Question 15 （Doubts and Questions about Pure Land）

by Elder Zen Master T'ien Ju

Question 15

I agree that the doctrine of grasping and rejection is correct and dare not discuss it further. However, I venture to think, is not rebirth in the Pure Land contrary to the Truth of Non-Birth?

Answer

Elder Master Chih I has said:

   “The wise, while earnestly striving for rebirth in the Pure Land, also understand that the nature of rebirth is intrinsically empty. This is true Non-Birth, and also the meaning of ‘only when the Mind is pure, will the Buddha lands be pure.’

   “The dull and ignorant, on the other hand, are caught up in the concept of birth. Upon hearing the term ‘Birth,’ they understand it as actual birth; hearing of ‘Non-Birth,’ they [cling to its literal meaning] and think that there is no rebirth anywhere. Little do they realize that ‘Birth is precisely Non-Birth, and Non-Birth does not hinder Birth.’”

It has also been said by a Zen Master:

    “If we understand Birth as meaning real birth, we stray in the direction of Eternalism; if we understand Non-Birth as meaning that there is no actual birth, we commit the error of Nihilism. Birth and yet no Birth, no Birth and yet Birth, is truly the ‘ultimate meaning.’”

Another Zen Master has said:

    “Birth is definitely birth, but returning [to the Pure Land] is in fact non-returning.”（89）

The explanations of these three Masters are very clear. I will  now give a broader explanation, through the two concepts of “Nature” and “Marks.”
     
From the point of view of Nature (noumenon) the True  Mind is wonderful and silent; its nature is inherently unborn  (no Birth). From the point of view of Marks, whenever there is a congruence of causes and conditions, the various Marks of  Birth and Death falsely appear, as in a dream, from the True  Mind. Because Nature is usually manifested through Marks, it is said that Non-Birth is Birth. Since Marks appear as a result of Nature, it is said that Birth is Non-Birth. When we truly understand this truth, rebirth in the Pure Land is rebirth in the nature (state) of Mind-Only; between Birth and no Birth, no contradiction in meaning exists!

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89. See Buddhism of Wisdom and Faith„ Section 27, for details.   

related post: 
Question 16 （Doubts and Questions about Pure Land）

Source Of Information:
《Pure Land Buddhism (Dialogues with Ancient Masters)》, by Elder Zen Master T'ien Ju, translated with annotations by Master Thich Thien Tam, printed and donated for free distribution by: The Corporate Body of the Buddha Educational Foundation (11F, 55, Hang Chow South Road Sec 1, Taipei, Taiwan), printed in February 2023.
*** The information provided above does not contain personal opinion of this blog.