Welcome to the English-language website of the Pure Land school.
Our aim is to introduce to international audiences the teachings and practices of Pure Land Buddhism according to the lineage of Master Shandao (善導大師, 613-681) of Tang Dynasty China.Master Shandao, long revered in East Asia as an incarnation of Amitabha Buddha, is universally acknowledged as the de facto founder of the Pure Land school of Buddhism. Grounding his teachings in the three Pure Land sutras preached by Shakyamuni Buddha, he urged practitioners to aspire to rebirth in the Land of Bliss by reciting the name of Amitabha Buddha exclusively.
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After the Charter, it is necessary to be familiar with the school’s founder, for the former is based on the teachings of the latter.
The founder occupies a preeminent position in the school, unmatched by others. The founder of the Pure Land school was Master Shandao of the Tang Dynasty, widely accepted as an incarnation of Amitabha Buddha. He synthesized and completed the Pure Land teachings and wrote the Five Works in Nine Fascicles, which definitively laid down the thought and practices of the Pure Land tradition.
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English translation by Householder Jingtu
A “charter” outlines the principles characteristic of a Dharma school and sets forth guidelines for practice by its adherents.
The Pure Land Charter was drafted by Dharma Master Huijing. It serves as a manifesto for the Pure Land school, summarizing its evolution over more than a millennium, up to the present day. The Charter consists of 18 clauses defining the essential elements of the school and clearly lays out its framework.
The Pure Land Charter was drafted by Dharma Master Huijing. It serves as a manifesto for the Pure Land school, summarizing its evolution over more than a millennium, up to the present day. The Charter consists of 18 clauses defining the essential elements of the school and clearly lays out its framework.more
Dharma Master Huijing
Thesis: The Relationship between Amitabha Buddha and Other Buddhas Shakyamuni Buddha established Buddhism some 2,600 years ago. It reveals the truth of life and the universe and points the way to the liberation from samsara and attainment of Buddhahood. We focus our study on Pure Land Buddhism, our faith in Amitabha Buddha, and we recite Namo Amitabha Buddha exclusively. Some may wonder what the relationship is between Amitabha Buddha and Shakyamuni Buddha.more
Dharma Master Jingzong
Often we hear people say: “I know it is essential to recite the Buddha-name. But I would like to study other Dharma ways first. I will concentrate on nianfo at the end of my life. Well, at least he has the notion of nianfo. Unfortunately, he does not know what “end” means.more
The Guiding Principle of the Forty-Eight Vows
By Master ZongdaoLet’s talk about the purpose and the guiding principle of the forty-eight vows.[1] These great vows are not scattered without focus; rather, each is like a point on a circle, pointing to the circle’s center. They have one purpose. As Master Shandao states in his Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra: “The forty-eight vows of The Infinite Life Sutra say only one thing: “Rebirth in the Land of Ultimate Bliss by the exclusive recitation of Amitabha Buddha’s name.” It couldn’t be more obvious. While the forty-eight vows layout many things, they serve one purpose: to let us understand, “rebirth by nianfo[2] solely.”more