The Buddha Amitabha, 13th century, Kamakura, Japan.

Pure Land Buddhism (Chinese: 净土宗, Jìngtǔzōng; Japanese: 浄土宗, Jōdoshū; Korean: 정토종, jeongtojong; Vietnamese: 浄土宗, Tịnh Độ Tông), also known as Amidism, is a branch of Mahayana Buddhism and currently one of the more popular schools of Buddhism in East Asia, along with Chan. It is a devotional or "faith"-oriented branch of Buddhism focused on Amitabha Buddha. Rebirth into the Pure Land was assured the moment one first had faith in Amitabha. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1536x2048, 1304 KB) For camera information and shooting conditions see the EXIF info fields, contained in the file. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1536x2048, 1304 KB) For camera information and shooting conditions see the EXIF info fields, contained in the file. ... Amitabha Buddha and his two acolytes, Mahasthamaprapta and Avalokitesvara Amitābha is a celestial Buddha described in the scriptures of Mahāyāna Buddhism. ... (12th century - 13th century - 14th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 13th century was that century which lasted from 1201 to 1300. ... Crowds of visitors in Kamakura (Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine) Kamakura (Japanese: 鎌倉市; -shi) is a city located in Kanagawa, Japan, about 50 km south-south-west of Tokyo (to which it is linked by the railway line to Yokosuka). ... Relief image of the bodhisattva Kuan Yin from Mt. ... Buddhism is a dharmic, non-theistic religion, which is also a philosophy and a system of psychology. ... East Asia is a subregion of Asia that can be defined in either geographical or cultural terms. ... Chán is the Chinese name for the school of Mahāyāna Buddhism known in Japanese as Zen. ... Amitabha Buddha and his two acolytes, Mahasthamaprapta and Avalokitesvara Amitābha is a celestial Buddha described in the scriptures of Mahāyāna Buddhism. ...

Pure Land Buddhism is often found within larger Buddhist practices such as the Chinese Tiantai school, or Japanese Shingon Buddhism. However, Pure Land Buddhism is also an independent school as seen in the Japanese Jodo Shu and Jodo Shinshu schools. There is not one "school" of Pure Land Buddhism per se, but rather it is a large subset of the Mahayana branch of Buddhism. Tiantai (天台宗, Wade-Giles: Tien Tai) is one of the thirteen schools of Buddhism in China and Japan, also called the Lotus Sutra School. ... Shingon (真言宗) is a major school of Japanese Buddhism, and the most important school of Vajrayana Buddhism outside of the Himalayan region. ... Jōdo shÅ« (浄土宗 The Pure Land School), also known as Jodo Buddhism, is a branch of Pure Land Buddhism derived from the teachings of the Japanese ex-Tendai monk Honen. ... Jōdo ShinshÅ« (浄土真宗 True Pure Land School), also known as Shin Buddhism, was founded by the once Tendai Japanese monk Shinran Shonin. ... Relief image of the bodhisattva Kuan Yin from Mt. ...

The main idea behind Pure Land Buddhism is the East Asian world view that the Buddhist world was in decline and that Nirvana had become increasingly difficult to obtain for the common people. Instead of meditative work toward enlightenment, Pure Land Buddhism teaches that through devotion to just Amitabha one will be reborn in the Pure Land in which enlightenment is guaranteed. Pure Land Buddhism was particularly popular among commoners as it provided a straightforward way of expressing faith as a Buddhist. It was also popular among those on the outskirts of society, such as prostitutes and invalids, who were often denied spiritual services by society but could still find personal solace devoting to Amitabha. East Asia is a subregion of Asia that can be defined in either geographical or cultural terms. ... (Devanagari , Pali: Nibbāna िनब्बान -- Chinese: 涅槃; Pinyin: nièpán, Japanese: 涅槃, nehan, Korean: 열반, yeol-bhan, Thai: Nibpan นิพพาน ), is a Sanskrit word that literally means extinction (as in a candle flame) and/or extinguishing (i. ...

Overview

Pure Land Buddhism is based on the Pure Land sutras first brought to China as early as 148 CE, when the Parthian monk Ān Shìgāo (安世高) began translating sutras into Chinese in the imperial capital of Luòyáng [洛陽 (洛阳)] during the Hàn [漢 (汉)] dynasty at the White Horse Temple [白馬寺 (白马寺) Báimǎ Sì] . The Kushan monk Lokakśema [支讖 (支谶) Zhī-chèn ], who arrived in Luòyáng two decades after Ān Shìgāo, is often attributed with the earliest translations of the core sutras of Pure Land Buddhism. These sutras describe Amitabha, one of the Five Wisdom Buddhas, and his heaven-like Pure Land, called Sukhavati. There are a great variety of Buddhist texts. ... Parthia[1] (Middle Persian: اشکانیان Ashkâniân) was a civilization situated in the northeast of modern Iran, but at its height covering all of Iran proper, as well as regions of the modern countries of Armenia, Iraq, Georgia, eastern Turkey, eastern Syria, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Kuwait, the Persian Gulf... An Shih-kao (?-~168) (安世高; pinyin Ä€n Shígāo) was a prince of Parthia, nicknamed the Parthian Marquis, who renounced his prospect as a contender for the royal throne of Parthia in order to serve as a Buddhist missionary monk. ... Luoyang (Simplified Chinese: , Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: Luòyáng) is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province, Peoples Republic of China. ... Later Han redirects here. ... Boundary of the Kushan empire, c. ... Lokaksema (Ch: 支谶, Zhi Chan). ... Amitabha Buddha and his two acolytes, Mahasthamaprapta and Avalokitesvara Amitābha is a celestial Buddha described in the scriptures of Mahāyāna Buddhism. ... In Vajrayana Buddhism, the Five Wisdom Buddhas (Jp. ...

Although Amitabha Buddha was mentioned, or featured in, a number of Buddhist sutras, the Larger Sutra of Immeasurable Life is often considered the most important. In this sutra, the Buddha describes to his assistant, Ananda, how Amitabha, still a mere disciple, makes a great series of vows to save all beings, and through his great merit, creates a realm called the Pure Land, or the Western Paradise. This Pure Land is intended as a refuge for those who are weighed down by negative karma and cannot obtain Enlightenment themselves. Amitabha Buddha and his two acolytes, Mahasthamaprapta and Avalokitesvara Amitābha is a celestial Buddha described in the scriptures of Mahāyāna Buddhism. ... Standing Buddha, ancient region of Gandhara, northern Pakistan, 1st century CE, Musée Guimet. ... Ananda(Ch:阿難) was one of many principal disciples of the Buddha, a devout attendant and was renowned as the Ananda was the first cousin of the Buddha, and was devotedly attached to him. ...

Pure Land Buddhism played a minor role in early Indian Buddhism, particular the Mahayana branch, but first became prominent with the founding of a monastery upon the top of Mount Lushan by Hui-yuan in 402. It spread throughout China quickly and was systematized by Shan-tao (613–681). The philosophy spread to Japan and slowly grew in prominence. Honen Shonin (1133–1212) established Pure Land Buddhism as an independent sect in Japan, known as Jōdo Shu. The Buddhist Encyclopedia published another version of lineage that includes 13 Patriarchs of Pure Land Buddhism. Today Pure Land is, together with Chan, the dominant form of Buddhism in China, Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Relief image of the bodhisattva Kuan Yin from Mt. ... Mount Lushan is a mountain in the Peoples Republic of China (also known as Mount Lu), situated south of the city of Jiujiang in the Jiangxi Province, with Boyang Lake at its bank. ... Events Stilicho recalls troops from the frontiers of the Roman Empire to defend Italy against the Visigoths. ... Shan-tao (Chinese: ; pinyin: Shàndào; Japanese: Zendo) (613-681) was a very influential writer for the Pure Land school of Buddhism that is prominent in China, Korea, Vietnam and Japan. ... Events Clotaire II reunites the Frankish kingdoms by ordering the murder of Sigebert II. Saint Columbanus founds the monastery of Bobbio in northern Italy. ... // Events August 9 - The Bulgars win the war with the Byzantine Empire; the latter signs a peace treaty, which is considered as the birth-date of Bulgaria Wilfrid of York is expelled from Northumbria by Ecgfrith and retires into Sussex Births Deaths January 10 - Pope Agatho Ebroin, Mayor of the... Hōnen (also Hōnen Bo Genku) (法然; 1133-1212) was a Japanese born Buddhist and the founder of the first independent branch of Pure Land Buddhism known as Jodo Shu. ... Events Geoffrey of Monmouth produces the Historia Regum Britanniae Durham Cathedral is completed Construction of Exeter Cathedral begun June 4 - Lothair III is crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Innocent II Births March 5 - King Henry II of England (died 1189) Honen Shonin, Japanese founder of Pure Land Buddhism (died 1212... Events The first Great Fire of London burns most of the city to the ground Battle of Navas de Tolosa Childrens crusade Crusaders push the Muslims out of northern Spain In Japan, Kamo no Chōmei writes the Hōjōki, one of the great works of classical Japanese... The term lineage can refer to several things. ...

Contemporary Pure Land traditions see the Buddha Amitabha preaching the Dharma in his buddha-field (sa. buddhakṣetra), called the "Pure Land" (zh. 净土, pinyin jìngtǔ, jp. 浄土 jodo, vi. Tịnh độ) or "Western Pureland" (Ch. 西天), a region offering respite from karmic transmigration. The Vietnamese also use the term Tây Phương Cực Lạc (西方极乐) for "Western Land of Bliss", or more accurately, "Western Paradise". In such traditions, entering the Pure Land is popularly perceived as equivalent to the attainment of enlightenment. After one attains enlightenment in the Pure Land, rather than becoming a Buddha and entering nirvana, they will return to the samsara as bodhisattva and help other deluded beings in the six realms. Dharma (Sanskrit: धर्म) or Dhamma (Pāli: धमा) (Natural Law) refers to the underlying order in Nature and human behaviour considered to be in accord with that order. ... The Sanskrit language ( , for short ) is an old Indo-Aryan language from the Indian Subcontinent, the classical literary language of the Hindus of India[1], a liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, and one of the 23 official languages of India. ... Chinese (written) language (pinyin: zhōngw n) written in Chinese characters The Chinese language (汉语/漢語, 华语/華語, or 中文; Pinyin: H nyǔ, Hu yǔ, or Zhōngw n) is a member of the Sino-Tibetan family of languages. ... It has been suggested that Pinyin method be merged into this article or section. ... Japanese  ) is a language spoken by over 130 million people, mainly in Japan, but also by Japanese emigrant communities around the world. ... Vietnamese (tiếng Việt, or less commonly Việt ngữ[2]), formerly known under the French colonization as Annamese (see Annam), is the national and official language of Vietnam. ... Karma (Sanskrit act, action, performance[1]; Pāli kamma) ( ) is the concept of action or deed in Dharmic religions understood as denoting the entire cycle of cause and effect described in Hindu and Buddhist philosophies. ...

Adherents believe that over history, Buddhism as a religion declines naturally, and Enlightenment through one's own means becomes more and more difficult. This phrase is referred to as mappo in Japanese, or "Dharma Decline" and was a source of great concern in East Asian thought. Mappo, 末法 Jp. ...

Thus, adherents believe that Amitabha Buddha provided an alternate practice towards attaining enlightenment: the Pure Land. The main idea behind Pure Land Buddhism is that enlightenment is difficult to obtain without the assistance of Amitabha Buddha. Instead of solitary meditative work toward enlightenment, Pure Land Buddhism teaches that devotion to Amitabha will lead one to the Pure Land (reminiscent of Heaven) from which enlightenment will be guaranteed. Amitabha Buddha and his two acolytes, Mahasthamaprapta and Avalokitesvara Amitābha is a celestial Buddha described in the scriptures of Mahāyāna Buddhism. ... Amitabha Buddha and his two acolytes, Mahasthamaprapta and Avalokitesvara Amitābha is a celestial Buddha described in the scriptures of Mahāyāna Buddhism. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

This belief was particularly popular among peasants, and individuals who were considered "impure", such as hunters, fishermen, those who tan hides, prostitutes and so on. Pure Land Buddhism provided a way to practice Buddhism for those who were not capable of practicing other forms.

Some Pure Land Buddhists have taught that in order for a devotee to be reborn in Amitabha's Western Paradise or Western Pure Land, they should chant or repeat a mantra or prayer to Amitabha as often as possible to reinforce a proper and sincere state of mind. This practice is known as the nian fo (Ch.) or nembutsu (Jp.). In Tibet, many Buddhists carve mantras into rocks as a form of devotion. ... Mary Magdalene in prayer. ... Nianfo (念佛. Chinese pinyin nian fo; Japanese: nembutsu; Korean: yeombul), literally mindfulness of the Buddha. ... Nianfo (念佛. Chinese pinyin nian fo; Japanese: nembutsu; Korean: yeombul), literally mindfulness of the Buddha. ...

It is believed, that if practitioners chant Amitabha Buddha's name continuously, when their current life comes to an end they can be received with their karma by Amitabha Buddha (帶業往生). This fairly simple form of veneration has contributed greatly to its popularity, especially in Japan. Veneration is a religious symbolic act giving honor to someone by honoring an image of that person, particularly applied to saints. ...

Another alternate practice found in Pure Land Buddhism is meditation or contemplation of Amitabha and/or his Pure Land. The basis for this is found in the Contemplation Sutra, where The Buddha describes to Queen Vaidehi what Amitabha looks like, and how to meditate upon him. Visualization practices for Amitabha are more popular among esoteric Buddhist practices, while the nianfo is more popular among lay followers. Amitabha Buddha and his two acolytes, Mahasthamaprapta and Avalokitesvara Amitābha is a celestial Buddha described in the scriptures of Mahāyāna Buddhism. ... The Contemplation Sutra is one of the three major Buddhist sutras found within the Pure Land branch of Buddhism. ... Standing Buddha, ancient region of Gandhara, northern Pakistan, 1st century CE, Musée Guimet. ... Amitabha Buddha and his two acolytes, Mahasthamaprapta and Avalokitesvara Amitābha is a celestial Buddha described in the scriptures of Mahāyāna Buddhism. ... Amitabha Buddha and his two acolytes, Mahasthamaprapta and Avalokitesvara Amitābha is a celestial Buddha described in the scriptures of Mahāyāna Buddhism. ... Nianfo (念佛. Chinese pinyin nian fo; Japanese: nembutsu; Korean: yeombul), literally mindfulness of the Buddha. ...

Eastern Pure Land

In esoteric Vajrayana Buddhism, Amitabha's Western Pure Land is the counterpart to Akshobhya's Eastern Pure Land, or Abhirati. While especially recognized by the Japanese Shingon sect, Eastern Pure Land Buddhism is less popular than in Western Pure Land Buddhism. Etymology Esoteric is an adjective originating during Hellenic Greece under the domain of the Roman Empire; it comes from the Greek esôterikos, from esôtero, the comparative form of esô: within. It is a word meaning anything that is inner and occult, a latinate word meaning hidden (from which... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... An ancient painting of Akshobhya In Vajrayana Buddhism, Akshobhya (Sanskrit for Immovable One, Jp. ... Shingon (真言宗) is a major school of Japanese Buddhism, and the most important school of Vajrayana Buddhism outside of the Himalayan region. ...

See also

• Jodo Shu
• Jodo Shinshu
• Amida Trust
• Honen
• Shinran
• Ippen
• Yuzu Nembutsu
• Buddhism in China
• Faith in Buddhism
• Phowa
• Chionin Temple

Jōdo shÅ« (浄土宗 The Pure Land School), also known as Jodo Buddhism, is a branch of Pure Land Buddhism derived from the teachings of the Japanese ex-Tendai monk Honen. ... Jōdo ShinshÅ« (浄土真宗 True Pure Land School), also known as Shin Buddhism, was founded by the once Tendai Japanese monk Shinran Shonin. ... Honen Shonin (法然; 1133-1212) is credited with the establishment of Pure Land Buddhism as an independent sect in Japan. ... Shinran Shonin (親鸞聖人) (1173-1263) was a pupil of Honen and the founder of the Jodo Shinshu (or True Pure Land) sect in Japan. ... Ippen (一遍上人), a. ... Yuzu Nembutsu - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... Shakyamuni Buddha teaching. ... Faith (saddha/ sraddha) is an important constituent element of the teachings of the Buddha - both in the Theravada tradition as in the Mahayana. ... Phowa (Pho-ba in Wylie transliteration, also spelled Powa) is a Tibetan term for a Buddhist meditation practice that can be translated as the Practice of conscious dying, or Transference of consciousness at the time of death. The main form is one of the six yogas of Naropa although other...

Selected works

• Eitel, Ernest J. Hand-Book of Chinese Buddhism, being a Sanskrit-Chinese Dictionary with Vocabularies of Buddhist Terms in Pali, Singhalese, Siamese, Burmese, Tibetan, Mongolian and Japanese (Second Edition). New Delhi, Madras: Asian Educational Services. 1992.

External links

• Master Chin Kung, a promoter of Pure Land Buddhism
• Jodo Shu Buddhism official website
• Jodo Shinshu English Website Jodo SHinshu English website with the translated works of Shinran
• Amida Trust Home page of Amida Trust, A UK Charity that supports Amida-shu a Pure Land Denomination based in the UK.
• The Larger Sutra of Immeasurable Life
• The Pure Land Tradition (includes scriptures)
• A Contemplative View of Amida - The Buddha of the Land of Bliss
• Pure Land Learning College in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia

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