Those who didn't know original Abhidhamma (higher doctrine) made wrong ideas about Buddhism. I could confirm Abhidhamma teachings from a theory that I developed. Theoritically, everything is impermanent.
I am a Mahayana Buddhist and OMG I am really impressed at how you discussed our multiverse, even better than I would have explained. I do have to clarify the ten recitations apply to death. If you are in your deathbed and you recite the Amitabha sutra with all faith just even ten times you will go there to the Western pure land. For me though, based on my introspection, I would work on cultivating as much as I can while living this life. Even an "over" attachment to breaking the samsara can be a dukkha! Whenever I pray to Amitabha in the temple I always say that may I always aspire for buddhahood not just for me but for all lives I will encounter in my lives, if I ever get reborn in a higher form next life
I love that and am of the same opinion as a Hindu with lots of love and learning from Buddhism (I cannot see it as really distinct from my perspective). Attachment to moksha or nirvana in itself will bring us dukkha.
My mom is Buddhist in China. She used to take to me to temples during Buddha’s birthday every year. Ive always wanted to know more about Buddhism. Thanks for your great video
I think it was the late Buddhist writer Rick Fields who somewhat bemusedly noted that Westerners who encounter Buddhism are attracted to the more "heroic" forms, like Zen practitioners powering through the pain in their legs as they sit for hours facing a wall, or Vajrayana students doing thousands of prostrations. The Pure Land schools, with their simple devotional and contemplative practices integrated into everyday life, are somehow seen as less compelling, despite the fact that they are actually more widespread and inclusive. So I much appreciate the props given to them here... kudos!
It's because for many people interested in Zen or Theravada, Pure Lan seems to much like something familiar, like Christianity, so they tend to dismiss it.
@@heyhey8626 Zen is a school of the Mahayana tradition. There are different schools in Zen Buddhism and some schools include pure Land teachings and others don't. Chan is the original tradition of Zen and it does include pure Land teachings, but the main Zen schools of Japan (Renzai and Soto) do not. In the Kwan Um school the one I practice we do not include Pure Land teachings. Hope my rambling explained a little bit.
Thank you for this video. As someone who is currently studying Buddhist philosophy at the graduate level, I appreciate the degree of nuance in your discussion of this oft-neglected tradition. It's all too common for Western commentators to paint Buddhism and other "Eastern" religions with the same brush, ignoring the diversity and often highly specific distinctions present in these traditions. I personally find the question of whether we are to think of these pure lands as literal or symbolic realms to be an especially interesting question. Thank you for always producing such high-quality content on an often overlooked discipline.
I have a decent understanding of Theravada Buddhism and simply haven't felt drawn to any other tradition. As such, I know very little about Pure Land. I have the (admittedly not so generous) impression that Pure Land is a spiritual shortcut approach to Buddhism: "Let the big guys do the work for you!" And, I see these Buddhas as Christ-like figures: "Just believing in me is enough get you to where you want to be." That being said, I'll be the the first to admit that these notions are based largely in ignorance; and, I'm willing to know better why they're off-base, if you'd care to speak to it.
@@petewerehere I actually share your impressions, and for that reason have always been more drawn to the Chan/Zen tradition. That being said, one has to be careful not to make hasty parallels (I often have to remind myself of this). I think you're right to point out the similarities between Amitabha and Christ as far as soteriology is concerned, but those who take the Mahayana notion of non-duality seriously enough would deny that the Pure Land is completely transcendent or that Amitabha is ultimately different from you or me. Of course, there's a lot of diversity in any tradition, and I'm not an expert on Pure Land specifically (my strongest expertise is in Madhyamaka), but hopefully my reply adequately speaks to your comment.
Don't feel bad. Most who are born into a religion will not know much depth about it and are often drawn to a different path. I was born in a Catholic/Lutheran house, which is already "a house divided." but as you can see by my Dharma name...
Excellent video, thank you. I'm a religious studies teacher in England and the quality (both of the research and production) of your videos is superb. They've really helped me to maintain and grow my subject knowledge into new areas (as well as indulge my own interests).
That's good to hear Mark. My religious studies education at secondary school was not the best so it's good to see young teachers into this sort of thing.
Very good video and pretty thorough presentation. One thing that should be emphasized to a Western audience is that Buddha Dharma isn't as rigid in its "denominations" as Christianity and there is overlap in practice and beliefs. While a Pentecostal would almost never be seen praying in Adoration of the Eucharist, it is very common for Zen Buddhist to offer Pure Land prayers to Amitabha or a Theravadan monk learning from a Mahayana priest.
Yes, this is a problem with people who have a superficial understanding of Buddhism as many comments on this video reflect. People are making comparisons to Western religious and philosophical systems not realizing that Buddhism leans towards non-sectarianism due to emphasizing non-duality. Rather than attempting to understand Buddhism on it's on terms, people tend to perceive it through preconceptions.
@@Rabbithole8 Exactly. So many people in the West approach Buddha Dharma on the terms they would approach another Abrahamic religion. They don't understand that it is an entire different paradigm than the worship of some creator deity. They need to empty out their proverbial tea cup that's overflowing with misconceptions.
The idea that buddhism is always ecumenical between its sects is also a western idealization. For instance, Nichiren Buddhism sought to eliminate all other practices in feudal Japan, and saw only the lotus sutra as the one true revelation. And the ikko ikki of the true pure land movement would say "the mercy of the Buddha should be recompensed even by the pounding of flesh to pieces." When violently seeking to establish their own religious enclave apart form the existing feudal structures. See religion in Japanese history, Joseph kitagawa, pg 117. I am sure one can find similar examples in Chinese history, but these are the ones I am familiar with.
@@duffneill4618 I did not say Buddha Dharma was always ecumenical. Just that it is not in its nature sectarian like Christianity or Islam. There was always the issue of the Fifth Dalai Lama going full-Stalin on the non-Gulag schools of Tibetan Buddhism. But that sort of thing is almost always localized and temporary.
@@duffneill4618 Sure, but one must also be careful not to make the part for the whole fallacy. The Ikko rebels is a good example. It must be understood within the context of Japanese history, with the rejection of the daimyo ruling class, and that it was a particular group of people in a particular time of Japan. Nichiren does have a fanatical bent which is antithetical to most Buddhism. That is the point, we can compare Buddhism generally by looking at it as a whole (its core teachings and practices) and how it is manifested in most of the sects. Then there are outliers like Nichiren. Your point about not idealizing Buddhism is a good one, but I would add the recommendation of understanding the religious, historical, and social contexts. This understanding is essential.
It is vital that the vast world of Buddhism be made accessible to people of all faiths. Your lecture here, Andrew, is a useful and accurate introduction to one of the most influential schools of Buddhist thought and practice. Another superb effort on your part.
Yay! Finally Pure Land Buddhism, it is the most interesting form of Mahāyāna, especially Jodō-Shinshū. I'm currently studying the "origins" of Pure Land Buddhism in India and the adaptations of Sukhāvatī in Tibet. Namo Amida Butsu!
@@veerswami7175, What a pity for you. But it's not completely your fault. What Noah G said is ambiguous. It means either the origins were in India or Noah G is physically in India studying the origins. A lesson: when there's ambiguity, first ask for clarification.
07:42 I'm smiling when I watched this part because i can think of one example of this tradition represented in the first Mummy movie. When Benny firstly encounter Imhotep he grabbed a bunch of necklaces and amulets. And one was very likely of Amitabha's image and he also called upon a bodhisattva for protection.
I remember once I was an event coordinator for a summer exchange with a Japanese university at my American university. My job was basically to take the Japanese students out into the city to baseball games, museums, and other stuff in the afternoons and evenings after a morning of intense English lessons. Some American students from the Japanese Studies department would help me out, partly to practice their Japanese as well as make friends. One day we had a free day and I took a small group to Ikea to, you know, take hilarious selfies in the mock rooms. As we were walking, we saw a Buddhist temple. Background, the uni the Japanese kids were from was associated with this branch of Buddhism and so they were kinda religious and wanted to go in and pray since they haven't done so since arriving in America. The people running the temple were really nice and surprised to meet some people from their sister campus in Japan. There were two Americans with me: one a general white boy like me and another who was a second generation Lao American, and her family was Buddhist. Anyways, as we watched the Japanese students do their prayer ritual, the other American kid was really surprised. He really thought Buddhism was just sitting quietly and discussing philosophy, and had no idea that it was also a lot of ritual and pomp like Christianity. Seeing this video reminded me of this little story from ten years ago, and nice to see a video about Buddhism which doesn't reduce it to orientalism or strips away the religion to only examine the philosophy of it, but describes an aspect of Buddhism as it's popularly conceptualised. :D
Wow! Fantastic video! I've been studying Buddhism my entire adult life starting from interest in Zen, transitioned to a long period of solitary practice in Chinese Pure Land Buddhism which. in turn, lead me further study and practice under Tibetan Lamas. It is entirely fascinating to see how you've structured this explanation in a much more academic and Westerner-friendly way than I'm used to! Some of these incredibly esoteric concepts that you touch on, you yourself seem to have a very deep understanding of. Really inspiring work, a piece like this can truly benefit so many.
Thank you so much for this video. Not only because I really like the topic of Pure Land Buddhism (I'm a Jodo Shu Buddhist) but because now I can show this video around to people who asks about a well explained and comprehensive, but not too long, explanation of the Pure Land tradition without it focusing on only one interpretation. As always you manage to explain very clearly and accurately the concepts, history, and different interpretations of a religious tradition. I'm not a religious scholar by a long shot, but I do can say that I have studied religions academically for a long time and can grasp the concepts and ideas quite well. So I can say you've never dissapointed on accuracy, explaination, and non-bias. These reasons are why I love your channel so much and can always learn something new from you without having to worry about the information being faulty, biased or outdated. Keep it up!
Thank you for actually treating the buddhist denominations more deeply - so few quality, scholarly videos go much deeper than the basic history and development.
I'm a Pure Land Buddhist and have been so impressed with the quality of this series so far! These have become my go-to resources to link for people interested in learning about Buddhism.
Man, you are doing an amazing job with the buddhist videos, explaning concepts that are REALLY difficult to grasp in such mastery I am at awe. I was raised in a city with a large pre-war japonese colony in it, we have several temples in town from many schools (all mahayana, most pure land and some nichiren), and you helped me finally get some of the stuff they talked about I heard since childhood but never really understood.
This is a WONDERFUL introductory video to pure land dharma!! I've personally done some of the pure land meditation practices and they are very powerful. If you practice a lot, Amitābhā shines through the light of your consciousness and shows you Sukhavati right there on your meditation cushion. Thank you for this concise explainer!
I did a semester-long class on Buddhism and didn't really come away with a clear idea of the Mahayana approach and what role the cosmology served. Thank you for this super clear explanation. I know that if the dig further, I'll now be starting from a greater place of understanding.
Do you believe Amitabha and Pure Land are symbolism, or actual Person and place, and why? I believe Amitabha and His Pure Land is real. Thank you. Namo Amida Butsu.
I grew up autistic, but Buddhist teachings were somehow always in my psyche. After years of confusion and loss, I became a Buddhist a decade ago. I'm very skeptical, so I spend a lot of time contemplating what is relevant. I'm a Tibetan Buddhist, and my inclination is toward the Vajrayana. I have taken my vows; then I realized I had done this before. When my mother died in 2013, I participated in a Sukhavati service for her. I consider myself devoted without any kind of worship involved. To me, Sunyata implies that there is no solid reality; the fact which makes all universes and parallel realities possible. The Buddhist multiverse makes perfect sense, after all.
I feel the exact same and understand every single word of what you wrote. I was wondering if anyone else thought the same. I discovered it and it just all made sense with what I already felt was the right thing to do. And then I just continued doing so while knowing it's the right thing. Does this count as practice? Meditiation is easy for me, not thinking about anything is alleviating and very calming. I cannot possibly describe this state of mind the way I feel it, but it really is something of an open emptiness, somewhat of an all-connectedness with truth whilst being detached from any surplus. I mean I read a lot of quite literal translations of Pali and Mahayana texts, but they are just repeating the same thing every time, just with different examples and metaphors and idk it just all clicks and I nod and say "Makes sense right? Been doing that all the time, feeling great." and everyone just stares at me blankly not realizing the simple truth that is written right in front of them. It seems like it is just the right and most rational thing to be a buddhist in every regard. I come up with similar metaphors in everyday life when trying to explain anything really and people seem to understand and like them, but for me they just hop in and out of my mind all the time because they make sense. Sometimes, I think, people forget to just live and be content with themselves and harmonious with all their surroundings. Is it really so difficult for them? Can't they just be as happy and at ease with their minds as I am? I also am constantly being confronted with "good" people just instantly liking me and drawing near me fascinated like I'm a magnet, while other people that have yet a longer path before them - let's phrase it like that - are either not concerned with me at all, lose interest in despair and might learn something or just don't appear in the first place and try to avoid me. It feels like the most natural of all paths with the minimum of my personal input is giving me all the output needed to make my life content and rich in meaning. But why isn't anyone seeing how clear it all is?
I first encountered Pure Land Buddhism when I read "The Tale of the Heike" in a college history class. The book, an account of the Genpei War of the 1100's, presents Japan as a society that has already been extremely permeated by Pure Land Buddhism. Characters who were defeated in war often retire to "chant the name of the Amitaba Buddha" the way that modern disgraced politicians resign to "spend more time with their families".
I’ve been Buddhist for twenty years, mostly as a solo practitioner bouncing between Theravada, Tibetan, and plum village (the tradition founded by Thich Nhat Hanh). Even as an atheist I find my practice more and more focusing on the six perfections, four immeasurables, and living a life of compassion there is something that definitely attracts me to pureland Buddhism, which feels odd as someone who comes from a family of intellectuals.
Lord Buddha taught that suffering can only be alleviated through the Eightfold Path, he never claimed to be a god. Understanding suffering is the key, and it requires experiencing a great deal of it. Pure Land is simply a wrong path.
I'm continuously impressed by the quality of your research, especially when covering the mentality of the diverse array of Buddhist thought out there. Solid work!
While in a Religions of Asian class in university, which should have like 3 different classes, the book we used dismissed Pure Land Buddhism as "Christian Buddhism". After some time I decided to read more about Pure Land Buddhism of Japan. It was defiantly a lot more interesting how the my text described it.
I really hope there will be many more videos on Buddhism in general. Love this channel and Greatly appreciate this one. Have you done one between the differences of Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana? or about the different lineages of Tibet?
I'd love for you to cover Shingon Buddhism. I'm fascinated by esoteric Buddhism, and Shingon recognizes 13 deities, including the ones you've mentioned here -- Kuanyin, Amithaba, Jizo, Manjusri, Maitreya, the Medicine Buddha, and the historical Buddha. It's difficult to find information on the remainder, aside from Vairocana and Fudo Myo-o.
I was introduced to Mahayana thought through Trungpa's "Training the Mind and Cultivating Living Kindness". I recommend it highly. The earlier small blue paperback is best version, imo.
Thank you so much for your Buddhism videos! I’ve been exploring Buddhism as a possible spiritual path, and your videos break it down in ways that books and other videos haven’t. Will you do a video on Zen Buddhism in the future? I’m loving your series on this subject, and would love to learn more!
The "realization of [sunyata] of all phenomena" reminded me of dialectical materialism as explained by Marx and Engels; all things become their opposite, quality arises from quantity, and a does not equal a. Great video!
I almost wish I had never started studying Buddhism - it’s so vast and complex. Thanks for this ultra-concise video - I think it needs several watches to cement the concepts.
Thanks for this video. I remember watching anime with different Buddhist philosophies and having trouble with finding decent information like 20 years ago. Lol. This is wonderful.
I hope you’re planning on doing a video on Wrathful Deities at some point! They are fascinating as they are frightening in countenance and yet objects of devotion and meditative reflection, which seems quite distinct from how Western culture looks upon scary, demonic-looking supernatural beings
When I first heard of this when I was a Catholic I thought the Pure Land was like a much more pleasant equivalent to Purgatory, I’ve heard before many of the concepts mentioned here but I didn’t know their context so thank you for making this video
An opportunity for me to pay homage to the Rev. Jack Austin, of the Pure Land Buddhists: if belinging to that made you the man he was when I worked with him in the World Congress of Faiths over 40 years ago, it's worth a good look. Never forgotten, Rev. Austin.
Great video! An important point brought up is that all Mahayana traditions from Tibet to Japan have been influenced by the Pure Land tradition. For anyone interested in Pure Land teachings I suggest "Pure Land Pure Mind" a selection of letters by the Chinese Pureland Master Yin Kuang.
I have, for over a decade now, moved from the esoteric and exotic form of Mahayana Buddhism that projects an ideal (idealized) scheme and various fantastic dimensions of the worlds of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to a more down-to-earth, realistic and humanistic form of Buddhism that focuses on the most fundamental training of the 37 requisites for enlightenment in early and Theravada Buddhism. I always ponder within myself, if anyone can attain a fast-track route to gain enlightenment in any pure land under the guidance of a Buddha or Bodhisattva, his status is not more than a disciple Arahant, as the Buddha is far beyond that, as one who attained enlightenment all by himself and can help others who connected to him to attain the same level of awakening as himself.
You are right. We go to Amitabha Pure Land to continue our training. Since it’s almost impossible to attain Arahant in this day and age. That’s the compassion of Amitabha Buddha. Here’s my two cents in lay man’s term. Amitabha Buddha 🙏❤ Amitabha means infinite, infinite light, infinite life. So Amitabha Buddha also means infinite enlightened ones or infinite Buddha. Thus Amitabha Buddha is also the name of all Buddha, therefore reciting this name/mantra, you are connecting with all Buddha and Buddha in yourself. When you recite a Buddha's name. You are thinking of the Buddha, you want to be with the Buddha, you want to be Buddha. And what does Buddha mean? Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path and all that Buddha taught, and the compassion in vows they take, and trained so hard and long to achieve. So when you are reciting the name of Buddha, you are focusing your action, you mind, and your senses on Buddha, and not wandering on deviant path. At the same time, we are practicing letting go of all thoughts, good or bad, letting go of the wrongful attachment of the body, letting go the this illusion of life, for the sack to attaining enlightenment so we can help all others. As before we are enlightened, the I, the self is one of the “others” that we should help. Since we are in an era where our mind is trained almost ADHD like compare to people in the old times, so it's much hard to concentrate, to let go and achieve no mind. By focusing on the recital of Amitabha Buddha, the name the mantra, it's much easier. And instead of focusing on breathing, candle-light, flower, or any other things, by focusing on Amitabha Buddha, the name of all Buddha. Your mind is tuned to the most positive wavelength/deed there can be. The more you understand Buddha and his teaching, the more meaningful this practice become, as every recital reminds you of what Buddha means and encompasses. And the compassion of Amitabha Buddha's vows. It is in this way, that it's all encompassing, and no mind, no self. Be Buddha. 🙏 And what do you want to do when you become Buddha？ Check out Amitabha Buddha's 48 vows for some amazing copyright free templates. All vows are features and functions aimed to help others reach enlightenment, non to seek own enlightenment, nor free self of suffering. That's pure compassion, and the right path. In Pure land Buddhism, the ultimate goal in this life is to practice the way of Buddha and be notified the time of your own death, and to leave this world the way you choose, to Amitabha’s pure land. Some leave standing, some leave sitting cross-legged, some laying down. But those who practiced well, leave knowingly, and peacefully. In Taiwan we also have “Helpers Chant Groups” that would take turns and chant Amitbha Buddha/Amituofo next to the deceased for 8-12 hours after the death, to help the deceased the last league of their journey. To be able to stay calm and clear minded at the moment of death is really hard, that is the true test. All the chanting in your life is to practice for this moment. We have seen some people that leave with the last chant echoing in their mouth(very few). Some died with a face in fright/agony, but gradually turned peaceful and the body become soft instead of rigid. So unlike what some would think, that Pure Land Buddhist only have to chant the mantra and not need to follow Buddha’s teaching. In Pure land Buddhism, we adhere to the teachings of Buddha as much as we can, and learn as much as we can in the teachings of Buddha so to strengthen our faith and understanding, so to prevent “obstacles”, cold feet, and wrongful habits from showing up its bad karma at the moment of death. Master Yin Guang said:”Do all that is good, refrain from all that is bad, clear/purify your mind/intent and that is Buddhism. And chant as if death is here today.” Do things that you “have to do”(eat, sleep, work to put food on the table, and requests for help that you are able to provide), and the moment you are done or have a break, let all thoughts go, and chant to remember the way of Buddha. When people praise you, pay no mind, and chant Amitabha. When people criticize you or make you suffer, thank them for ridding you more bad karma, pay no mind and chant Amitabh. Because nothing in this impermanent world that we will leave should you attach yourself to, and cause your own suffering over. Join the Buddha and Bodhisattava, and be enlightened, so that you can help all those connected to you who are suffering because they think all is real, and that they are suffering. All these mindset and understanding, we reinforce and delve deeper into with every recital of Amitabha Buddha. And when all you think is Buddha and see Buddha and Buddhisattva in everyone, in everything, and respect them and love them as much, you make this life Pure Land. There are mainly two sutras available in Chinese that talks about Pureland Amitabha Buddha（The Sutra On Contemplation Of Amitayus, and Amitābha Sūtra）, and these are one of the very few sutras that Buddha spoke without being asked. But there are also vital references of Pureland Amitabha Buddha in other Sutras that it is the go to practice by prominent bodhisattvas through which they obtained their enlightenment.（there are many levels of enlightenment, and many levels of bodhisattva) Amitabha Buddha. 🙏❤️
I went from trying to practice Zen Buddhism to now practicing Shin Buddhism. I can still practice breath-mindfulness, metta prayer, and ask myself “Who is reciting the nembutsu?”, but fundamentally my practice is the nembutsu. I have come to see my meditation practices as tools to strengthen my faith in Amida’s vows, not an exercise of self-power. Because when I see some of my own effort following the most novice-level practices actually result in a positive change of mental state, it is proof that the teachings of the Buddhas are pure and true, and my resolve to be reborn in Sukhavati is stronger. But encountering people who practice Zen, Vajrayana, Theravada etc in these times, I just assume they are at a much higher level than I am and I feel deep respect for them. I’m rooting for you, and I don’t feel any sense of rivalry lol! Sukhavati is for people like me, who struggle greatly even though we have a clear idea of what to aspire to. For some people, getting thrown right in the water is the best way to swim. When my stepdad taught me to ride a bike, all he had to do was get me to sit in the seat, and then he pushed me down a hill, and instantly I knew everything I needed to know about the bike. But when I was a few years younger than that, my grandma dropped me into the pool. I panicked, the water went right up my nose, I flailed my arms and legs around and coukdn’t figure out what to do. When it comes to my enlightenment, it’s less like when I learned to bike, and more like when I learned to swim. I need easy mode for this. And I don’t think Sukhavati is a fast track. But I’m not sure. I follow Shinran’s recommendations as well as I understand them, and I think he believed that Buddhahood was guaranteed instantaneously. Maybe this is just due to a different way of looking at time. For the student reborn in Sukhavati, maybe I will experience hundreds of kalpas there, and yet come back to Earth as a Dharmabody Bodhisattva the instant after I die? But other masters talk about spending hundreds or thousands of kalpas developing the wisdom and powers of a Bodhisattva there before returning. All I know is I will entrust in Amida’a vow, it’s all I’m capable of in this life. What little my kind thoughts and deeds are, they are buried under my frustration and anger at the state of the world.
As a Theravada Buddhist I completely don't understand Pure Land Buddhism, and Mahayana too but, I have a great respect to all of You maybe one day I will understand more
Hi, I'm from Mahayana Branch of Buddhism (Nichiren Shoshu Indonesia which originated from japan).. I'm currently diving back to Theravada sutra's or older sutra's (even veda's).. will you exchange though with me on this meter? 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 I think, this way we could be the field of blessings for each other 😊
@@gabrielschwarz8761 well, I'm a layman, and Buddhist sect that I follow specifically upholding the lotus sutra so I'm not yet qualified to explain the content of this sutra myself. 😅 (Somehow, I also think this sutra's are ment to read alone on personal level instead of preached). But I could wish to be the karmic connection between other and this sutra. 😁 For your concern about missguidence, yes, I'm aware that this is internet and we don't know each other. There is no reason for us to take this opportunity so seriously as if we are speaking with bhikhus in monastery. I personally think about this opportunity as if 2 or more marvel nerd discussing their favorite movie and hero's. But instead of marvel, the topic is Buddhism, sutra's & it's Buddha/bodhisattva. 😊 (I also encourage other who see this to joining in) 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Here’s my two cents in lay man’s term. Amitabha Buddha 🙏❤ Amitabha means infinite, infinite light, infinite life. So Amitabha Buddha also means infinite enlightened ones or infinite Buddha. Thus Amitabha Buddha is also the name of all Buddha, therefore reciting this name/mantra, you are connecting with all Buddha and Buddha in yourself. When you recite a Buddha's name. You are thinking of the Buddha, you want to be with the Buddha, you want to be Buddha. And what does Buddha mean? Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path and all that Buddha taught, and the compassion in vows they take, and trained so hard and long to achieve. So when you are reciting the name of Buddha, you are focusing your action, you mind, and your senses on Buddha, and not wandering on deviant path. At the same time, we are practicing letting go of all thoughts, good or bad, letting go of the wrongful attachment of the body, letting go the this illusion of life, for the sack to attaining enlightenment so we can help all others. As before we are enlightened, the I, the self is one of the “others” that we should help. Since we are in an era where our mind is trained almost ADHD like compare to people in the old times, so it's much hard to concentrate, to let go and achieve no mind. By focusing on the recital of Amitabha Buddha, the name the mantra, it's much easier. And instead of focusing on breathing, candle-light, flower, or any other things, by focusing on Amitabha Buddha, the name of all Buddha. Your mind is tuned to the most positive wavelength/deed there can be. The more you understand Buddha and his teaching, the more meaningful this practice become, as every recital reminds you of what Buddha means and encompasses. And the compassion of Amitabha Buddha's vows. It is in this way, that it's all encompassing, and no mind, no self. Be Buddha. 🙏 And what do you want to do when you become Buddha？ Check out Amitabha Buddha's 48 vows for some amazing copyright free templates. All vows are features and functions aimed to help others reach enlightenment, non to seek own enlightenment, nor free self of suffering. That's pure compassion, and the right path. In Pure land Buddhism, the ultimate goal in this life is to practice the way of Buddha and be notified the time of your own death, and to leave this world the way you choose, to Amitabha’s pure land. Some leave standing, some leave sitting cross-legged, some laying down. But those who practiced well, leave knowingly, and peacefully. In Taiwan we also have “Helpers Chant Groups” that would take turns and chant Amitbha Buddha/Amituofo next to the deceased for 8-12 hours after the death, to help the deceased the last league of their journey. To be able to stay calm and clear minded at the moment of death is really hard, that is the true test. All the chanting in your life is to practice for this moment. We have seen some people that leave with the last chant echoing in their mouth(very few). Some died with a face in fright/agony, but gradually turned peaceful and the body become soft instead of rigid. So unlike what some would think, that Pure Land Buddhist only have to chant the mantra and not need to follow Buddha’s teaching. In Pure land Buddhism, we adhere to the teachings of Buddha as much as we can, and learn as much as we can in the teachings of Buddha so to strengthen our faith and understanding, so to prevent “obstacles”, cold feet, and wrongful habits from showing up its bad karma at the moment of death. Master Yin Guang said:”Do all that is good, refrain from all that is bad, clear/purify your mind/intent and that is Buddhism. And chant as if death is here today.” Do things that you “have to do”(eat, sleep, work to put food on the table, and requests for help that you are able to provide), and the moment you are done or have a break, let all thoughts go, and chant to remember the way of Buddha. When people praise you, pay no mind, and chant Amitabha. When people criticize you or make you suffer, thank them for ridding you more bad karma, pay no mind and chant Amitabh. Because nothing in this impermanent world that we will leave should you attach yourself to, and cause your own suffering over. Join the Buddha and Bodhisattava, and be enlightened, so that you can help all those connected to you who are suffering because they think all is real, and that they are suffering. All these mindset and understanding, we reinforce and delve deeper into with every recital of Amitabha Buddha. And when all you think is Buddha and see Buddha and Buddhisattva in everyone, in everything, and respect them and love them as much, you make this life Pure Land. There are mainly two sutras available in Chinese that talks about Pureland Amitabha Buddha（The Sutra On Contemplation Of Amitayus, and Amitābha Sūtra）, and these are one of the very few sutras that Buddha spoke without being asked. But there are also vital references of Pureland Amitabha Buddha in other Sutras that it is the go to practice by prominent bodhisattvas through which they obtained their enlightenment.（there are many levels of enlightenment, and many levels of bodhisattva) Amitabha Buddha. 🙏❤️
I’ve always wanted to read more of Buddhism, and I eventually found these books of the dalai lamas teachings, but it wasn’t enough and this video is everything I wanted
Amitabha Buddha 🙏❤ Amitabha means infinite, infinite light, infinite life. So Amitabha Buddha also means infinite enlightened ones or infinite Buddha. Thus Amitabha Buddha is also the name of all Buddha, therefore reciting this name/mantra, you are connecting with all Buddha and Buddha in yourself. When you recite a Buddha's name. You are thinking of the Buddha, you want to be with the Buddha, you want to be Buddha. And what does Buddha mean? Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path and all that Buddha taught, and the compassion in vows they take, and trained so hard and long to achieve. So when you are reciting the name of Buddha, you are focusing your action, you mind, and your senses on Buddha, and not wandering on deviant path. At the same time, we are practicing letting go of all thoughts, good or bad, letting go of the wrongful attachment of the body, letting go the this illusion of life, for the sack to attaining enlightenment so we can help all others. As before we are enlightened, the I, the self is one of the “others” that we should help. Since we are in an era where our mind is trained almost ADHD like compare to people in the old times, so it's much hard to concentrate, to let go and achieve no mind. By focusing on the recital of Amitabha Buddha, the name the mantra, it's much easier. And instead of focusing on breathing, candle-light, flower, or any other things, by focusing on Amitabha Buddha, the name of all Buddha. Your mind is tuned to the most positive wavelength/deed there can be. The more you understand Buddha and his teaching, the more meaningful this practice become, as every recital reminds you of what Buddha means and encompasses. And the compassion of Amitabha Buddha's vows. It is in this way, that it's all encompassing, and no mind, no self. Be Buddha. 🙏 And what do you want to do when you become Buddha？ Check out Amitabha Buddha's 48 vows for some amazing copyright free templates. All vows are features and functions aimed to help others reach enlightenment, non to seek own enlightenment, nor free self of suffering. That's pure compassion, and the right path. In Pure land Buddhism, the ultimate goal in this life is to practice the way of Buddha and be notified the time of your own death, and to leave this world the way you choose, to Amitabha’s pure land. Some leave standing, some leave sitting cross-legged, some laying down. But those who practiced well, leave knowingly, and peacefully. In Taiwan we also have “Helpers Chant Groups” that would take turns and chant Amitbha Buddha/Amituofo next to the deceased for 8-12 hours after the death, to help the deceased the last league of their journey. To be able to stay calm and clear minded at the moment of death is really hard, that is the true test. All the chanting in your life is to practice for this moment. We have seen some people that leave with the last chant echoing in their mouth(very few). Some died with a face in fright/agony, but gradually turned peaceful and the body become soft instead of rigid. So unlike what some would think, that Pure Land Buddhist only have to chant the mantra and not need to follow Buddha’s teaching. In Pure land Buddhism, we adhere to the teachings of Buddha as much as we can, and learn as much as we can in the teachings of Buddha so to strengthen our faith and understanding, so to prevent “obstacles”, cold feet, and wrongful habits from showing up its bad karma at the moment of death. Master Yin Guang said:”Do all that is good, refrain from all that is bad, clear/purify your mind/intent and that is Buddhism. And chant as if death is here today.” Do things that you “have to do”(eat, sleep, work to put food on the table, and requests for help that you are able to provide), and the moment you are done or have a break, let all thoughts go, and chant to remember the way of Buddha. When people praise you, pay no mind, and chant Amitabha. When people criticize you or make you suffer, thank them for ridding you more bad karma, pay no mind and chant Amitabh. Because nothing in this impermanent world that we will leave should you attach yourself to, and cause your own suffering over. Join the Buddha and Bodhisattava, and be enlightened, so that you can help all those connected to you who are suffering because they think all is real, and that they are suffering. All these mindset and understanding, we reinforce and delve deeper into with every recital of Amitabha Buddha. And when all you think is Buddha and see Buddha and Buddhisattva in everyone, in everything, and respect them and love them as much, you make this life Pure Land. There are mainly two sutras available in Chinese that talks about Pureland Amitabha Buddha（The Sutra On Contemplation Of Amitayus, and Amitābha Sūtra）, and these are one of the very few sutras that Buddha spoke without being asked. But there are also vital references of Pureland Amitabha Buddha in other Sutras that it is the go to practice by prominent bodhisattvas through which they obtained their enlightenment.（there are many levels of enlightenment, and many levels of bodhisattva) Thanks you so much for this video. I have been practicing Pureland Buddhism for almost thirty years. But I have been reading the sutras in Chinese, and haven't seen many English content on this. I listen to Alan Watts, and Thich Nhat Hanh, but they don't have content on these either. Your research and understanding of Pureland is amazing. Thank you so much for your work. Amitabha Buddha 🙏❤
Yes, but they are wrong, because Lord Buddha taught that suffering can only be alleviated through the Eightfold Path; he never claimed to be a god. Understanding suffering is the key, and it requires experiencing a great deal of it.
It should be mentioned that Pure Abodes as a part of also the Theravada cosmology, where they are a part of samsara, but like the exit corridor, if someone gets reborn there they will certainly reach nirvana. Also that the early Buddhist school of Mahasamghika is the root of the doctrines of countless Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in ten directions, and also of the Apratisthita Nirvana and Trikaya doctrines.
The Pure Abodes are different from the Pure Lands. The former are recognized throughout Buddhism since they are simply the five highest heavens in the rūpadhātu.
Bodhisattva is also Buddha, an Enlightened Being, not God. However, unlike Buddha who chose to leave the Samsara, the life cycle, Bodhisattva willingly chose to stay in this realm to help others to reach enlightenment.
Another wonderful video! I've always wondered, though, what role does Guatama play in Mahayana Buddhism? There seems to be less of a focus on him than in Theravada Buddhism.
Shakyamuni is the supreme Nirmanakaya of our time. Without Shakyamuni we wouldn’t have Buddha dharma in our realm. Also, many of the Mahayana sutras, and even some tantras, are considered to have been taught by Shakyamuni specifically.
Oh also, I thiiiink this is different from Theravada, in addition to being not the only Buddha, Shakyamuni attained enlightenment eons before his series of lives as the bodhisattva that ended up in his life and enlightenment as Shakyamuni. He manifested this process as a demonstration of the path that beings can follow.
@Bahadur sunny, I'm originally from an Indochinese theravadan Buddhist country, but Mahayana has never been confusing to me. It's simply an expansion of original Buddhism, adapting to whatever new culture Buddhism encounters.
Signup for your FREE trial to Wondrium here: ow.ly/v6kW30sfmau
it's the mirror dimension. from dr strange. -jc
唵嘛呢叭咪吽
ॐ मणिपद्मे हूं
Om mani padme hum!
Do a video of Nepal Buddha
Those who didn't know original Abhidhamma (higher doctrine) made wrong ideas about Buddhism. I could confirm Abhidhamma teachings from a theory that I developed. Theoritically, everything is impermanent.
Talking about Buddhism, this will give you Power! th-cam.com/video/FAsCMaqSrmY/w-d-xo.html
I am a Mahayana Buddhist and OMG I am really impressed at how you discussed our multiverse, even better than I would have explained. I do have to clarify the ten recitations apply to death. If you are in your deathbed and you recite the Amitabha sutra with all faith just even ten times you will go there to the Western pure land.
For me though, based on my introspection, I would work on cultivating as much as I can while living this life. Even an "over" attachment to breaking the samsara can be a dukkha! Whenever I pray to Amitabha in the temple I always say that may I always aspire for buddhahood not just for me but for all lives I will encounter in my lives, if I ever get reborn in a higher form next life
Breaking out from Samsara benefits all sentient beings
It's wild you think it's that easy
I love that and am of the same opinion as a Hindu with lots of love and learning from Buddhism (I cannot see it as really distinct from my perspective). Attachment to moksha or nirvana in itself will bring us dukkha.
@@baronroaster404 did I say it was?
If there is nothing, how can there be multi-nothing? -A person
Killing it with these Buddhism videos, as always!
You should also make a couple videos about Buddhism ! I love your channel !
Isn't killing bad?
@@Ggdivhjkjl hahaha
Are you planning on doing videos on buddhism yourself? Love ypur channel and work btw
@@Ggdivhjkjl it's not always bad but it's unfortunate when it has to get to that point.
Limitless of merit and good karma to you for your awesome job explaining this part of Buddhism to the world, Dr. Andrew M. Henry. 🙏🏼☸️🙇🏻♂️
Rich
@@alevator606 😂😂
Amitabha Buddha 💗🙏 Thank you for inspiring me.
What is the mandalas true meaning?
Falun Gong is the highest school of Buddhism....................truthfulness-compassion-tolerance
The pure land buddhism is the first recorded instance of "1 WEIRD TRICK FOR AWAKENING YOUR MONK DOESNT WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT"
Lol 🤣
xD
Enlightenment is hard so lets take a shortcut.
MARAS HATE HIM!
@@keksteig387 See how he attained rebirth and enlightenment for all sentient beings with 1 weird trick!
My mom is Buddhist in China. She used to take to me to temples during Buddha’s birthday every year. Ive always wanted to know more about Buddhism. Thanks for your great video
I think it was the late Buddhist writer Rick Fields who somewhat bemusedly noted that Westerners who encounter Buddhism are attracted to the more "heroic" forms, like Zen practitioners powering through the pain in their legs as they sit for hours facing a wall, or Vajrayana students doing thousands of prostrations. The Pure Land schools, with their simple devotional and contemplative practices integrated into everyday life, are somehow seen as less compelling, despite the fact that they are actually more widespread and inclusive. So I much appreciate the props given to them here... kudos!
It's because for many people interested in Zen or Theravada, Pure Lan seems to much like something familiar, like Christianity, so they tend to dismiss it.
I'm pretty sure zen is a Pure Land school
@@heyhey8626 Zen is a school of the Mahayana tradition. There are different schools in Zen Buddhism and some schools include pure Land teachings and others don't. Chan is the original tradition of Zen and it does include pure Land teachings, but the main Zen schools of Japan (Renzai and Soto) do not. In the Kwan Um school the one I practice we do not include Pure Land teachings. Hope my rambling explained a little bit.
@@chilldragon4752 thanks, really cleared it up
I absolutely ran straight for Zen, coming as I did out of protestant Christianity. Longer I go, the more attractive Pure Land teachings become.
One of the reasons I love this channel, is it shows how every philosophy or faith can have many different paths, and diverse 'denominations'.
Falun Gong is the highest school of Buddhism....................truthfulness-compassion-tolerance
Thank you for this video. As someone who is currently studying Buddhist philosophy at the graduate level, I appreciate the degree of nuance in your discussion of this oft-neglected tradition. It's all too common for Western commentators to paint Buddhism and other "Eastern" religions with the same brush, ignoring the diversity and often highly specific distinctions present in these traditions. I personally find the question of whether we are to think of these pure lands as literal or symbolic realms to be an especially interesting question. Thank you for always producing such high-quality content on an often overlooked discipline.
I have a decent understanding of Theravada Buddhism and simply haven't felt drawn to any other tradition. As such, I know very little about Pure Land. I have the (admittedly not so generous) impression that Pure Land is a spiritual shortcut approach to Buddhism: "Let the big guys do the work for you!" And, I see these Buddhas as Christ-like figures: "Just believing in me is enough get you to where you want to be." That being said, I'll be the the first to admit that these notions are based largely in ignorance; and, I'm willing to know better why they're off-base, if you'd care to speak to it.
@@petewerehere I actually share your impressions, and for that reason have always been more drawn to the Chan/Zen tradition. That being said, one has to be careful not to make hasty parallels (I often have to remind myself of this). I think you're right to point out the similarities between Amitabha and Christ as far as soteriology is concerned, but those who take the Mahayana notion of non-duality seriously enough would deny that the Pure Land is completely transcendent or that Amitabha is ultimately different from you or me. Of course, there's a lot of diversity in any tradition, and I'm not an expert on Pure Land specifically (my strongest expertise is in Madhyamaka), but hopefully my reply adequately speaks to your comment.
@@petewerehere Pure Land is only superficially similar to Christianity. Metaphysically and epistemologically, it's still Buddhist.
@@Magnulus76 maybe Jesus father is Buddha Amitabha.
@@user-Void-Star Jesus strikes me as a person on the Bodhisattva path who got in a big hurry to start enlightening people
I am a born Buddhist but never knew this. Very amazing. You make good videos regarding Buddhism. You study all religions. This is nice.
Don't feel bad. Most who are born into a religion will not know much depth about it and are often drawn to a different path.
I was born in a Catholic/Lutheran house, which is already "a house divided." but as you can see by my Dharma name...
Excellent video, thank you. I'm a religious studies teacher in England and the quality (both of the research and production) of your videos is superb. They've really helped me to maintain and grow my subject knowledge into new areas (as well as indulge my own interests).
That's good to hear Mark. My religious studies education at secondary school was not the best so it's good to see young teachers into this sort of thing.
@@chendaforest, are you a THEIST?
If so, what is the reason for your BELIEF in God?
@@TheWorldTeacher Yes I am. deductive reasoning. Listen to Swami Sarvapriyananda he is very rational.
@@chendaforest, Sarvapriyananda is a MONIST. :D
@@TheWorldTeacher he sure is.
Very good video and pretty thorough presentation. One thing that should be emphasized to a Western audience is that Buddha Dharma isn't as rigid in its "denominations" as Christianity and there is overlap in practice and beliefs. While a Pentecostal would almost never be seen praying in Adoration of the Eucharist, it is very common for Zen Buddhist to offer Pure Land prayers to Amitabha or a Theravadan monk learning from a Mahayana priest.
Yes, this is a problem with people who have a superficial understanding of Buddhism as many comments on this video reflect. People are making comparisons to Western religious and philosophical systems not realizing that Buddhism leans towards non-sectarianism due to emphasizing non-duality. Rather than attempting to understand Buddhism on it's on terms, people tend to perceive it through preconceptions.
@@Rabbithole8 Exactly. So many people in the West approach Buddha Dharma on the terms they would approach another Abrahamic religion. They don't understand that it is an entire different paradigm than the worship of some creator deity. They need to empty out their proverbial tea cup that's overflowing with misconceptions.
The idea that buddhism is always ecumenical between its sects is also a western idealization. For instance, Nichiren Buddhism sought to eliminate all other practices in feudal Japan, and saw only the lotus sutra as the one true revelation. And the ikko ikki of the true pure land movement would say "the mercy of the Buddha should be recompensed even by the pounding of flesh to pieces." When violently seeking to establish their own religious enclave apart form the existing feudal structures. See religion in Japanese history, Joseph kitagawa, pg 117. I am sure one can find similar examples in Chinese history, but these are the ones I am familiar with.
@@duffneill4618 I did not say Buddha Dharma was always ecumenical. Just that it is not in its nature sectarian like Christianity or Islam. There was always the issue of the Fifth Dalai Lama going full-Stalin on the non-Gulag schools of Tibetan Buddhism. But that sort of thing is almost always localized and temporary.
@@duffneill4618 Sure, but one must also be careful not to make the part for the whole fallacy. The Ikko rebels is a good example. It must be understood within the context of Japanese history, with the rejection of the daimyo ruling class, and that it was a particular group of people in a particular time of Japan. Nichiren does have a fanatical bent which is antithetical to most Buddhism. That is the point, we can compare Buddhism generally by looking at it as a whole (its core teachings and practices) and how it is manifested in most of the sects. Then there are outliers like Nichiren. Your point about not idealizing Buddhism is a good one, but I would add the recommendation of understanding the religious, historical, and social contexts. This understanding is essential.
It is vital that the vast world of Buddhism be made accessible to people of all faiths. Your lecture here, Andrew, is a useful and accurate introduction to one of the most influential schools of Buddhist thought and practice. Another superb effort on your part.
Falun Gong is the highest school of Buddhism....................truthfulness-compassion-tolerance
Yay! Finally Pure Land Buddhism, it is the most interesting form of Mahāyāna, especially Jodō-Shinshū. I'm currently studying the "origins" of Pure Land Buddhism in India and the adaptations of Sukhāvatī in Tibet. Namo Amida Butsu!
Mate where are u in India can we meet and discuss i am also student philosophy
@@veerswami7175 I’m studying “Pure Land Buddhism in India”, I’m unfortunately not physically in the country of India haha!
@@veerswami7175, What a pity for you. But it's not completely your fault. What Noah G said is ambiguous. It means either the origins were in India or Noah G is physically in India studying the origins. A lesson: when there's ambiguity, first ask for clarification.
@riverbend, Right, I still laugh when I read the above comments again.
namo amitabha
07:42 I'm smiling when I watched this part because i can think of one example of this tradition represented in the first Mummy movie. When Benny firstly encounter Imhotep he grabbed a bunch of necklaces and amulets. And one was very likely of Amitabha's image and he also called upon a bodhisattva for protection.
First :) as a fellow buddhist I apprecite your content covering our religion! keep up the great work!
Where are you from?
same ! I am a Buddhist too. I love his vids :)
@@itacom2199 turkey
@riverbend tf?
He is not Buddhist
I've been binge watching Linfamy's Japanese Buddhism videos which is kind of cool as he talked about a lot of the philosophers mentioned here.
So you’re part of the empire? Nice to meet you fellow
Falun Gong is the highest school of Buddhism....................truthfulness-compassion-tolerance
I remember once I was an event coordinator for a summer exchange with a Japanese university at my American university. My job was basically to take the Japanese students out into the city to baseball games, museums, and other stuff in the afternoons and evenings after a morning of intense English lessons. Some American students from the Japanese Studies department would help me out, partly to practice their Japanese as well as make friends.
One day we had a free day and I took a small group to Ikea to, you know, take hilarious selfies in the mock rooms. As we were walking, we saw a Buddhist temple. Background, the uni the Japanese kids were from was associated with this branch of Buddhism and so they were kinda religious and wanted to go in and pray since they haven't done so since arriving in America. The people running the temple were really nice and surprised to meet some people from their sister campus in Japan.
There were two Americans with me: one a general white boy like me and another who was a second generation Lao American, and her family was Buddhist. Anyways, as we watched the Japanese students do their prayer ritual, the other American kid was really surprised. He really thought Buddhism was just sitting quietly and discussing philosophy, and had no idea that it was also a lot of ritual and pomp like Christianity.
Seeing this video reminded me of this little story from ten years ago, and nice to see a video about Buddhism which doesn't reduce it to orientalism or strips away the religion to only examine the philosophy of it, but describes an aspect of Buddhism as it's popularly conceptualised. :D
Glad you're continuing the Buddhism series!
Falun Gong is the highest school of Buddhism....................truthfulness-compassion-tolerance
Wow! Fantastic video! I've been studying Buddhism my entire adult life starting from interest in Zen, transitioned to a long period of solitary practice in Chinese Pure Land Buddhism which. in turn, lead me further study and practice under Tibetan Lamas. It is entirely fascinating to see how you've structured this explanation in a much more academic and Westerner-friendly way than I'm used to! Some of these incredibly esoteric concepts that you touch on, you yourself seem to have a very deep understanding of. Really inspiring work, a piece like this can truly benefit so many.
Thank you so much for this video. Not only because I really like the topic of Pure Land Buddhism (I'm a Jodo Shu Buddhist) but because now I can show this video around to people who asks about a well explained and comprehensive, but not too long, explanation of the Pure Land tradition without it focusing on only one interpretation.
As always you manage to explain very clearly and accurately the concepts, history, and different interpretations of a religious tradition. I'm not a religious scholar by a long shot, but I do can say that I have studied religions academically for a long time and can grasp the concepts and ideas quite well. So I can say you've never dissapointed on accuracy, explaination, and non-bias. These reasons are why I love your channel so much and can always learn something new from you without having to worry about the information being faulty, biased or outdated.
Keep it up!
I am so grateful for your posting this🙏🏾💛
Thank you for actually treating the buddhist denominations more deeply - so few quality, scholarly videos go much deeper than the basic history and development.
Falun Gong is the highest school of Buddhism....................truthfulness-compassion-tolerance
I'm a Pure Land Buddhist and have been so impressed with the quality of this series so far! These have become my go-to resources to link for people interested in learning about Buddhism.
Amitabha Buddha🙏❤️
Man, you are doing an amazing job with the buddhist videos, explaning concepts that are REALLY difficult to grasp in such mastery I am at awe. I was raised in a city with a large pre-war japonese colony in it, we have several temples in town from many schools (all mahayana, most pure land and some nichiren), and you helped me finally get some of the stuff they talked about I heard since childhood but never really understood.
This is a WONDERFUL introductory video to pure land dharma!! I've personally done some of the pure land meditation practices and they are very powerful. If you practice a lot, Amitābhā shines through the light of your consciousness and shows you Sukhavati right there on your meditation cushion. Thank you for this concise explainer!
Amitabha Buddha🙏❤️
this is so well explained! i'm glad you also explained central concepts in buddhism as a whole alongside more distinctively pure land teachings!
This particular video of yours is an especially thorough and deep Tour de Force. Congratulations on your work.
Falun Gong is the highest school of Buddhism....................truthfulness-compassion-tolerance
I did a semester-long class on Buddhism and didn't really come away with a clear idea of the Mahayana approach and what role the cosmology served. Thank you for this super clear explanation. I know that if the dig further, I'll now be starting from a greater place of understanding.
digging deep u should but never get yourself stuck in the depth
This is the drop I've been waiting for! Love the Buddhism series
Falun Gong is the highest school of Buddhism....................truthfulness-compassion-tolerance
As a student of Jôdo Shinshû I really appreciated the nuances in your treatment of Pure Land Buddhism🙏
Do you believe Amitabha and Pure Land are symbolism, or actual Person and place, and why? I believe Amitabha and His Pure Land is real. Thank you. Namo Amida Butsu.
Falun Gong is the highest school of Buddhism....................truthfulness-compassion-tolerance
I grew up autistic, but Buddhist teachings were somehow always in my psyche. After years of confusion and loss, I became a Buddhist a decade ago. I'm very skeptical, so I spend a lot of time contemplating what is relevant. I'm a Tibetan Buddhist, and my inclination is toward the Vajrayana. I have taken my vows; then I realized I had done this before. When my mother died in 2013, I participated in a Sukhavati service for her. I consider myself devoted without any kind of worship involved. To me, Sunyata implies that there is no solid reality; the fact which makes all universes and parallel realities possible. The Buddhist multiverse makes perfect sense, after all.
Thank you for sharing your experience!
I feel the exact same and understand every single word of what you wrote. I was wondering if anyone else thought the same. I discovered it and it just all made sense with what I already felt was the right thing to do. And then I just continued doing so while knowing it's the right thing. Does this count as practice? Meditiation is easy for me, not thinking about anything is alleviating and very calming. I cannot possibly describe this state of mind the way I feel it, but it really is something of an open emptiness, somewhat of an all-connectedness with truth whilst being detached from any surplus. I mean I read a lot of quite literal translations of Pali and Mahayana texts, but they are just repeating the same thing every time, just with different examples and metaphors and idk it just all clicks and I nod and say "Makes sense right? Been doing that all the time, feeling great." and everyone just stares at me blankly not realizing the simple truth that is written right in front of them. It seems like it is just the right and most rational thing to be a buddhist in every regard. I come up with similar metaphors in everyday life when trying to explain anything really and people seem to understand and like them, but for me they just hop in and out of my mind all the time because they make sense. Sometimes, I think, people forget to just live and be content with themselves and harmonious with all their surroundings. Is it really so difficult for them? Can't they just be as happy and at ease with their minds as I am? I also am constantly being confronted with "good" people just instantly liking me and drawing near me fascinated like I'm a magnet, while other people that have yet a longer path before them - let's phrase it like that - are either not concerned with me at all, lose interest in despair and might learn something or just don't appear in the first place and try to avoid me. It feels like the most natural of all paths with the minimum of my personal input is giving me all the output needed to make my life content and rich in meaning. But why isn't anyone seeing how clear it all is?
@@エルフェンリート-l3i The answer to your closing question : Because of conditioning.
Didn’t realize autism is now a religion
don’t tied down by labels, else u will be miserable
"The simplicity and depth of Buddha's teachings always leave me in awe. It's a reminder to live in the present moment and cultivate compassion. 🙏"
Buddhism is nowadays one of the most effective way of solving mental problem indeed.
Love all your videos. The most informative and comprehensive religion talks on TH-cam.
I first encountered Pure Land Buddhism when I read "The Tale of the Heike" in a college history class. The book, an account of the Genpei War of the 1100's, presents Japan as a society that has already been extremely permeated by Pure Land Buddhism. Characters who were defeated in war often retire to "chant the name of the Amitaba Buddha" the way that modern disgraced politicians resign to "spend more time with their families".
They have been deluded since Buddha's passing away. Pure Land and Nichiren Buddhism are the most heretic form of Buddhism. They're not real Buddhism.
Falun Gong is the highest school of Buddhism....................truthfulness-compassion-tolerance
I love this channel for the nuances and the precise, concise explanation of different religions and religious issues.
This video was jammed packed with lots of information! Great job with it! 😊
Excellent video. One of the most credible treatments of this tradition on the internet. Namo Amituofo 🙏🏻
Namo Amituofo
Welp. Ive got a lot of reading ahead of me! Its all so wondrous and beautiful. What magnificent teachings. Thank you for your videos!
Thank you so much! The information in this video has helped massively.
Namu Amida Bustu.❤🙏 Nothing Can Dim the Light that Shines from Within.🕉
Excellent job. A surprisingly deep yet accessible introduction to a beautiful tradition.
I’ve been Buddhist for twenty years, mostly as a solo practitioner bouncing between Theravada, Tibetan, and plum village (the tradition founded by Thich Nhat Hanh). Even as an atheist I find my practice more and more focusing on the six perfections, four immeasurables, and living a life of compassion there is something that definitely attracts me to pureland Buddhism, which feels odd as someone who comes from a family of intellectuals.
Falun Gong is the highest school of Buddhism....................truthfulness-compassion-tolerance
Lord Buddha taught that suffering can only be alleviated through the Eightfold Path, he never claimed to be a god. Understanding suffering is the key, and it requires experiencing a great deal of it.
Pure Land is simply a wrong path.
I'm continuously impressed by the quality of your research, especially when covering the mentality of the diverse array of Buddhist thought out there. Solid work!
While in a Religions of Asian class in university, which should have like 3 different classes, the book we used dismissed Pure Land Buddhism as "Christian Buddhism". After some time I decided to read more about Pure Land Buddhism of Japan. It was defiantly a lot more interesting how the my text described it.
There is nowhere I'd rather learn about religion than your Channel doctor. Thank you.
Your videos on Buddhism are always great. Keep up the awesome work.
You've really done your homework. Excellent presentation.
An excellent brief explanation of Jōdo Shinshū. Kudos.
謝謝！
I really hope there will be many more videos on Buddhism in general. Love this channel and Greatly appreciate this one. Have you done one between the differences of Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana? or about the different lineages of Tibet?
Thanks for packing in 20 minutes of high-speed exposition an entire graduate course in Pure Land.
In school I’d watch lectures at 2x speed and still be bored, this man here makes me have to re-watch videos out of pure fascination
This title killed me in all the best ways. Really looking forward to watching.
Thanks
I'd love for you to cover Shingon Buddhism. I'm fascinated by esoteric Buddhism, and Shingon recognizes 13 deities, including the ones you've mentioned here -- Kuanyin, Amithaba, Jizo, Manjusri, Maitreya, the Medicine Buddha, and the historical Buddha. It's difficult to find information on the remainder, aside from Vairocana and Fudo Myo-o.
beautiful work mr breakfast. thank u!
I was introduced to Mahayana thought through Trungpa's "Training the Mind and Cultivating Living Kindness". I recommend it highly. The earlier small blue paperback is best version, imo.
Thank you so much for your Buddhism videos! I’ve been exploring Buddhism as a possible spiritual path, and your videos break it down in ways that books and other videos haven’t. Will you do a video on Zen Buddhism in the future? I’m loving your series on this subject, and would love to learn more!
Pure Land changed my life! Thanks for this video!
Amitabha Buddha🙏❤
Man your video is 21 my long, but still looks too short. very good contains, keep up the good work
Yeah, each concept and figure in this video requires an additional 21-minute-long video.
Got the day off AND a new Religion for Breakfast video? And it's not even my birthday
This video is very important for study Buddhist Multiverse 💙.
Namo Bhagavate amitabhaya tathagataya samyak-sambuddhaya ! 🥰💛💙❤🤍🙏
The "realization of [sunyata] of all phenomena" reminded me of dialectical materialism as explained by Marx and Engels; all things become their opposite, quality arises from quantity, and a does not equal a. Great video!
i was thinking the same thing!
I almost wish I had never started studying Buddhism - it’s so vast and complex. Thanks for this ultra-concise video - I think it needs several watches to cement the concepts.
Thanks for this video. I remember watching anime with different Buddhist philosophies and having trouble with finding decent information like 20 years ago. Lol. This is wonderful.
I hope you’re planning on doing a video on Wrathful Deities at some point! They are fascinating as they are frightening in countenance and yet objects of devotion and meditative reflection, which seems quite distinct from how Western culture looks upon scary, demonic-looking supernatural beings
Never judge a book by its cover. Especially when you have angels, curses, and myriad transformations.
Chruch made everything that is not Christian into Demonic.
Buddhism is much diverse than we think. I am from the Vajrayana Buddhism background. The Vajrayana Buddhism is one of the complex form of Buddhism.
complex or not, the ultimate goal is still the same
Vajrayana is a synthesis of Hindu tantra and Buddhism
What a joke bro..@@TheGuiltsOfUs
Thanks!
Amitab Buddha ❤🙏
When I first heard of this when I was a Catholic I thought the Pure Land was like a much more pleasant equivalent to Purgatory, I’ve heard before many of the concepts mentioned here but I didn’t know their context so thank you for making this video
Hail Mary
Wonderful video! Much appreciated!
An opportunity for me to pay homage to the Rev. Jack Austin, of the Pure Land Buddhists: if belinging to that made you the man he was when I worked with him in the World Congress of Faiths over 40 years ago, it's worth a good look. Never forgotten, Rev. Austin.
Great video! An important point brought up is that all Mahayana traditions from Tibet to Japan have been influenced by the Pure Land tradition. For anyone interested in Pure Land teachings I suggest "Pure Land Pure Mind" a selection of letters by the Chinese Pureland Master Yin Kuang.
Amitabha Buddha🙏❤
Thank you for this video. It's refreshing to hear your explanation of something other than Abrahamic religions.
As a purelander, this is a very good video! Thanks!
Amitabha Buddha🙏❤
I have, for over a decade now, moved from the esoteric and exotic form of Mahayana Buddhism that projects an ideal (idealized) scheme and various fantastic dimensions of the worlds of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to a more down-to-earth, realistic and humanistic form of Buddhism that focuses on the most fundamental training of the 37 requisites for enlightenment in early and Theravada Buddhism. I always ponder within myself, if anyone can attain a fast-track route to gain enlightenment in any pure land under the guidance of a Buddha or Bodhisattva, his status is not more than a disciple Arahant, as the Buddha is far beyond that, as one who attained enlightenment all by himself and can help others who connected to him to attain the same level of awakening as himself.
You are right. We go to Amitabha Pure Land to continue our training. Since it’s almost impossible to attain Arahant in this day and age. That’s the compassion of Amitabha Buddha.
Here’s my two cents in lay man’s term.
Amitabha Buddha 🙏❤ Amitabha means infinite, infinite light, infinite life. So Amitabha Buddha also means infinite enlightened ones or infinite Buddha. Thus Amitabha Buddha is also the name of all Buddha, therefore reciting this name/mantra, you are connecting with all Buddha and Buddha in yourself.
When you recite a Buddha's name. You are thinking of the Buddha, you want to be with the Buddha, you want to be Buddha. And what does Buddha mean? Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path and all that Buddha taught, and the compassion in vows they take, and trained so hard and long to achieve. So when you are reciting the name of Buddha, you are focusing your action, you mind, and your senses on Buddha, and not wandering on deviant path. At the same time, we are practicing letting go of all thoughts, good or bad, letting go of the wrongful attachment of the body, letting go the this illusion of life, for the sack to attaining enlightenment so we can help all others. As before we are enlightened, the I, the self is one of the “others” that we should help.
Since we are in an era where our mind is trained almost ADHD like compare to people in the old times, so it's much hard to concentrate, to let go and achieve no mind. By focusing on the recital of Amitabha Buddha, the name the mantra, it's much easier. And instead of focusing on breathing, candle-light, flower, or any other things, by focusing on Amitabha Buddha, the name of all Buddha. Your mind is tuned to the most positive wavelength/deed there can be. The more you understand Buddha and his teaching, the more meaningful this practice become, as every recital reminds you of what Buddha means and encompasses. And the compassion of Amitabha Buddha's vows.
It is in this way, that it's all encompassing, and no mind, no self. Be Buddha. 🙏 And what do you want to do when you become Buddha？ Check out Amitabha Buddha's 48 vows for some amazing copyright free templates. All vows are features and functions aimed to help others reach enlightenment, non to seek own enlightenment, nor free self of suffering. That's pure compassion, and the right path.
In Pure land Buddhism, the ultimate goal in this life is to practice the way of Buddha and be notified the time of your own death, and to leave this world the way you choose, to Amitabha’s pure land. Some leave standing, some leave sitting cross-legged, some laying down. But those who practiced well, leave knowingly, and peacefully. In Taiwan we also have “Helpers Chant Groups” that would take turns and chant Amitbha Buddha/Amituofo next to the deceased for 8-12 hours after the death, to help the deceased the last league of their journey. To be able to stay calm and clear minded at the moment of death is really hard, that is the true test. All the chanting in your life is to practice for this moment. We have seen some people that leave with the last chant echoing in their mouth(very few). Some died with a face in fright/agony, but gradually turned peaceful and the body become soft instead of rigid. So unlike what some would think, that Pure Land Buddhist only have to chant the mantra and not need to follow Buddha’s teaching. In Pure land Buddhism, we adhere to the teachings of Buddha as much as we can, and learn as much as we can in the teachings of Buddha so to strengthen our faith and understanding, so to prevent “obstacles”, cold feet, and wrongful habits from showing up its bad karma at the moment of death. Master Yin Guang said:”Do all that is good, refrain from all that is bad, clear/purify your mind/intent and that is Buddhism. And chant as if death is here today.” Do things that you “have to do”(eat, sleep, work to put food on the table, and requests for help that you are able to provide), and the moment you are done or have a break, let all thoughts go, and chant to remember the way of Buddha. When people praise you, pay no mind, and chant Amitabha. When people criticize you or make you suffer, thank them for ridding you more bad karma, pay no mind and chant Amitabh. Because nothing in this impermanent world that we will leave should you attach yourself to, and cause your own suffering over. Join the Buddha and Bodhisattava, and be enlightened, so that you can help all those connected to you who are suffering because they think all is real, and that they are suffering. All these mindset and understanding, we reinforce and delve deeper into with every recital of Amitabha Buddha. And when all you think is Buddha and see Buddha and Buddhisattva in everyone, in everything, and respect them and love them as much, you make this life Pure Land.
There are mainly two sutras available in Chinese that talks about Pureland Amitabha Buddha（The Sutra On Contemplation Of Amitayus, and Amitābha Sūtra）, and these are one of the very few sutras that Buddha spoke without being asked. But there are also vital references of Pureland Amitabha Buddha in other Sutras that it is the go to practice by prominent bodhisattvas through which they obtained their enlightenment.（there are many levels of enlightenment, and many levels of bodhisattva)
Amitabha Buddha. 🙏❤️
I went from trying to practice Zen Buddhism to now practicing Shin Buddhism. I can still practice breath-mindfulness, metta prayer, and ask myself “Who is reciting the nembutsu?”, but fundamentally my practice is the nembutsu. I have come to see my meditation practices as tools to strengthen my faith in Amida’s vows, not an exercise of self-power. Because when I see some of my own effort following the most novice-level practices actually result in a positive change of mental state, it is proof that the teachings of the Buddhas are pure and true, and my resolve to be reborn in Sukhavati is stronger.
But encountering people who practice Zen, Vajrayana, Theravada etc in these times, I just assume they are at a much higher level than I am and I feel deep respect for them. I’m rooting for you, and I don’t feel any sense of rivalry lol! Sukhavati is for people like me, who struggle greatly even though we have a clear idea of what to aspire to.
For some people, getting thrown right in the water is the best way to swim. When my stepdad taught me to ride a bike, all he had to do was get me to sit in the seat, and then he pushed me down a hill, and instantly I knew everything I needed to know about the bike. But when I was a few years younger than that, my grandma dropped me into the pool. I panicked, the water went right up my nose, I flailed my arms and legs around and coukdn’t figure out what to do.
When it comes to my enlightenment, it’s less like when I learned to bike, and more like when I learned to swim. I need easy mode for this.
And I don’t think Sukhavati is a fast track. But I’m not sure. I follow Shinran’s recommendations as well as I understand them, and I think he believed that Buddhahood was guaranteed instantaneously. Maybe this is just due to a different way of looking at time. For the student reborn in Sukhavati, maybe I will experience hundreds of kalpas there, and yet come back to Earth as a Dharmabody Bodhisattva the instant after I die? But other masters talk about spending hundreds or thousands of kalpas developing the wisdom and powers of a Bodhisattva there before returning. All I know is I will entrust in Amida’a vow, it’s all I’m capable of in this life. What little my kind thoughts and deeds are, they are buried under my frustration and anger at the state of the world.
@@askandytsaiHi, do you have an Instagram or any way I can contact you?
Your videos are always enlightening.
As a Theravada Buddhist I completely don't understand Pure Land Buddhism, and Mahayana too
but, I have a great respect to all of You maybe one day I will understand more
Hi, I'm from Mahayana Branch of Buddhism (Nichiren Shoshu Indonesia which originated from japan).. I'm currently diving back to Theravada sutra's or older sutra's (even veda's).. will you exchange though with me on this meter? 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 I think, this way we could be the field of blessings for each other 😊
@@helixyang it would be great, but unfortunately my knowledge about Buddhism isn't strong enought and I don't want to missguide You brother 😊
@@gabrielschwarz8761 well, I'm a layman, and Buddhist sect that I follow specifically upholding the lotus sutra so I'm not yet qualified to explain the content of this sutra myself. 😅 (Somehow, I also think this sutra's are ment to read alone on personal level instead of preached). But I could wish to be the karmic connection between other and this sutra. 😁
For your concern about missguidence, yes, I'm aware that this is internet and we don't know each other. There is no reason for us to take this opportunity so seriously as if we are speaking with bhikhus in monastery.
I personally think about this opportunity as if 2 or more marvel nerd discussing their favorite movie and hero's. But instead of marvel, the topic is Buddhism, sutra's & it's Buddha/bodhisattva. 😊 (I also encourage other who see this to joining in) 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Here’s my two cents in lay man’s term.
Amitabha Buddha 🙏❤ Amitabha means infinite, infinite light, infinite life. So Amitabha Buddha also means infinite enlightened ones or infinite Buddha. Thus Amitabha Buddha is also the name of all Buddha, therefore reciting this name/mantra, you are connecting with all Buddha and Buddha in yourself.
When you recite a Buddha's name. You are thinking of the Buddha, you want to be with the Buddha, you want to be Buddha. And what does Buddha mean? Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path and all that Buddha taught, and the compassion in vows they take, and trained so hard and long to achieve. So when you are reciting the name of Buddha, you are focusing your action, you mind, and your senses on Buddha, and not wandering on deviant path. At the same time, we are practicing letting go of all thoughts, good or bad, letting go of the wrongful attachment of the body, letting go the this illusion of life, for the sack to attaining enlightenment so we can help all others. As before we are enlightened, the I, the self is one of the “others” that we should help.
Since we are in an era where our mind is trained almost ADHD like compare to people in the old times, so it's much hard to concentrate, to let go and achieve no mind. By focusing on the recital of Amitabha Buddha, the name the mantra, it's much easier. And instead of focusing on breathing, candle-light, flower, or any other things, by focusing on Amitabha Buddha, the name of all Buddha. Your mind is tuned to the most positive wavelength/deed there can be. The more you understand Buddha and his teaching, the more meaningful this practice become, as every recital reminds you of what Buddha means and encompasses. And the compassion of Amitabha Buddha's vows.
It is in this way, that it's all encompassing, and no mind, no self. Be Buddha. 🙏 And what do you want to do when you become Buddha？ Check out Amitabha Buddha's 48 vows for some amazing copyright free templates. All vows are features and functions aimed to help others reach enlightenment, non to seek own enlightenment, nor free self of suffering. That's pure compassion, and the right path.
In Pure land Buddhism, the ultimate goal in this life is to practice the way of Buddha and be notified the time of your own death, and to leave this world the way you choose, to Amitabha’s pure land. Some leave standing, some leave sitting cross-legged, some laying down. But those who practiced well, leave knowingly, and peacefully. In Taiwan we also have “Helpers Chant Groups” that would take turns and chant Amitbha Buddha/Amituofo next to the deceased for 8-12 hours after the death, to help the deceased the last league of their journey. To be able to stay calm and clear minded at the moment of death is really hard, that is the true test. All the chanting in your life is to practice for this moment. We have seen some people that leave with the last chant echoing in their mouth(very few). Some died with a face in fright/agony, but gradually turned peaceful and the body become soft instead of rigid. So unlike what some would think, that Pure Land Buddhist only have to chant the mantra and not need to follow Buddha’s teaching. In Pure land Buddhism, we adhere to the teachings of Buddha as much as we can, and learn as much as we can in the teachings of Buddha so to strengthen our faith and understanding, so to prevent “obstacles”, cold feet, and wrongful habits from showing up its bad karma at the moment of death. Master Yin Guang said:”Do all that is good, refrain from all that is bad, clear/purify your mind/intent and that is Buddhism. And chant as if death is here today.” Do things that you “have to do”(eat, sleep, work to put food on the table, and requests for help that you are able to provide), and the moment you are done or have a break, let all thoughts go, and chant to remember the way of Buddha. When people praise you, pay no mind, and chant Amitabha. When people criticize you or make you suffer, thank them for ridding you more bad karma, pay no mind and chant Amitabh. Because nothing in this impermanent world that we will leave should you attach yourself to, and cause your own suffering over. Join the Buddha and Bodhisattava, and be enlightened, so that you can help all those connected to you who are suffering because they think all is real, and that they are suffering. All these mindset and understanding, we reinforce and delve deeper into with every recital of Amitabha Buddha. And when all you think is Buddha and see Buddha and Buddhisattva in everyone, in everything, and respect them and love them as much, you make this life Pure Land.
There are mainly two sutras available in Chinese that talks about Pureland Amitabha Buddha（The Sutra On Contemplation Of Amitayus, and Amitābha Sūtra）, and these are one of the very few sutras that Buddha spoke without being asked. But there are also vital references of Pureland Amitabha Buddha in other Sutras that it is the go to practice by prominent bodhisattvas through which they obtained their enlightenment.（there are many levels of enlightenment, and many levels of bodhisattva)
Amitabha Buddha. 🙏❤️
There is difference
Thank you so much for covering this. I’ve been studying and practicing since 2015 but haven’t found much on this school
Amitabha Buddha🙏❤
Yet another example of how Buddhism is not just a philosophy. It's a religion with plenty of supernatural beliefs like other major ones.
I’ve always wanted to read more of Buddhism, and I eventually found these books of the dalai lamas teachings, but it wasn’t enough and this video is everything I wanted
Amitabha Buddha🙏❤
Studying world religions was confusing, until I found your channel. 🙏
Amazing clarity of thought and fantastic teaching.
Amitabha Buddha 🙏❤ Amitabha means infinite, infinite light, infinite life. So Amitabha Buddha also means infinite enlightened ones or infinite Buddha. Thus Amitabha Buddha is also the name of all Buddha, therefore reciting this name/mantra, you are connecting with all Buddha and Buddha in yourself.
When you recite a Buddha's name. You are thinking of the Buddha, you want to be with the Buddha, you want to be Buddha. And what does Buddha mean? Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path and all that Buddha taught, and the compassion in vows they take, and trained so hard and long to achieve. So when you are reciting the name of Buddha, you are focusing your action, you mind, and your senses on Buddha, and not wandering on deviant path. At the same time, we are practicing letting go of all thoughts, good or bad, letting go of the wrongful attachment of the body, letting go the this illusion of life, for the sack to attaining enlightenment so we can help all others. As before we are enlightened, the I, the self is one of the “others” that we should help.
Since we are in an era where our mind is trained almost ADHD like compare to people in the old times, so it's much hard to concentrate, to let go and achieve no mind. By focusing on the recital of Amitabha Buddha, the name the mantra, it's much easier. And instead of focusing on breathing, candle-light, flower, or any other things, by focusing on Amitabha Buddha, the name of all Buddha. Your mind is tuned to the most positive wavelength/deed there can be. The more you understand Buddha and his teaching, the more meaningful this practice become, as every recital reminds you of what Buddha means and encompasses. And the compassion of Amitabha Buddha's vows.
It is in this way, that it's all encompassing, and no mind, no self. Be Buddha. 🙏 And what do you want to do when you become Buddha？ Check out Amitabha Buddha's 48 vows for some amazing copyright free templates. All vows are features and functions aimed to help others reach enlightenment, non to seek own enlightenment, nor free self of suffering. That's pure compassion, and the right path.
In Pure land Buddhism, the ultimate goal in this life is to practice the way of Buddha and be notified the time of your own death, and to leave this world the way you choose, to Amitabha’s pure land. Some leave standing, some leave sitting cross-legged, some laying down. But those who practiced well, leave knowingly, and peacefully. In Taiwan we also have “Helpers Chant Groups” that would take turns and chant Amitbha Buddha/Amituofo next to the deceased for 8-12 hours after the death, to help the deceased the last league of their journey. To be able to stay calm and clear minded at the moment of death is really hard, that is the true test. All the chanting in your life is to practice for this moment. We have seen some people that leave with the last chant echoing in their mouth(very few). Some died with a face in fright/agony, but gradually turned peaceful and the body become soft instead of rigid. So unlike what some would think, that Pure Land Buddhist only have to chant the mantra and not need to follow Buddha’s teaching. In Pure land Buddhism, we adhere to the teachings of Buddha as much as we can, and learn as much as we can in the teachings of Buddha so to strengthen our faith and understanding, so to prevent “obstacles”, cold feet, and wrongful habits from showing up its bad karma at the moment of death. Master Yin Guang said:”Do all that is good, refrain from all that is bad, clear/purify your mind/intent and that is Buddhism. And chant as if death is here today.” Do things that you “have to do”(eat, sleep, work to put food on the table, and requests for help that you are able to provide), and the moment you are done or have a break, let all thoughts go, and chant to remember the way of Buddha. When people praise you, pay no mind, and chant Amitabha. When people criticize you or make you suffer, thank them for ridding you more bad karma, pay no mind and chant Amitabh. Because nothing in this impermanent world that we will leave should you attach yourself to, and cause your own suffering over. Join the Buddha and Bodhisattava, and be enlightened, so that you can help all those connected to you who are suffering because they think all is real, and that they are suffering. All these mindset and understanding, we reinforce and delve deeper into with every recital of Amitabha Buddha. And when all you think is Buddha and see Buddha and Buddhisattva in everyone, in everything, and respect them and love them as much, you make this life Pure Land.
There are mainly two sutras available in Chinese that talks about Pureland Amitabha Buddha（The Sutra On Contemplation Of Amitayus, and Amitābha Sūtra）, and these are one of the very few sutras that Buddha spoke without being asked. But there are also vital references of Pureland Amitabha Buddha in other Sutras that it is the go to practice by prominent bodhisattvas through which they obtained their enlightenment.（there are many levels of enlightenment, and many levels of bodhisattva)
Thanks you so much for this video. I have been practicing Pureland Buddhism for almost thirty years. But I have been reading the sutras in Chinese, and haven't seen many English content on this. I listen to Alan Watts, and Thich Nhat Hanh, but they don't have content on these either. Your research and understanding of Pureland is amazing. Thank you so much for your work. Amitabha Buddha 🙏❤
Thank you. I couldn't follow this video at all but your explanation is great and easy to understand. ❤
@@pennyfarthing1372 Thank you for leaving a comment. Amitabha Buddha❤🙏
I love the way you explain things in an easy way to understand. 👍🏼
Amazing topic thank you for covering it.
Thank you! great explanation of Buddhism. Pure Land Buddhism and other forms and sects.
As a Theravada Buddhist, this is eye-opener.
Yes, but they are wrong, because Lord Buddha taught that suffering can only be alleviated through the Eightfold Path; he never claimed to be a god. Understanding suffering is the key, and it requires experiencing a great deal of it.
I enjoyed this video very much. Looking forward to future content about Buddhism. 😊
It should be mentioned that Pure Abodes as a part of also the Theravada cosmology, where they are a part of samsara, but like the exit corridor, if someone gets reborn there they will certainly reach nirvana.
Also that the early Buddhist school of Mahasamghika is the root of the doctrines of countless Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in ten directions, and also of the Apratisthita Nirvana and Trikaya doctrines.
The Pure Abodes are different from the Pure Lands. The former are recognized throughout Buddhism since they are simply the five highest heavens in the rūpadhātu.
Takes me back to my university days. A great distillation of Pure Land Buddhism. Thank you! Namo Amitabha!
Hey kids, [Turns chair around and sits backwards] You know who had a REAL Multiverse of Madness?
This entire video is best seen high.
Once again another great video! Your awesome! 👍 I'm always looking forward to more. 😊
Bodhisattva is also Buddha, an Enlightened Being, not God.
However, unlike Buddha who chose to leave the Samsara, the life cycle, Bodhisattva willingly chose to stay in this realm to help others to reach enlightenment.
Thank you for this video. May all beings be happy.
Another wonderful video! I've always wondered, though, what role does Guatama play in Mahayana Buddhism? There seems to be less of a focus on him than in Theravada Buddhism.
Shakyamuni is the supreme Nirmanakaya of our time. Without Shakyamuni we wouldn’t have Buddha dharma in our realm.
Also, many of the Mahayana sutras, and even some tantras, are considered to have been taught by Shakyamuni specifically.
Oh also, I thiiiink this is different from Theravada, in addition to being not the only Buddha, Shakyamuni attained enlightenment eons before his series of lives as the bodhisattva that ended up in his life and enlightenment as Shakyamuni. He manifested this process as a demonstration of the path that beings can follow.
@@seadawg93 Shakyamuni taught Vajrayana to King Za later Vajrapani taught full Vajrayana to 5 monks in mount Malaya in Sri Lanka.
I watched Dr. Eckel’s and class on Buddhism on Wondrium. He is an outstanding lecturer.
The "mayahana multiverse" sounds like an excellent name for a finishing move in professional wrestling
Thanks! 🙏💗Om Mani Padme Hum💗🙏
Buddhism primarily teaches people to be wise, compassionate and virtuous. And there are many examples of Buddhists living as so.
I learn so much from your content! Thank you
As a "Theravada" Buddhist from south Asia....."Mahayana" was always confusing to me too :0
@Bahadur sunny, I'm originally from an Indochinese theravadan Buddhist country, but Mahayana has never been confusing to me. It's simply an expansion of original Buddhism, adapting to whatever new culture Buddhism encounters.