Question: Why is Pure Land adorned with so much bling (precious gems and such), when the Dharma alone is enough? Answer: There are many reasons why Pure Land is adorned so. A...
Latest Posts
Are Purelanders Truly One Life from Buddhahood?
Question: It is commonly taught that Purelanders will only take one more rebirth before becoming a Buddha. However, it is also said that prior to attaining Buddhahood in the human...
Is Pure Land Formless or Mind-Only?
In the actual Pure Land tradition, that is, not as re-interpreted by other traditions [e.g. Chan (Zen) and Wei-shi (Yogacara; Mind-only)] as skilful means to fit their teachings...
How to Prevent Untimely Death
Question: Someone I know is constantly worried of untimely death (e.g. by disaster or accident). Any advice to share? Answer: There is a way to ensure that one does not have an...
Can Saṃsāra Lead to Buddhahood More Efficiently Than Pure Land?
Question: Some assume that Saṃsāra (i.e. 生死轮回: the cycle of births and deaths) is good for spiritual cultivation exactly because of its imperfections, and the...
What are the Birds Singing in Pureland?
Question: What are the ‘five roots of goodness, the five powers, the seven practices leading to Enlightenment [seven factors of Enlightenment], and the Eightfold Noble...
The Pure Land Way of Sharing Merits 净土回向法 (Simplified) Dedication Text 回向文（白话）
回向文Dedication Text愿以此功德May these meritorious virtues庄严佛净土Adorn the Buddha’s Pure Land,上报四重恩Repay the four weighty sources of kindness above,下济三途苦And relieve suffering of the three...
Can Immeasurable Life Be Attained Without Birth in Pure Land?
Question: Why is it not possible to attain immeasurable life in this life by practising mindfulness of the Buddha of Immeasurable Life And Light (Amituofo) well? Answer: It is...
[8] My Mother’s Birth in Pureland
My mother was gravely ill in the Intensive Care Unit for 25 days. On the 2nd of May 2009, we decided to bring her home for her last breaths. Fifteen minutes after arriving home...
[7] Gratitude to Amituofo
Hi, just to share… as I was just reading the sutra that you [Shi’an] have translated into English from Chinese, I felt a strong sense of gratitude towards your great...