Question: A friend says he does not aspire to be born in Amituofo’s [Amitabha Buddha] Pure Land because it will be boring. How should I reply?
Answer: Amituofo’s Pure Land is actually not only the least boring, but also the most interesting and enlightening place in the universe, because, as in the vows of Amituofo, beings there, as empowered by his blessings, can see and visit all other worlds at will to learn the Dharma from Buddhas elsewhere and to help other beings. There is even the ability to recall one’s past lives and that of any other being, and to read their minds. Such ease in terms of actual and vision-based travel in space and time facilitates swift accumulation and perfection of merits and wisdom for Buddhahood.
Samsara in contrast is truly incredibly ‘boring’ due to sensory and transportation limitations. And it is not easy to cultivate one’s mind entirely by self-power despite many lifetimes, to be able to attain and sustain supernormal powers such as the above. These shared benefits, of reaching Pure Land, are only the tip of the iceberg. More benefits will be covered will be covered in ‘The 48 Vows of Amituofo: Blessings for This Life & The Next’ course: http://thedailyenlightenment.com/category/06/. (You can look out for the next run next year.) Those who lack aspiration to be born in Pure Land usually do not understand its benefits adequately. This is why there is a need to study Amituofo’s vows, which are essentially about how fully he benefits us.
