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30 EASTERN HORIZON | TEACHINGS

Pure Land and Chan (Zen) the utmost humility and always Pure Land practitioners recognise
Apart from the Pure Land School, remember that without the the existence of mystical things
the Chan School is another major Buddha-power, their own efforts and phenomena, but they don’t
tradition of Chinese Buddhism. will come to naught. In the final revere them. They cherish the plain
The Chan School emphasizes on analysis, it is the Buddha-power and prize simplicity instead of
self-power. In this regard, the Chan that counts. It is Amitābha Buddha’s complicated stuff.
School is very different from the willingness and great vows to share
Pure Land School which relies very the fruits of his cultivation which Frequently asked Questions
heavily on Buddha-power. Because enable practitioners to be delivered A. �s the Pure Land a Paradise as
of their different dispositions and in the Pure Land. conceived by the Christians?
abilities, it is quite natural for The Mahāyāna Pure Land is very
Buddhists to choose different paths. Some do’s and don’ts for Pure different from the Christians’
It is not uncommon for Chan Land Practitioners concept of Paradise in two ways:
practitioners who have achieved a While Pure Land practitioners
certain level in their cultivation to should venerate their own tradition, • While it is true that there is no
shift course and embrace the Pure they must not disparage other suffering in the Pure Land, it is
Land School when they encountered schools. Where the perspective of not a place for enjoyment, but
an obstacle and could not move other schools differs from that of the most conducive place for
up to the next level in their Chan the Pure Land School, they should dedicated cultivation where
practice. At that stage, they realized respect the differences but do not great teachers and mutually
that the Pure Land School was follow them. supportive practitioners
another option for them to move to. are found. Each and every
In order to improve, they should practitioner is equal. The only
However, the convergence of interact frequently with like-minded difference among them is their
the various schools of Chinese practitioners. As for those who level of attainment of wisdom
Buddhism over time also led to follow a different path, they should (prajñā). But eventually, even
certain misinterpretation and keep a distance, lest be distracted that difference will vanish.
distortion of the underlying from the Pure Land practice. • The practitioners are not
principles and methods of the Pure supposed to be with Amitābha
Land School. One of the distortions Pure Land practitioners must avoid Buddha forever. It is not “living
is that its original emphasis evil and cherish good, be law- and enjoying happily forever
on Buddha-power (reliance on abiding, possess civic-mindedness, thereafter with Amitābha
Amitābha’s deliverance) shifted compassionate towards other Buddha” in the Pure Land.
somewhat to dependence on self- sentient beings, and treat people After gaining sufficient wisdom
power and one’s own capabilities. generously. They must be sincere and skilful means there,
and scrupulous in all relationships, practitioners must have the
“Complete reliance on Buddha- must not gossip or listen to gossip. compassion to return to help
power without any self-effort” They must avoid finding fault with other sentient beings who are
is a misinterpretation of the others, exposing private matters still suffering in Saṃsāra.
Pure land School. It requires of others or engage in flattery or
diligent cultivation on the part misrepresentation. They must B. Is Amitābha Buddha the same as
of practitioners. Nevertheless, always have a sense of shame the Creator God of Christianity?
“Reliance on Amitābha’s deliverance and be grateful for the Buddha’s
and Buddha-power” means that kindness, and respectful. Under all There are two important points to
although the practitioners put in circumstances, they must bear in note:
diligent efforts, they must have mind the law of cause and effect.