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=__ Pure Land __ (净土宗) //Jìngtǔzōng//=

Introduction:
Pure Land Buddhism gave a chance of enlightenment for those that had a hard time meditating or keeping up with the rituals. It did not require a person to be clever or to be a monk. It focuses mainly on the Amitabha Buddha. It is a peaceful place where Karma and Nirvana can be easily achieved. It is greatly popular in Japan and China

 This painting of Pure Land Buddhism shows how peaceful and enlightened the place is. It shows that everyone is welcome and anyone can achieve their belief easily.

Short History :
The idea of Pure Land Buddhism started in India around 2nd century B.C.E. It rapidly spread to China around 150 B.C.E by monks. Honen (1133 - 1212) simplified the belief so that anyone could easily cope with the belief. He believed that Pure Land Buddhism could not be achieved if a person did not get help from the Amitabha Buddha. Later on, as time went by, Shinran Shonin introduced a new idea of Pure Land Buddhism which was The Shin Sect. The new idea was found in 15th April 1224.

This picture is of Honen. A monk who simplified the Pure Land Buddhism ideas so that anyone could easily achieve the belief. He greatly spread the belief to Japan and China.

The Shin Sect
The Shin Sect of the Pure Land Buddhism was founded by Shinran (1173-262). It was found a century after Honan's idea. It believed that chanting the name of Amitabha Buddha was not important, only faith was important. Shin Sect is often known as "practiceless practice" because there are no important actions. Shinran greatly emphasize the understanding of mappo. He thought that the world that he lived in could not be able to free themselves from the cycle of birth and death with their own power.

 This picture is of Shinran (1173-1262) who was the founder of the Shin Sect Buddhism.

< http://www.calgary-buddhist.ab.ca/aboutjs.htm> This pictures shows Shinran's voyage, spreading the new idea of Pure Land Buddhism, after his teacher, Honan.

Amitabha Buddha :
Amitabha means immeasurable light. The Pure Land Buddhists believed that the people whom called Amitabha for help would be reborn in Sukhavati (The Pure Land). Amitabha is not a God that punishes or rewards or even gives mercy. He is known as the eternal Buddha. http://www.springsgreetingcards.com/catalogs/store.asp?pid=333510&catid=22647 This Picture is a Amitabha Buddha who is regarded as the eternal Buddha to the Pure Land believers.

http://www.himalayanart.org/image.cfm/77611.html This picture is Sukhavati (Pure Land) where the people believe that they would go to after they are reborn if they call for help to Amitabha Buddha.

Nembutsu:
This is a symbol of Nembutsu. Nembutsu is a chanting practice that recites the words, "// Namu Amida Butsu" // ("I take refuge in Amida Buddha").

Nembutsu means "total reliance upon the compassion of Amida Buddha"
There are three different times for Buddhists to recite Nembutsu: 1) "Jinjo Gyogi" - Daily nembutsu, everyday life 2) "Betsuji Nembutsu" - takes place on a pre-determined date and time 3) "Rinju Gyogi"- chanted on one's deathbed

[[image:http://www.pitaka.ch/images/sakaki2.gif width="396" height="142"]]
This is the Larger Sukhavati Vyuha Sutra. This scripture is about Hozo Bosatu who makes 48 vows, mediates for years and become Amida Buddha which is the Buddha of infinite light and life. This mainly teaches the ideal of rebirth into Pure Land through faith.

This is the Amitayur Dhyana Sutra and its about the teachings to Queen Vaidehi, who was thrown in the jail by her own son. Shakyamuni teaches for those who are suffering and sorrow. The main idea of this scripture is finding salvation through faith.

Chanting :
The picture above is a statue of Amitabha Buddha. Pure Land Buddhists chant the name of Amitabha Buddha in hopes of being reborn into the "pure land" with enlightenment. Most chants are calm and relaxing and they are used for meditation and bowing. Pure land Buddhist bow towards Amitabha Buddha while saying the chants or listening to the chants.

Faith:
As mentioned before, Pure Land Buddhism has its center faith in Amitabha Buddha and faith means being one mind with the Amitabha Buddha. Faith in Pure Land is different from as it is understood in other religions. It is not a unreasoning faith, it is a faith that is found from wisdom. Without wisdom, faith cannot be found.

Tannisho:
Tannisho is a late 13th century short Buddhist text that have been written by Yuien, a disciple of Shinran. Tannisho is also known as the "Lamentations of Divergences". The text discusses the problems that emerged after the death of their founder and it's about a dialogue between the writer and Shinran.

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