Master Jingzong; English translation by Foying, edited by Jingxing We may develop trust in someone by listening to their words. But sometimes that does not suffice, and we need to observe, investigate, gather facts and have firsthand experience before believing. Which of these two approaches shows greater confidence in the other person? Both Amitabha-recitation and Amitabha-contemplation take […]
Pure Land
Good to See Our Own Misdeeds
Master Jingzong; English translation by Foyi, edited by Fojin Some people get panicky when they become aware of their own wrongdoings. Others stay nonchalant, as though they don’t see any transgression. As a matter of fact, those who can see their own misdeeds have reason to be quietly relieved. By contrast, those who are oblivious […]
A Message from Amitabha Buddha to All Sentient Beings
From On Love A Discourse by Dharma Master Huijing Pure Land Buddhism Amitabha-Recitation Society, December 23 and 27, 2015 The Sutra of Infinite Life and Splendor says: May sentient beings caught in the various realms of rebirth be reborn soon in my land, so they can enjoy peace and happiness. Exercising compassion constantly to save all beings, I will […]
Master Huijing’s Dharma Words about the Purpose of Life
The purpose of life, put in a simple way, is “to aspire to be reborn in Amitabha’s Pure Land.” This is also the purpose of studying Buddhism, or, generally speaking, looking for answers of each of these questions: From where does a human being come? To where does he go after death? Which direction should […]
Is Pure Land Buddhism a “Mystic” Tradition?
A groundbreaking conference between Teresian sisters and priests and Buddhist scholars and monastics has just concluded at the University of Mysticism in Avila, Spain. During our time here among new friends and Carmelite masters, I had the chance to visit many churches in the Old City (the UNESCO-listed complex behind the grand walled fortifications) and […]
Postcard from Raymond: Cosmic Lotus
What will I see when I leave this world? Will my “sight” even be the kind of visual “seeing” that I’ve known all my life? What will I hear when I have no auditory organs? What will I bring with me when I sigh farewell? Nothing. I will have nothing. I can take zilch, nada […]
Amitabha All Around Me
Massimo Claus Amitabha is to me the air I breathe, the sounds I hear, the colors I see, the music of the sea, the chant of a child. I saw Amitabha among the flowers of a cherry-tree and in my stupidity feeding my fears. Shandao is His hand approaching me, so I chant the Sacred […]
Dark Night of the Sentient Being
Raymond Lam A while ago I read a post on Facebook, titled Dark Night, which was sharing a passage written by the pristine Pure Land master Ven. Jingzong. “In the silent wilds of the mountains, where there is a light from a window, there is vitality, even if the place is surrounded by abandoned graves. […]
My Dear Master
Raymond Lam Recently I got a call from my Dharma sister: my preceptor is bedridden in hospital after suffering a stroke. His health had been deteriorating rapidly for the past half a year thanks to having suffered several physical accidents. The Venerable is also 93 years old, about a decade older than Zen Master Thich […]