Question 9 （Ten Doubts about Pure Land）

by Tien Tai Patriarch Chih I
Translated by Master Thich Thien Tam

Question 9
   
The Western Pure Land is ten billion Buddha Lands away from here. Common, ordinary people are weak and frail. How can they reach it?

Answer
 
The Western Pure Land is described as being ten billion Buddha Lands away from here only with respect to the limited concepts of ordinary people with eyes of flesh and blood, mired in birth and death.

For those who have attained the pure karma of rebirth in the Pure Land, the Mind in samadhi at the time of death is precisely the Mind reborn in the Pure Land. As soon as the thought (of rebirth) arises, rebirth is achieved. Thus, the Meditation Sutra states that “the Land of Amitabha Buddha is not far from here!” Moreover, the power of karma is inconceivable. In the space of one thought, rebirth in the Pure Land is achieved. There is
no need to worry about distance.

This is analogous to a person asleep and dreaming. Although his body is on the bed, his Mind is travelling all over, to all worlds, as though he were awake. Rebirth in the Pure Land is, generally speaking, similar to this example.（51）

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51. The second part of this question deals with the issue raised in the Rebirth Commentary (second century, a.d.) as to whether women and certain other groups of people can be reborn in the Pure Land. Master Chih I answers strongly in the affirmative and cites the Meditation Sutra, which was preached expressly for Queen Vaidehi and her five hundred female attendants, all of whom ultimately achieved rebirth in the Pure Land. 

related post:  Question 10 （Ten Doubts about Pure Land）

Source Of Information:
《Pure Land Buddhism (Dialogues with Ancient Masters)》, by Tien Tai Patriarch Chih I, 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.