Q&A

[5] Is Pure Land Only For The Timid & Weak? 净土只适合怯弱者吗?

Views With Reviews #5 (p.247,p.329)

View: Is it so that the Easy Path (易行道) is a skilful means (方便) for the timid and weak to strengthen their Faith (信), with practice of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva’s (普贤菩萨) ten great king of vows (十大愿王)? Is it so that it is harmless to reach a Pure Land (净土), as with power of patience (忍力) attained there, all will gradually practise to be determined, to not retreat from reaching Buddhahood, thus able to do extensive difficult deeds to guide others?

Review: The Easy Path is a supreme skilful means for all beings, not just some beings. It is not only for the timid and weak, but the courageous and strong too, which is why Samantabhadra Bodhisattva’s tenth vow is to personally reach, and guide all beings to reach Amitābha Buddha’s (阿弥陀佛) Pure Land, which requires strong Faith (and Aspiration [愿]) in the first place. This path is also for all average beings in between the two kinds above.

Being the Easy Path, practice of the ten vows is not a must, as this would require common Bodhicitta (通途菩提心), which is not absolutely essential for reaching Amitābha Buddha’s Pure Land, though it can lead to higher grades of birth there. All who reach it will most swiftly give rise to firm Bodhicitta there, to have swiftest and non-retrogressive (不退转) progress towards Buddhahood.

Not only is it harmless to reach Pure Land, the benefits are immeasurably helpful for all, who can be personally guided by a Buddha directly, to most efficiently become great Bodhisattvas (大菩萨) like Samantabhadra in terms of his vows, able to guide all to Buddhahood. This is while it is most difficult to attain the power of patience (i.e. 无生法忍: Patience From Realisation Of Non-Birth Of Dharmas) in defiled lands (秽土) like ours, thus making it extremely difficult to do extensive deeds now.

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Please be mindful of your speech, Amituofo!

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