Question: Since Amituofo’s (阿弥陀佛; Amitabha Buddha) Pure Land is so popular, as recommended by every Buddha for seeking birth in, if everyone aspires to be born in Amituofo’s Pure Land, will there be overcrowding? Will there be enough space for all?
Answer: Amituofo’s Pure Land has immeasurable space for immeasurable beings as it is manifested and sustained by Amituofo’s immeasurable compassion, wisdom and meritorious virtues. We know it can hold immeasurable beings as Sakyamuni Buddha taught the following in the Amitabha Sutra (阿弥陀经),
‘其数甚多，非是算数所能知之，但可以无量无边阿僧祇说。’
‘Their [all beings born in Amituofo’s Pure Land] number is extremely great, which cannot be known by counting, and can only with immeasurable and boundless asamkhyeya kalpas [i.e. incalculable world cycles] be spoken of.’
Also, worth noting is that –
- Beings do not simply accumulate to no end in Amituofo’s Pure Land as they ‘graduate’ spiritually and depart too.
- Not all beings are born in Amituofo’s Pure Land in one go.
- Amituofo’s Pure Land has resident beings who come and go due to visit of other lands, before final departure.
As such, there will never be the problem of over-population or the slightest suffering from overcrowding and such in Amituofo’s Pure Land. Again, this is assured by Sakyamuni Buddha in the Amitabha Sutra when he taught,
‘其国众生，无有众苦，但受诸乐，故名极乐。’
‘That land’s beings are without the many kinds of suffering, and only experience all kinds of bliss, which is why it is named “Ultimate Bliss”.’
