The furnace of burning away doubts about rebirth in the Pure Land
Pure Land
In Review: “The Taming of the Demons,” Charles B. Jones’ “Pure Land”
Here are some books I’m reviewing or have recently reviewed.
A Boy Wielding a Sword. The Strong Connection with Nianfo, Part One
A message from the pristine Pure Land School
What Is Life?
Translated by the Pure Land Translation Team; edited by Householder Fojin. From purelandbuddhism.org By Master Huijing In the Buddhist Parable Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha explained to us “What exactly is life?” with a famous metaphor. The metaphor is like this. On a lonely autumn evening, in the endless wilderness, a traveler hobbled on his way. Suddenly, […]
The Radical Other Power of Shinran (1173–1263): A Normative or an Outlier Position in Mahayana Buddhism?
A one-day Zoom symposium was held on the 11th, sponsored by the International Association of Shin Buddhist Studies (IASBS) and the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Program in Buddhism and Contemporary Society at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver. “The Radical Other Power of Shinran (1173–1263): A Normative or an Outlier Position […]
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Attributes of the Pure Land Sect of Buddhism: Worldly Truths (2)
A passage from the I Ching can be taken as our “mirror” to reflect on the cultivation of morality – Scoundrels shift blame and snatch credit. Ordinary people cover up mistakes and flaunt their achievements. Superior persons decline acclaim and reward for their accomplishments. Those of surpassing virtue share the bitterness and blame from others’ […]
Master Huijing’s Dharma Teaching on the Infinite Life Sutra
The Infinite Life Sutra mainly reveals the cause and effect of Amitabha’s deliverance of sentient beings, and emphasizes the merits and virtues of exclusive recitation of Amitabha’s Name. The merits and virtues of exclusive recitation of Amitabha’s Name are vast. Whether you are a monastic or householder, a practitioner or not, you can exclusively recite […]
No Situation Can Defeat Amitabha-Reciters
Master Jingzong; English translation by Foying, edited by Jingxin There is no question, however tough, that can stump an Amitabha reciter. He may not find the right words for a perfect answer or may even run out of ammunition to defend his case. But he remains resolute. This is because he is blessed by the amazing […]
How Huayan Led Me to Pure Land
Guan Yin Temple. From Planet Lantau (see their temple photo gallery here) The first thing a visitor perceptive in Mahayana aesthetics notices at Guan Yin (or Kwun Yam, officially) Temple on Lantau Island, Hong Kong, is the pervasiveness of Huayan symbolism and imagery in the original hall, which was built in 1910, and the top […]
Love Versus Principle
Master Jingzong; English translation by Foying, edited by Fojin Love rules in a family, whereas legal principles rule in a court of law. Love is the name of the game for people who are fond of each other. But those who are in conflict resort to principles. A society will not be harmonious unless love […]