Pure Land Buddhism
Pure Land (Shin Buddhism) is a system of belief based on pre-Lotus teachings. It promises believers a pure, blissful heavenly realm after death, through invoking the name of Amida (Amitabha), a mythological Buddha eternally residing in a heavenly Pure Land.
This form of Buddhism is based on duality of the mind, as Nichiren puts it in his letter “On Attaining Buddhahood in this Lifetime”: “There are not two lands, pure or impure in themselves. The difference lies solely in the good or evil of our minds.”
Pure Land Buddhism is based on belief in an outside power or “other power” -for salvation:
In his interview with Tricycle magazine, Ikeda referred to the difference between Pure Land Buddhism and the Buddhism of the Lotus Sutra: “.... the chanting of nembutsu, relying on and seeking salvation in Amida Buddha, is representative of the tariki, or “other-power,” approach. Nichiren’s practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo leads us to discover a power and wisdom that exists within us and at the same time transcends us. It embraces aspects of both the self- and other-power practices”.
The Lotus Sutra’s doctrine of revealing the Buddhanature in one’s current existence - constitutes a problematic concept for Amida Buddhism: because if the potential Buddha nature does exist - as the Lotus Sutra teaches - then it can be revealed during one’s life, and not after death.
SGI Buddhism Pure Land Buddhism
Aim: Attain enlightenment Rebirth in a Pure Land
in this life time after death
Devotion: Oneness of Person and Dharma 1.Statue of Amida Buddha, or
( Mandala Gohonzon) 2. Trinity Statues of Amida
Buddha : an Enlightened being of Three separate Buddhas for
Wisdom, Compassion, Action Wisdom, Compassion, Action
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The Origin of Pure Land beliefs Separation and dualism in Amida beliefs
Amida and Zen Exchange Shifting towards the Lotus Sutra
Traditional Buddhism Zen Buddhism Nichiren Shu Tibetan Buddhism Christian Beliefs