Buddha Sakyamuni specially taught the Pure Land Dharma to rescue all sentient beings in the Saha world. He enjoined people to recite Amitabha Buddha's name and make a vow for rebirth in the Pure Land. This wonderful Dharma was taught in the Amitabha Sutra and extolled by all the Buddhas in the ten directions. Pure Land is a special teaching adapted to all sentient beings in this Dharma-Ending Age.
There are many different methods of Pure Land practice. If a group of people practice together in a temple, there is a procedure set forth in the Pure Land commentaries. An individual who practices the Dharma of Pure Land alone bows to the Buddhas and recites either the Amitabha or the Diamond Sutra once each session. He then recites Amitabha Buddha's name five to ten thousand times, after which he makes a vow to be reborn in the Pure Land, saying: "I wish to be reborn in the Western Pure Land, with the nine grades of lotus blossoms as my parents. When the lotuses are in full bloom, I shall see Buddha Amitabha and be enlightened to the Absolute Truth, with non-retrogressing Bodhisattvas as my companions." This is done in the morning and then in the same manner in the evening.
Apart from these sessions, during the entire day, the practitioner just recites the Buddha's name and keeps Buddha Amitabha in mind, in thought after thought, without interruption, holding the name of Amitabha as his very life. Whether walking, standing, sitting or reclining, he always recites Buddha Amitabha's name. If he should meet with adversity or favorable circumstances and is moved to anger or to happiness, he need only concentrate on reciting Buddha Amitabha's name for the anger, defilement [and other mind-disturbing states, such as happiness] to cease.
Since defilement is the root of Birth and Death, we recite the Buddha's name to rid ourselves of defilement and avert the suffering of Birth and Death. If one who recites the Buddha's name rids himself of defilement, he can end the cycle of Birth and Death. If he can overcome defilement during Buddha Recitation, he can overcome it in his dreams. If he can overcome it in his dreams, he can overcome it during illness as well. And if he can overcome defilement when ill, he can overcome it in his final moments. Thus it is very clear that he can be reborn in the Pure Land.
This is not difficult, but a sincere, earnest mind is necessary for ending the cycle of Birth and Death. In reciting Amitabha Buddha's name, think of nothing else over an extended period of time, and you will then obtain great bliss. All practitioners should understand this Dharma. Anyone who can recite the Buddha's name and practice this Dharma is a true practitioner. Anyone who abandons this method will find no better way to achieve this goal.
Do not listen to people with heterodox teachings, lest you develop wrong views. There is a wonderful method [in addition to the oral recitation method described above] that I would like to teach all of you: picture a great lotus, shaped like a wheel and colored blue, yellow, red or white. During meditation and Buddha Recitation, always contemplate this lotus blossom clearly. Also, think of yourself as sitting on this lotus seat. Think about Amitabha Buddha emitting light, illuminating your own body. While visualizing, do not be bound by walking, standing, sitting or reclining positions. Also, do not be bound by time. Just visualize the Pure Land clearly. Whether your eyes are open or closed, [the image] should never be blurred. Even in your dreams you should still see Amitabha Buddha, the Bodhisattvas Avalokitesvara) (Kuan Yin) and Mahasthamaprapta (Shih Chih) and all other Bodhisattvas sitting each on his own lotus blossom -- all radiant and clear.
If the practitioner can visualize the lotus with complete concentration until the final moment, he can end the cycle of Birth and Death. At the time of death, the lotus will appear before him and he will see himself seated upon it. He will also see Amitabha, Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta, all coming to lead him to rebirth in the Western Pure Land, never to return to the Saha world, never again to endure the suffering of Birth and Death.
Anyone who practices the Dharma of Pure Land will achieve rebirth in the Pure Land in one lifetime. It is stated many times in the sutras that this is a direct method and the shortest route to the Pure Land. One need only take the shortcut of reciting the Buddha's name. Anyone who abandons this wonderful Dharma has no better path to follow.
related post: The Reason for Teaching the Dharma of Pure Land
Source Of Information:
《Pure Land of The Patriarchs》, by Zen master Han-Shan Te-Ch'ing, translated by Dharma Master Lok To, Sutra Translation Committee of The United States and Canada, New York - San Francisco - Toronto, published in March, 2001, distributed by Amitabha Buddhist Society Malaysia (92, Jalan Pahang, 53300 Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
*** The information provided above does not contain personal opinion of this blog.
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