About Pure Land Buddhism
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“Only repeat the name of Amida with all your heart… This is the very work which unfailingly issues in liberation…”
--Honen Shonin The essence of Pure Land Buddhism is the same as is at the heart of all great spirituality: how to put ourselves in relationship with unconditional love, and live a life that is open, spontaneous, compassionate and full of faith. In Pure Land, that great unconditional love is embodied by Amida, the Buddha of infinite life and light. We recognize that as foolish human beings we are full of greed and hate, and that we act selfishly and make many mistakes. Crucially we also recognize that, despite this, we are completely acceptable and lovable in that condition. Just as we are. In the language of Pure Land Buddhism what we are accepted by is the love of the Buddhas, and Amida Buddha in particular. We practice reciting the Buddha’s name in order to allow some of the spirit of that great love into our lives. Practising in this way, our lives become more meaningful. As we recognize our nature as ordinary flawed and fallible human beings, we become more sympathetic to the failings of others. |
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