Sometimes known as Amidism, Pure Land Buddhism is a branch of the Mahayana tradition, and the most common form of Buddhism in East Asia.
A pure land is the celestial home or pure abode of a Buddha or bodhisattva, a term that is specific to East Asian Buddhism.
Practices oriented to Pure Land concepts are a part of basic Mahayana traditions, and "Pure Land Buddhism" is used to describe the Pure Land doctrines of Mahayana Buddhism, as well as the Pure Land Buddist sects originating in Japan from the teachings of Hōnen, a Buddhist reformer who founded the Japanese Pure Land sect known as Jōdo-shū (Pure Land School) in the early 13th century.
In brief, Pure Land Buddhism is based on the concept that we will never have a world without corruption, so we must aspire to being reborn on another plane, one which is known as the Pure Land.
Although largely associated with Japanese Buddhism, the Pure Land teachings began in India, then found their way into Kashmir and Central Asia, reaching China as early as 147 CE. The popularity of Pure Land because of an awareness that humanity was incapable of Dharma, and that help was needed from another power, that of Amitābha Buddha, the celestial buddha of Mahayana Buddhism, who became the chief buddha of Pure Land Buddhism.
The principal sutras of Pure Land Buddhism reference Amitābha and his Pure Land of Bliss, which is known as Sukhavati. Other Mahayana texts also feature Amitābha.
Significant Pure Land traditions arose in China when the Donglin Temple was founded by Huiyuan in 402 CE. Raised in Daoism, Huiyuan began to view Daoist theories of immortality as unreliable or vague. Eventually, he turned to Buddhism and became a monk under Dao'an, who preached Maitreya, who is seen as a future Buddha in some Buddhist traditions, particularly in the Lotus Sutra of Nichiren Buddhism.
Pure Land doctrines quickly spread through China, and then to Japan, where they grew to prominence.
Today, Pure Land Buddhism is a significant tradition in Japan, China, Korea, and Vietnam. Approximately forty percent of Buddhists in Japan ascribe to Pure Land doctrines.
There are geographic variances in Pure Land traditions. For example, Tibetan Pure Land practitioners are likely to have retained the original orientation of seeking rebirth in the Pure Land, and may view themselves as a Buddha, while Chinese practitioners are more likely to seek guidance from a Buddha who is outside of themselves, and might consider Western Pure Land to exist only in the mind.
In Japan, Pure Land traditions have developed into institutional sects, including Jōdo-shū, Jōdo Shinshū, Yūzū-nembutsu-shū, and Ji-shū.
Modern Pure Land traditions view Amitābha expounding Dharma in a pure land of enlightenment, offering a respite from having to fall back to the lower realms through reincarnation. The Longer Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra describes this land as one of beauty above all others, and inhabited by gods, men, fruits, flowers, and trees that grant wishes, and upon which birds rest. One enters the Pure Land upon achieving enlightenment.
Mahayana Buddhism allows for many buddhas, each with a pure land, although each of the pure lands, except for Amitābha's, are called by another name.
Pure Land practitioners believe that there is evidence of dying people going to the pure land. This is seen in those who know the time of their death, and may prepare for it. They may also believe that souls who are to enter the pure land will leave the body through the fontanelle; therefore, the top of the skull will remain warm longer than the rest of the body if the dying person is entering the pure land. The dying person may also appear to be happy at the time of his death, or demonstrate other signs.
Topics related to Pure Land Buddhism is the focus of websites listed in this category, or any of its subcategories. These may be institutional or purely informative, and may even be oppositional.
Recommended Resources
Largely representing Pure Land Buddhist traditions in the West, the sect was founded by Venerable Master Chin Kung, a monk in the Pure Land school of Mahayana Buddhism, who is an advisor to more than a hundred Amitabha Buddhist societies and Pure Land centers around the world. Biographical data is set forth, along with his talks and books. Other resources include an overview of Pure Land Buddhism, stories on the tradition, and support for the dying.
http://www.amtbweb.org/
Buddhist Association Jōdo Shinshū in Germany
Registered as an association in Germany, the organization attempts to explain the Jōdo Shinshū sect of the Pure Land Buddhist tradition in English and in German, making it understandable to a Western audience, including Buddhism in general and the Japanese culture upon which the traditions are based. Its founder, Shinran Shōnin, is introduced, and the work of the organization in Germany is highlighted, along with links to further resources.
http://www.jodoshinshu.de/e_home.html
International Association of Shin Buddhist Studies
The IASBS was founded in 1982, and charged with developing Shin (Jōdo Shinshū) and Pure Land Buddhist studies, as well as offering fellowship and an exchange of information and ideas among its membership. Member organizations are featured, along with its membership policies, and districts. Its publications a newsletter, and a calendar of conferences, meetings, and other activities are posted to the site.
http://www.iasbs.org/
Jodo Shu Buddhism is a branch of the Pure Land Buddhist tradition founded on the teachings of Hōnen, a former Tendai monk. Jodo Shu Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan provides this English-language informational site, offering an introduction to Jodo Shu and Pure Land Buddhism, as well as to its founder, Honen Shonin. The teachings and practices, terminology, and organizational structure are outlined, and various publications are made available.
http://www.jodo.org/
Jodo Shu North America Buddhist Missions
Based in Los Angeles, California, the Buddhist temple is affiliated with the Pure Land School, serving a predominantly Japanese-American community, but expanding its reach to include non-Japanese followers in recent years. Its location and a calendar of events are tendered, along with an introduction and overview of Pure Land traditions, sermons and other informational articles, educational materials, and daily prayers.
http://english.jodoshuna.org/
The English-language website of the Pure Land school of Buddhism introduces the teachings and practices of Pure Land Buddhism, in the manner of the lineage of Master Shandao of the Chinese Tang Dynasty. Contemporary propagators of the tradition are introduced, and other resources include several publications in PDF format, essays and articles, eyewitness accounts, videos, arts, and calligraphy.
http://www.purelandbuddhism.org/
The informational site communicates the teachings, practices, and traditions of the Pure Land sect of Mahayana Buddhism to an English-language audience. An overview of Buddhism in general, four types of Buddhism, as well as Pure Land Buddhism is summarized, including its use of chanting, the Three Sages, and other traditions. A directory of Pure Land centers is put forth. Pure Land sutras and a glossary of terms are included.
https://purelandbuddhism.info/
Founded by Venerable Master Chin Kung in 2001, the school is operated by the Pure Land Learning College Association and located in Toowoomba, Australia, where Pure Land Buddhism is taught. Its founder and teachers are introduced, along with their writings and teachings, curriculum and training procedures. Information about its use of symbolism, the ten-recitation method, and representative teachings are included.
http://www.purelandcollege.org.au/
The Amitabha Buddhist Retreat Centre
Located in Nanango, Australia, the center facilitates the study and practice of Pure Land Buddhism. A summary of the facilities and its programs is set forth, including its history, a summary of the Pure Land Buddhist tradition, including its use of chanting, symbolism, and forms of practice. A schedule of retreats, costs, and application procedures, and a description of its teachings, including a library of downloadable materials.
http://www.abrc.org.au/
The Collected Works of Shinran
Sponsored by the Hongwanji International Center in Kyoto, Japan, and Myoko-in Temple, the site shares the body of writing of Shinran, a Japanese Buddhist monk who founded the Jōdo-shū sect of what is known as True Pure Land Buddhism or Shin Buddhism. Included is a preface, as well as his major expositions, hymns in Japanese, commentaries, shorter works, letters, and related works, available in HTML format.
http://www.shinranworks.com/
