha can have?

Answer 3

Requires faith in Amitabha Buddha and a sincere desire to be born in the Buddha realm. Buddha had the power to create Pure Lands.

Question 4

What did the Buddha promise or resolve to do as a Bodhisattva?

Answer 4

Promised that he would not become a Buddha until he gained the powers needed to produce such a pure Buddha realm. The 18th vow guarantees that those who have sincere faith and devotion.

Question 5

Who did the Bodhisattva Dharmakara become and where does he now reside?

Answer 5

Now Amitabha Buddha living in the Buddha realm called the “Land of Bliss” (sukhavati).

Question 6

Why is this story important for Pure Land Buddhists?

Answer 6

Important part for the Buddhist devotional practice and to be in the Land of Bliss calling out ‘Nembutsu’ (I call out to Amida to save me).

Question 7

How can a Pure Land Buddhist be reborn in the Pure Land or Land of Bliss?

Answer 7

Sincere desire to be born in the Buddha realm. Generate the thought of becoming a Buddha; virtuous qualities.

Question 8

What did the East Asian Schools of Pure Land Buddhism emphasise when it comes to being born in the Pure Land?

Answer 8

The saving grace of Amitabha for birth in the Pure Land of Bliss. Seek refuge and trust in Amida’s Primal or Original vow to save you.

Question 9

Once there in the Pure Land, what is the goal or rebirth in the Pure Land?

Answer 9

Once enlightened & develops the Bodhisattva aspiration- one “returns” (genzo) to sangha.

Question 10

If Pure Land Buddhists devote themselves to Amida Buddha, what do they believe will happen to them when the hour of death approaches?

Answer 10

Amida Buddha will stand before them, surrounded by a host of monks and Bodhisattva ready to take them to the Pure Land.

Question 11

According to Alfred Bloom, what does Amida Buddha symbolises?

Answer 11

Spiritual richness and meaning of his Name for countless believers in East Asia. He is the symbol of indefinable and in-conceivable reality, which embraces all life.

Question 12

Why do Pure Land intone or invoke the name of Amida Buddha when they chant “Namu Amida Butsu”?

Answer 12

Namu (I take refuge in) refers to our foolish ordinary or “foolish” being and Amida Butsu, the infinite. By chanting nembutsu they receive strength for living & courage.

Question 13

Who was Amida Buddha and why is he important to Pure Land Buddhists?

Answer 13

Amida was born as a king and became a monk with the name of Dharmakara. He set 48 vows before entering nirvana. Believed that Amida has the power to save human beings.

Question 14

How did Pure Land Buddhism start?

Answer 14

Started in lay movement in Ghandara. Now Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Question 15

Why is Amida Buddha’s 18th vow important?

Answer 15

because not to attain the supreme enlightenment. His intention to create a Pure Land where beings can reborn if they say his name.

Question 16

In Amida’s 18th vow it states “saying my name even 10 times”. What does “Name” refer to?

Answer 16

Nembutsu homage to Amida Buddha and to contemplate Amida but took time to understand him.

Question 17

What is invocation of the name mean?

Answer 17

The action of invoking something someone or something. Calling upon someone. Pure Land Buddhists- falling up the help of Amida to save them.

Question 18

What could be said about the origins of Buddhism in Japan?

Answer 18

Heian Period (794-1185). According to Nihongi, the ancient chronicles of Japan from 720 AD, a Buddha statue and some sutras were sent to the Japanese emperor from a Korean King ( Kamukara Period 1185- 1333)

Question 19

What are the two main sects of Amida Buddhism in Japan and in what period of Japanese history did they emerge and flourish?

Answer 19

Jodo she and Jodo Shin Shu. During the Kamakura period (1185-1333).

Question 20

What does Jodo mean and who founded it and was one of his important disciples?

Answer 20

Jodo is the Japanese for ‘the Pure Land’ and Shu means sect. Founded by Honen. Most important one of them was Shinran.

Question 21

Why was early Amida Buddhism “ Jodo Shu” subject to Nembutsu ban?

Answer 21

Because the new popular forms of Buddhism preachers the recitation of the prayer Namu Amida Butsu. Some of Honen’s followers behaves in an unruly matter.

Question 22

How does saying Nembutsu in Shin Buddhism differ from early Amida Buddhism (Jodo Shu)?

Answer 22

Jodo Shu attracts great importance to the repetition of Nembutsu, whereas Shin Buddhism gives faith the pride of place; and Jodo Shu does not reject good acts as a means of salvation.

Question 23

In what way did the Japanese teacher Genshin and the Chinese Pure Land Patriach Shan-Tao influence Honen Pure Land school?

Answer 23

Genshin taught that chanting Nembutsu was sufficient for rebirth in the Pure Land. Shan-Tao greater emphasised on the Other Power of Amida and less meditation.

Question 24

What did Honen believe were the two main reasons for chanting Nembutsu?

Answer 24

1) Purify past sins in this life as well.

2) Nembutsu strengthens the 3 states of mind: sincerity, faith and aspiration.

Question 25

Why did Honen’s “single practice” school meet opposition from Tendai Buddhism?

Answer 25

Tendai leaders felt that Nembutsu should only be used in conjunction with other Buddhists practices.

Question 26

What is the distinction between the Holy Path and the Pure Land
?

Answer 26

The gate of the Holy Path is divided into 2 parts: the Mahayana and the Theravada. Even though persons may have studied the Holy Path, should leave and take refuge in the Pure Land.

Question 27

Honen’s advice concerning Nembutsu practice

Answer 27

Honen emphasised the three states of mind discussed by Shan Tao. Honen interpreted these to mean that one must recite Nembutsu with 1)sincere and devoted mind 2) a mind of deep faith and 3) strong aspiration to be reborn.

Question 28

Further reasons for what Honen says are the benefits of chanting Nembutsu

Answer 28

1) One’s mind from worldly experiences to an undivided attention to Amida.
2) Nembutsu frees the minds from doubts, disturbing evil or idle thoughts.

Question 29

How did Shinran view faith (shinjin) in Amida Buddha and why might it said to be going against the teachings of the historical Buddha?

Answer 29

Shinran understood that doing religious practice on the basis of one’s “self power” only strengthens one’s ego. Such practice and any results it may bring are poisoned with ego and selfish desire. True Pure Land must be based on the realisation that all attempts to progress in the spiritual life.

Question 30

Why does Shinran’s concept of faith turn the tables on traditional Buddhism?

Answer 30

Attaining the goal is another matter. As one advances based on one’s choice and efforts, one realises that the ego is hiding behind all one’s spiritual endeavours. This insight leads to a sense of helplessness.

Question 31

When in the experience of Amida’s grace, what Two Types of Deep faith does the True Pure Land devotee realise?

Answer 31

1) One understands the fact that one’s human limitations and spiritual defilements entail one’s own “calculated efforts” in the spiritual life are only hopeless attempts (self power)
2) One realises that the great action of Amida Buddha can save one from this condition, the greater one realises one’s sense of hopelessness the greater one’s assurance in Amida’s compassionate action.

Question 32

Shinran expresses his ideas concerning “other power” with the terms ACTION, FAITH and WITNESS (gyo, shin-sho)

Answer 32

It is the the action (gyo) of Amida Buddha that precipitates the arising of faith (shin) in the devotees mind. Amida enables one to realise the Two types of faith; one’s pitiful condition and the availability of Other Power. Faith then transforms one’s life in a way that gives witness (sho) to the presence and action of Amida Buddha itself. It is the enlightened mind of Amida Buddha that encourages the qualities of enlightenment.

Question 33

What does Shinran mean by “Nembutsu is NOT a practice”?

Answer 33

Since it is not something performed from one’s own calculations, it is not a good act. For the practitioner it is not a practice or a good act because it wholly arises from Other Power,free from any self power. It arises naturally spontaneously (Jinin).

Question 34

In his book “Kyogyoshinsho”, explain what Shinran means when says “The universal vow, so difficult to understand, is a great ship that carries us across the ocean that is hard to cross”?

Answer 34

It is root of all life “mystery of life”. One experiences the fullness of oneness.

Question 35

What is the doctrine of Shinran?

Answer 35

Influences by the doctrine of Mappo largely. Mahayana eschatology which claims to listen and practice Buddhist teachings deforested over time. Popular in Early Medieval Japan and China. Due to the awareness of human limitations, Shinran relies on the other power (tariki). So Buddhism can be seen “practiceless practice”.

Question 36

Shinjin

Answer 36

Goal is the attainment of Shinjin. Shinjin is the “faith”. The receipt of Shinjin comes from renunciation of self effort. Shinjin develops over time through deep hearing (Monpo) of Amida’s call of the Nembutsu. According to Shinran to hear means that sentient beings having heard the vows the Buddhas vow arose.

Question 37

Nembutsu for Shinran

Answer 37

Amida is the central focus of the Buddhist practice. However, Shin is seen a new way. Nembutsu is an affirmation of one’s gratitude. Nembutsu doesn’t consider as a practice or generate karmic merit.

Question 38

What are Soga Ryonjin’s views?

Answer 38

Dharmakara Bodhisattva symbolises ‘alayavijnana’ proving that Pure Land is Mahayana.
Dharmakara Bodhisattva is not separate from physical body but is it itself which manifests in all phenomenal bodies.
Amida is both innate and transcendent to sentient beings. To be awakened of the Original vow needs to acquire wisdom of knowing what one essentially is.

Question 39

D.T Suzuki’s Ideas

Answer 39

Shin means true and clearly ‘tariki’ other power.
2 differences between Shin and Jodo is 1) Jodo believes that Amida name should be read repeatedly; Shin focuses on FAITH. 2) Jodo encourages good works for a devotee. Shin believes that to be awakened must have faith in Amida.

Question 40

Prof Alfred Bloom

Answer 40

Other power is not a power outside the self but becomes manifest within ourselves. Talking seriously the principle of shunyata.
Religious faith became an end in itself and not a tool or means to an end. For Shinran the religious faith is ‘altruism’ putting wisdom into action.
Amida could be a ‘deconstructed God’ Strictly humanistic. Symbol of the deepest sense of the term ‘symbol’.
Reciting Nembutsu focuses on the deeper self reflection of reality. Inspiring self transformation.

Question 41

Similarities between Jodo Shu and Shin Buddhism?

Answer 41

• Chanting Nembutsu
• Pure Land is a provisional goal
• Both goals is to become a Bodhisattva to save others
• Both thought Honen and Shinran that dharma is difficult due to time (mappo). Single practice school to make it easier. Age of the generate Dharma.
• Difficult levels of truth. There is no difference because Shinran believed his practice was the truth but Honen had a different practice. Shinran believed his practice was representing the truest form.

Question 42

Differences between Jodo Shu and Shin Buddhism?

Answer 42

• Nembutsu is a single invocation showing gratitude to Amida. To give thanks if what they have instead of what they want (SHIN).
• Nembutsu is a perpetual chanting (Jodo Shu).
• Shin rejects Jodo Shu Nembutsu because increases ego. Need to be faith based.
• Jodo Shu you can do good works for good merit. However, Jodo Shin Shu says this will increase ego because you doing for the same of it and not because you want to. Rejects good works.