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
The Saha world is also called “the evil world of the five turbidities.” Sentient beings in this evil world are full of karmic seeds of avarice, anger, ignorance, pride, and distrust. Some have committed more good than evil deeds, some more evil than good deeds, and some so evil that they have never done any good; however, none have done no evil and only good. That is the common karma and nature of sentient beings born in the Saha world.more
Dharma Master Jingzong
—— Master Shandao expounding the “deep faith in one’s roots and the Dharma” to reject incorrect views and follow Amitabha Buddha.more
The Source of Dharmakara Bodhisattva’s Aspiration
By Master JingkaiThe first part of the main section of The Sutra of the Infinite Life, in terms of the structure of the sutra, is judged as “the causal yuan of the Tathagata’s Pure Land.” “Tathagata” refers to Amituofo who, in the causal land, is Dharmakara Bodhisattva. This part explains why Dharmakara Bodhisattva wants to establish a pure land of ultimate bliss, the external yuan.[1] It also talks about the great solemn pledge Dharmakara Bodhisattva has made, which consists of his forty-eight great vows, and the extremely long period of cultivation, which belongs to the casual events of Dharmakara before he became Amituofo.more
News
- 01. Karmic Offenses, However Much, Do Not Obstruct Deliverance by the Buddha
- 02. The Source of Dharmakara Bodhisattva’s Aspiration
- 03. My Father Knew When and Controlled the Timing of his Rebirth
- 04. Master Shandao’s Teachings on Pure Land Buddhism: Faith in Our Roots of Potentialities, and the Buddha’s Teachings
- 05. An American Catholic Daughter-in-Law Assisted the Rebirth of Her Father-in-Law by Reciting Namo Amituofo