Pure Land Buddhism (quote, believe, Samsara, philosophy)

[DT113876]

I was involved with Pure Land Buddhism a while online (a Second Life lay group) , esp. after being told I had a brain tumor, I took refuge in Amitabha Buddha, chanted the Nianfo/Nembutsu, and found alot of peace. I had meditated in the past but I just found Pure Land Buddhism more appealing and simple- especially as I had left a church over 2 years before after comming out as bisexual and a crossdresser- I just felt alone and Pure Land was very community oriented. I have read about both Chinese and Japanese Pure Land sects, my favorite writers are Thitch Nhat Hanh's book "Finding Our True Home" and Professor Bloom's works on Pure Land Buddhism. "Living in Amida's Universal Vow" is a nice book, I read it while I was in the hospital getting a spinal tap.

"I vow to be reborn in the Buddha's Pure Land of Eternal Bliss with this merit / Repay the Four Great Gracious Kindness Above/ And aid those suffering in the Three Evil Paths below / May all who hear this bring forth the mind of understanding and compassion, and when this life is finished, be reborn in the World of Ultimate Bliss / I vow to be reborn in the Western Paradise, transported to the Pure Land through the lotus calyx with ease / As the lotus blossoms, I see the compassionate Buddha and Samsara ceases / In the company of other devotees, I cultivate in joy and peace / May the merits accredited from the recitation of this vow be transferred to all sentient beings / So that all who have vowed to go to the Western Paradise will be reborn in Amtabha's Pure Land"

[kevxu]

Though not a Pure Land believer, I do find that it blends in with other practice. And I will confess to simply having an affection for it based on the help its practice was to me.

After many years of alcoholism, in which my hangovers always involved terrible panic attacks, I managed to stop drinking through AA. Aside from other improvements in my life the panic attacks were reduced by about 85% simply by not drinking. However, they did not go away entirely. I used a drug to short-circuit them, but I really wanted a drugless method - and hopefully one that would eventually cure the problem.

This was just before I became involved in Buddhism, but having read a book by Prof. Bloom (or maybe Dennis Hirota or Taitetso Unno, don't recall now for certain), I just decided to buy a mala and when attack symptoms began to concentrate on reciting the nembutsu. Even though I had no belief in the Pure Land back story, I just put all my faith into this "method" and didn't worry about the rest. It was enormously helpful, and eventually using this method I achieved more and more success at heading off panic attacks, until they became a thing of the past in all circumstances.

Each night, in gratitude for this, I still recite the nembutsu on a mala, and a couple of other Pure Land selections that seem appropriate to help end the day with gratitude.

I have found Ippen an interesting early Pure Land preacher, and I like the following quote of his from a letter. It helps that I live very near the sea.:

"The realms of good and evil are all the Pure Land. Outside of this, do not aspire, do not renounce. Among all living things--mountains and rivers, grasses and trees, even the sounds of blowing winds and rising waves--there is nothing that is not the nembutsu. It is not human beings alone who share in the all-surpassing vow."

[kevxu]

Originally Posted by DT113876

... I have read about both Chinese and Japanese Pure Land sects, my favorite writers are Thitch Nhat Hanh's book "Finding Our True Home" and Professor Bloom's works on Pure Land Buddhism. "Living in Amida's Universal Vow" is a nice book, I read it while I was in the hospital getting a spinal tap.....

Thank you very much for your posting.

You may already be familiar with his books, but in case you are not I heartily recommend those of Dr. Taitetso Unno. They are on Amazon and other online sellers.

Many years ago, when the Internet was a much more informal and smaller place I had an exchange of email with Dr. Bloom, not knowing who he was at first. He was a very down-to-earth, humble person. And these are qualities that I have found in a number of Pure Land writers of various statures.

[Clark Park]

I am so delighted when I hear of so many beautiful and precious people in the LGBT community discovering and coming into the fold of the Three Jewels.

What a wonderful gift you have in recognizing and accepting the facets of your being as far as your bisexual and trans nature. You are unique and I send you warm greeting and wishing you the very best of luck.

Myself, I follow the Theravada tradition ... but all schools of Buddhism are dear to me.

[Nancy2011]

I was born in a Buddhist family. Following my grandparents, I started chant since I was 6 years old . However, recently, I have been vowing for my next life to rebirth in Pureland . What I did in the past that was just the habits that I learned from family tradition. Now, the more I research, learn and pratice in buddhism, the more I find how beautifull it is. It's not only religion, but the philosophy helps me release lots of stress .

[kevxu]

The realms of good and evil are all the Pure Land. Outside of this, do not aspire, do not renounce. Among all living things —
mountains and rivers, grasses and trees, even the sounds of blowing winds and rising waves —
there is nothing that is not the nembutsu. It is not human beings alone who share in the all-surpassing vow.

Ippen

[kevxu]

Here are some links in English to basic Pure Land Buddhist sites.

JODO SHINSHU HONGWANJI-HA OFFICIAL SITE

This is a link to Jodo Shin Shu, the largest Buddhist denomination in Japan.

JODO SHU English

This is a link to a Jodo Shu sect site. Very easy to navigate.

The Vihara of Compassion

This is a link to a Jodo Shu site concerned with death and dying, hospices, etc.

http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~qm9t-kndu/raikoji1.htm

Interesting link to the head temple of the Ji sect of Pure Land.

Ippen, hijiri - Articles - House of Hermits - Hermitary

Link about Ippen, the founder of the Ji sect.

Ippen

Another link about Ippen, short but interesting.

"Amida Looking Back" statue at Zenrinji Temple. Amida looking back for any stragglers to guide to the Pure Land.