Question 19 （Doubts and Questions about Pure Land）

by Elder Zen Master T'ien Ju

Question 19

You said earlier that even ordinary people may reach the stage of non-retrogression. I venture to think that the stage of non-retrogression is limited to those who have no evil karma. Can it be that those who carry their residual karma to the Pure Land also achieve non-retrogression?

Aswer

Merely achieving rebirth in the Pure Land is attaining the stage of non-retrogression. As stated in the sutras:

   “Those who achieve rebirth all dwell in correct samadhi.”

It is also stated in the Amitabha Sutra:

   “Sentient beings who are reborn in the Western Pure Land are all at the stage of non-retrogession.”

The Treatise on the Ten Doubts [Question 6] states that there are five reasons why those who are reborn achieve non-retrogression:

“a) The power of the Buddha’s great, compassionate vow embraces and protects them;

b) The Buddha’s light [wisdom] always shines upon them, and, therefore the Bodhi Mind of these superior people will always progress;

c) In the Western Pure Land, the birds, water, forests, trees, wind and music all preach the Dharma of ‘suffering, emptiness, impermanence and no-self.’ Upon hearing this, practitioners begin to focus on the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha;

d) Those who are reborn in the Pure Land have the highest level Bodhisattvas as their companions and are free from all obstacles, calamities and evil conditions. Moreover there are no externalists or evil demons, so their Minds are always calm and still;

e) Once they are reborn in the Pure Land, their life span is inexhaustible, equal to that of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Thus, they can peacefully cultivate the Dharma for countless eons.”

The ancients have also said:

   “Without a vow to be reborn [rebirth cannot be achieved]; however, with a sincere vow, all achieve rebirth. Without rebirth in the Pure Land [the stage of non-retrogression cannot easily be reached); however, with rebirth, all achieve non-retrogression.”

related post: 
Question 20 （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.