A Study Of The Thought Of "Amitabha Pure Land"

“Amitabha pure land” is the essence of Mahayana Buddhism, and the peak of the pure land Buddhist thought. The appearing of “Amitabha pure land” completely changed the previous narrow world outlook and view of the Buddha in Theravada. “ Amitabha pure land ” perfectly interprets the important proposition----“Amitabha’s vows are the pure land” and underlines the Mahayana idea of equality. At the same time, it provides a reliable basis to every-sentient-beings-being-able-to-become-a-Buddha thought. “ Amitabha pure land” thought’s perfection, is not imminent, but has a long historical process. Mahayana scholars’ continuous improvement to “Amitabha pure land” thought reflects human beings ’ pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. The special wonderfulness and conveniences of “Amitabha pure land” is not in the West, but in all sentient beings’ fine nature of perfect consciousness.No matter in India Buddhism or in Chinese Buddhism, “Amitabha pure land” is the center of pure land thoughts, which is not by chance, but depends entirely on The special wonderfulness and conveniences of “Amitabha pure land” that is beyond the reach of other pure land thoughts. In India Buddhism, “Amitabha pure land” was firstly advocated by Nāgārjuna, and then by Vasubandhu. However,“Amitabha pure land” thought did not take root, or yearn fruits in India.Ever since master Huiyuan of Lushan Mountain, in Eastern Jin Dynasty, founded Lotus Society and prayed for entering “Amitabha pure land”, “Amitabha pure land” thought has taken root in china. By the endless efforts of Chinese pure land scholars generation after generation, “Amitabha pure land” finally bloomed and yearned fruits in the East land, and formed pure land sect, which paralleled with the sects of Zen, Tiantai, and Huayen.“Amitabha pure land” idea originated in India Buddhism, and was carried forward in China.Pure land sect’s masters, on the basis of India Amitabha belief, boldly innovated new forms and contents of developing the Dharma,such as Tanluan’s thought of chanting Amitabha’s name and Shandao’s thought of relying on Amitabha’s original wishes and power, etc. Although there is only one pure land sect, the ways of developing the Dharma are various. The chanting name method advocated by the pure land sect, compared with India Buddhism, is very perfect, and has its’ own obvious characteristics. In this sense, pure land Buddhism is a sect with China’s features.Since the beginning of the birth of the pure land thought, it has received controversies and disdains, especially from Zen sect, which does not disappear even in today. The development of pure land sect, makes up for the belief missing in Chinese Buddhists. Pure land sect’s Bodhichitta problem, has been traditionally highly valued by scholars, however, has no a definitive answer till today. This article seeks to explain and answer this question from the perspective of comparative religion. To sum up, the pure land thought plays a vital role and has great significance in Buddhism, however, such an important thought is often glossed over by scholars, and is even criticized as superstition. In a certain sense, ignoring study on the pure land thought, you can’t really understand the meaning of Mahayana Buddhism.This article, from both historical and theoretical aspects, makes analysis and interpretation to “Amitabha pure land” thought. I Sincerely hope that pure land thought can arouse exchanges and discussions in scholars, which is my original intention of writing this article.