The Pure Land teaching relating to Amitabha and his Pure Land of Sukhavati can be placed into a broader context as follows. This highlights the importance of Pure Land study.
WHEEL OF LIFE
(Samsara or Cyclical Existence)
Six Emotions: Seeds of Rebirth
END OF LIFE
(Dying and Death)
Meditation and the Dying Process
THE BARDOS
What Should We Do in the Bardo?
PURE LAND
(Pure Land Topics Covered on This Website)
The Pure Land Here and Now
Pure Land Rebirth in the Future
Other Pure Lands
Hidden Lands
Sacred Lands
ENLIGHTENMENT
(Liberation or Buddhahood)
Questions for Personal Reflection
The study of Pure Land teachings can prompt one to further personally reflect on topics and questions such as:
(1) Self-power versus other-power
(2) The vital role of faith and devotion
(3) Rebirth into a Pure Land
(4) Buddha Amitabha and the creation of his Pure Land of Sukhavati
(5) Pure Land parallels and differences with Christian teachings on God and heaven
(6) Pure Land practice: liturgy and mantra recitation
(7) Experiencing the Pure Land here and now
(8) Other Pure Lands such as Shambhala, Copper-Coloured Mountain, Mount Potalaka
(9) The Pure Land as a great opportunity after death
(10) Origins and development of the Pure Land tradition
(11) What are: Pure Lands, hidden lands, and sacred lands?
(12) The nature of pilgrimage and the importance of making pilgrimage
(13) What is Phowa — the transference of consciousness?
(14) What is purity — and how is it related to the understanding of emptiness in Buddhism?
(15) What is the ultimate Pure Land — and is it Enlightenment?
Note: Hidden Lands and Sacred Lands
Hidden Lands (Tibetan: beyul) are places where the spiritual and physical worlds overlap. Designed as places of refuge in challenging times, Hidden Lands have particular relevance in our current dark age.
Sacred Lands are places where prepared visitors can experience heightened awareness and rapid spiritual progress. These include traditional places of pilgrimage, as well as sacred geographical locations.
Source: Andrew Holecek. “Pure Lands, Hidden Lands, Sacred Lands: Spiritual Pilgrimage for Dark Times.” A 3-Day Virtual Retreat. April 1-3, 2022.)
Alexander Peck (April 6, 2022)
Pure Land Buddhism is the most widely practiced form of Buddhism in the world. From its origins in India, Pure Land doctrine spread to China, Japan, Vietnam, and Korea, where it is the principle form of Buddhism.
There are over 100,000,000 Pure Land disciples worldwide. You may have studied and practiced Buddhism for a long time, and yet not realize there’s a form of Buddhism that is largely based on faith.
(Andrew Holecek, A 3-Day Virtual Retreat on Pure Land Teaching, April 2022)