Question: Why should we seek birth in Āmítuófó’s Pure Land, instead of returning to this world immediately, to personally practise the Dharma, while guiding others to do the same?
Answer: The answer is summarised in this verse [with extended notes in brackets]:
五浊修行多退转，
不如念佛往西方。
到彼自然成正觉，
还来苦海作津梁。– 净土宗四祖法照大师
《净土五会念佛略法事仪赞》: 西方乐赞‘[As within this Evil Age of the] Five Defilements [of (the) kalpa, (with many wrong) views, (and) afflictions, (that give rise to us as) sentient beings, and (our short) lifespans] cultivating practice, many [will spiritually and physically] backslide [in this Sahā World from life to life, this is] not as good as mindfulness [of Amitābha] Buddha [i.e. Āmítuófó, to be] reborn [in his] Western [Pure Land. Upon] reaching that [land, there will be] natural accomplishment [of] right awakening, [due to its most excellent Dharma learning and practice conditions, before] returning [to this] sea [of] suffering [as realised Bodhisattvas, to] be bridges [to guide others to Āmítuófó’s Pure Land, for the same swiftest progress to Bodhisattvahood and Buddhahood].’
– Pure Land Tradition’s 4th Patriarch Great Master Fazhào (Rituals And Praise Of Outline Of Dharma Ceremonies Of Pure Land’s Five Assemblies Of Mindfulness Of Buddha: Praise Of The Western Pure Land’s Bliss)
As such, it will be increasingly difficult, especially in this also Dharma-Ending Age, to continually personally practise the Dharma progressively in this world, life after life. It will thus be even more difficult to progress on the Bodhisattva path of guiding others to do the same. Therefore, it is both compassionate and wise to one and all, to first personally reach Āmítuófó’s Pure Land, for swift spiritual cultivation to be qualified Bodhisattvas, before returning to this world. This is the most immediate way to be truly efficient Bodhisattvas.
Related Article:
Double Trouble Of The Evil Period & Dharma-Ending Age
https://purelanders.com/2017/12/30/double-trouble-of-the-evil-period-dharma-ending-age
