WJQ+Pure+Land+Buddhism

Pure Land Buddhism in China by Won Jun Choi & Kyu Park

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=History of Pure Land Sect.=

Pure land buddhism was migrated to China through two pure land sutras, An Shih Kao and Lokaksema at 150 CE. The origin of the Pure Land Sect is India, and it has spread to China once its scriptures were translated into Chinese. Such adherents as Hui Yuan and Tʾan-luan promoted the spread of pure land buddhism among the Chinese population.

Its practices and beliefs are found within the Mahayan Buddhist branch, a brach that controls most of the buddhist ideas of Asia not only including China and Japan, but also Korea, Tibet, and Taiwan. It had its largest spread in China, and had its only independent school in Japan; Jodo Shu and Jodo Shinshu. Other than Japan there has not been an independent pure land sect.

=Pure Land Sect Beliefs=

Pure Land Buddhism is also known as shin Buddhism and Amidism. It was most popular buddhism in east Asia, especially in Japan. In China it is called Qingtu, in Japan its called Jodo.

The central teaching of Pure Land Buddhism is that nirvana is no longer practical nor possible to attain in present day. Instead, one should focus more on devotion to Amihtabah Buddha, which will gain one enough karmic merit to be born on the Pure Land paradise, Sukhavati.

Amihtabah Buddha is one of the five wisdom buddhas, and his name means “Buddha of infinite light”. He is the buddha whose direction is represented as north, color represented as red of fire, and symbolized by lotus, which is probably the best recognized symbol of Buddhism. His embodies light and has wisdom of discriminating, which makes him an antidote of malignity. He is called Amida in japanese.

Pure Land Buddhism saw Amida as a person who refused to accept Buddhahood until eternal happiness is given to anyone who calls his name “Namu Amida Butsu.” In another mean, by dedicating to Amida, one can attain enough karmic merit to be born on Amida’s pure land, Sukhavati.

Image Citations
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