Why is Buddha Amitabha So Prevalent in China?
A large ancient statue of Amitabha Buddha in Kamakura, Japan
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Pastor David)
A month ago, I was with Tsem Rinpoche and a bunch of other people in a car. In a conversation about China, Rinpoche suddenly asked us, “Why is Buddha Amitabha so prevalent in China?” Silence ensued for a few moments as everyone struggled to recall what they knew on this unexpected subject matter. Finally, someone said, “In China, there are many schools of Buddhism and the school of Buddhism that grew very big actually prayed to Buddha Amitabha…”
“But that didn’t answer my question,” Rinpoche interjected.
Then, a whole slew of perspectives on the matter was raised but all of them were off the mark or near misses that didn’t even come close to answering the question. So, Rinpoche asked us to research and said that it would be interesting to know the reasons for Buddha Amitabha’s popularity in the Middle Kingdom.
This whole discussion piqued my interest in the subject as I recalled how common it was to see car stickers bearing the mantra ‘Namo Amitabha’ along with a yellow Dharma wheel. It is quite easy to see how popular the worship of Buddha Amitabha is but nobody knew why.
The Origins of Pure Land Buddhism
Lokaksema
I did a bit of research on the matter and I found that the worship of Buddha Amitabha arose from a school of Buddhism called ‘Pure Land Buddhism’. Although this tradition is very much associated with China, the earlier teachings arose in India and quickly became very popular in Kashmir and Central Asia.
The Pure Land teachings were brought to China in 147 CE by a Kushan monk by the name of Lokaksema, who translated the very first Buddhist Sutras into Chinese. The principle Pure Land sutras consist of the Shorter Sukhavativyuha Sutra, the Longer Sukhavativyuha Sutra, and the Amitayurdhyana Sutra. When it arrived in China, it slowly became massively popular before spreading to Japan, where it also eventually became very popular.
The spread of Buddhism in Asia
Buddha Amitabha
This illustration of Buddha Amitabha is in an ancient print of the Diamond Sutra. This manuscript is in the world’s oldest dated wood-block printed book (circa 868 CE)
In order to understand how Pure Land Buddhism became so entrenched in China and Japan, we have to understand its teachings. The Pure Land tradition revolves around the worship of Buddha Amitabha. The practice involves recitation of the name mantra of Buddha Amitabha as a means to develop mindfulness and to generate the merit to take rebirth in his Pure Land of Sukhavati, which is also known as the Western Paradise.
The Pure Land is a distant place that is emanated from the mind of Buddha Amitabha. It is a place in which a practitioner can take rebirth through devotion and Amitabha Buddha’s practice and thereby continue in their spiritual practice in order to become a fully enlightened being.
It is said that the necessities are easy to come by in a Pure Land and so one is able to practice uninterruptedly until one gains full Enlightenment. One would have the pleasure of being taught directly by Buddha Amitabha in this Pure Land. Therefore, just taking rebirth in Sukhavati is seen as synonymous to achieving full Enlightenment.
An exquisite sculpture of the Buddha Amitabha from Tang Dynasty China. (circa 7th Century CE)
The basis for Sukhavati is explained in the Sukhavativyuha Sutras which relates the story of an ancient king by the name of Dharmakara who lived during the time of Lokeshvararaja, a Buddha of a distant age. Dharmakara was one of the previous lives of Amitabha Buddha before he became fully enlightened. One day, the Bodhisattva Dharmakara heard a teaching of Lokeshvararaja and he was so inspired that he immediately renounced his kingdom and became ordained as a monk.
Dharmakara aspired to create a place referred to as the ‘Land of Bliss’ where people could go after their death and from there, gain spiritual awakening. Therefore, Dharmakara took on 48 vows and these vows encapsulate his aspirations. When he eventually become enlightened, he was able to actualise his vows.
The 18th vow called the Vow of the Ten Recitations is at the heart of Pure Land Buddhism. In this vow, Dharmakara promises that he will be known as Amitabha Buddha in his enlightened state and if he is called upon by anyone 10 times in this state, that person will be reborn in his Pure Land.
The Popularity of the Pure Land Teachings
A resplendent mural of Sukhavati Pure Land with Buddha Amitabha in the center of one of the Mogao Caves of Dunhuang, Gansu province of China. (circa 7th-8th Century CE)
In ancient times, the general populace of China and Japan struggled to survive. They were constantly plagued by war, disease, calamities, poverty and so forth.
In addition, education was scarce and it was basically a luxury afforded only by the upper class and the wealthy. Most people at that time were illiterate and unexposed. Therefore, complicated foreign Buddhist philosophies and practices were beyond the scope and comprehension of most of the population.
So, when the Pure Land belief system and practice arrived in China, Buddhism was simplified by the Indian and Chinese monks and taught to the ordinary man. The thought of taking rebirth in the Pure Land of Sukhavati offered hope, salvation and Enlightenment for the ordinary man on the street. All that was required was the non-harming of others by adopting a vegetarian diet, the recitation of Buddha Amitabha’s mantra and the leading of a virtuous life. This paved the way for Buddhism to seep into the everyday life of the ordinary man in ancient China and Japan.
Pure Land teachings simplified complicated philosophies, rituals and meditational techniques of Buddhism so that there was hope even for the illiterate. Prior to this, Buddhism was very much associated with the intellectuals and scholars who discussed, debated and expounded on the subtleties of Buddhist philosophy. However, the arrival of Pure Land Buddhism heralded a whole new era where Buddhism became massively popular among the general population. This is when Buddhism really took root in China and Japan.
Ksitigarbha, Buddha Amitabha and Dorje Shugden. Click on image to enlarge or for more high resolution thangka downloads click here.
Three Saints of the Western Pureland – Amituofo, Dashizhi and Kuan Yin together with Dorje Shugden. Click on image to enlarge or for more high resolution thangka downloads click here.
Buddha Amitabha and Kuan Yin together with Dorje Shugden. Click on image to enlarge or for more high resolution thangka downloads click here.
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Centuries after Buddhism originated in India, the Mahayana Buddhism arrived in China through the Silk Route. The worship of Buddha Amitabha arose from a school of Buddhism. The Origins of Pure Land Buddhism began in India around the 2nd century BCE. It spread to China and then spread to Japan around the 6th century. Buddhism in China was undoubtedly quite different from Buddhism which was originally practiced in India. In China the beginnings of the Pure Land Buddhism are traced back as far as the 4th century, practitioners meditated on the name of Amitabha. The Buddhists believe that this deity helps in regeneration and improvement and has became icons used all over China. In China, the Pure Land sutras and teachings are based on Amitabha Buddha. It then spread and became dominant in other Asian countries as well.
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor David for this teachings
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor David Lai for this interesting and informative post. I have no knowledge of Amitabha Buddha till I came across this article. Buddhism, a cultural system of beliefs and practices based on principles of compassion and non-attachment, originated in the sixth century BCE. Buddha Amitabha’s Pure Land teachings was spread along the Silk Road as early as 147 CE, and other trade routes and became popular in China during the Han dynasty . It was brought to China by Buddhist monks from India and took over a century to become accustomed into Chinese culture. Buddha Amitabha’s Pure Land teaching was deeply coloured with magical practices, making it compatible with popular Chinese Taoism Pure Land teachings were simplified for complicated and make it easy even for those illiterate. Over time Buddhism became a popular force in the lives of the Chinese, from the common people to the emperor himself in ancient China and Japan. Traveling along this route, Buddhism was later spread to Japan from Korea in the sixth century. I do enjoyed reading and i can understand a little much better, still plenty to learn.
With folded hands thanks again.
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor David for the teaching. Now i know why Buddha Amitabha is so famous among Chinese communities. As i got feedback from mahayana practitioners that it is much easier to practice than Vajrayana. ?
Complex philosophies of Buddhism were alien to the masses in China, who were poor, uneducated and illiterate. Thus when simplified Buddhism in the form of the Pure Land practice of Amitabha was brought by monks to China, the masses immediately took to it. The thought of taking rebirth in Sukhavati, the Pureland of Amitabha, offered hope to the masses – the hope of salvation and Enlightenment. All that was required was the non-harming of others by adopting a vegetarian diet, the recitation of Buddha Amitabha’s mantra and the leading of a virtuous life. Thus the arrival of Pure Land Buddhism brought to China, a new era of Buddhism, where it became a widespread practice, as it was embraced by the masses. Buddhism thus took root in China and also in Japan.
The repeated chanting of the mantra allows for a deep meditation practice , where one replaces the impure thoughts of the mind with pure thoughts, achieve single-minded focus and ultimately gain entry into the Pure Land of Sukhavati or the Western Paradise at death.
Nevertheless, I agree that the continuous purification of negativities , the accumulation of merits,and the transformation of the mind are essential practices of Buddhism.
Thank you Pastor David for this blogpost, which explains why the practice of Amitabha Buddha is so popular in China.
The chart of the flow of Buddhism into China and Japan is interesting. From what I encountered within the Japanese community in Hawaii, Jodoshinsu which is a off-shoot of Pureland Buddhism, is very pre-dominant there. Jodoshinsu was brought over to Hawaii by the Japanese when they migrated to the Hawaiian island looking for a brighter future about 200 years ago.
So, as with the Chinese, the promise of a better way and place to practice till enlightenment is the key draw. The other key draw is that any lay person can practice and have hopes of achieving enlightenment; no need of complicated rituals or philosophies to get results.
Thank you, Pastor David for the background of how Pureland Buddhism evolved and migrated from India into China. It has given me a better perspective on Pureland Buddhism.
Due to the aspiration of an ancient king, Dharmakara, a previous life of Buddha Amitabha before full enlightenment, the doctrine of Buddha Amitabha was established in the form of Pure Land to benefit his citizenry.
The Pure Land doctrine was specifically “designed” for the poor and illiterate common Chinese to gain merits to practise with simplicity so that they may achieve a better rebirth.
Amazing story of compassion which made Buddhism prevalent in China and Japan up to this day. Understanding why and how it happened is truly inspirational for us to continue to have the Dharma grow to benefit others.
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor David for this lesson.
I learnt about Amithabha and had much faith in the mantra, and the Buddha. I learnt Om Mani Padme Hum first, but Amithabha’s imagery and mantra brought more comfort to me somehow. Perhaps I was also Chinese in my past life.
Thanks PDL for the research and simplifying for our reading. Often, a practice, buddha or mantra gained much fame but yet we have zero knowledge about it. In Kechara, we know much about Dharmapala Setrap, the wrathful emation of Amitabha but so little of Amitabha.
With this new knowledge, it’s no wonder Amitabha Buddha’s practice really shed hope to the mass because his practice is part of the daily life. To do good and observe vegetarianism should be as natural as it gets.
Hi all,
https://www.facebook.com/AMiTuoFuDeHaiZi/videos/904909889541088/
Above is a link to a video on rebirth in Sukhavati according to the scriptures. The last grades of rebirth particularly moved me. There are real anecdotes documented for sinful people (even mice and chickens) who because of the ripening of their affinity with the Pureland gained rebirth there. My face covered with tears as I think about it. For the highest rebirth, we can be a proficient Tantrika in this life, but dedicate all our practices to Sukhavati, then gain rebirth there and become like our Yidam. Do enjoy! 🙂
Thank you Pastor David Lai for the above post. As far as I know, you are indeed right to say that this practice is simple where it simplified complicated philosophies. It suits people who are simple minded and especially those peasants I think. It does offer hope, salvation and Enlightenment through continuous chanting of the sacred mantra of Buddha Amitabha. Also thanks for the extra info on the previous life of Buddha Amitabha, Dharmakara.
Great tnx.
It is said that beginning of Pure Land Buddhism was in year 402, when Ven. Huiyuan, with 123 of his disciples, took a vow before an image of the Buddha Amitabha that they all would earnestly strive for rebirth in the Western Paradise (Amitabha’s Pure Land Sukhavati) and help one another to reach it.
It is commonly know that the school promotes the idea that the simplest way to practice is by focusing the mind with “mindfulness of the Buddha” through recitation of the name of Amitabha Buddha. As one keeps chanting and the mind focuses on the sound of “Amituofo,” errant thoughts are replaced with pure thoughts, to reach single-pointed concentration, and ultimately to gain entry to Western Paradise at the time of death.
In the versions of the sutra widely known in China, Vietnam, Korea and Japan, Dharmakāra’s eighteenth vow was that any being in any universe desiring to be born into Amitābha’s Pure Land and calling upon his name even as few as ten times will be guaranteed rebirth there.
The second patriarch of the Pure Land school, Shandao, is said to recite Amitabha’s mantra day and night without interruption, each time emitting light from his mouth. Therefore he was bestowed with the title “Great Master of Light” (大师光明) by the Tang Dynasty emperor Gao Zong (高宗).
The simplified philosophies, rituals and meditational techniques of Pure Land teachings may have led the illiterate or general public to think of the practice as a Buddhist version of salvation by grace merely through recitation, hence the popularity of this method/ school.
Thank You Pastor David Lai for the profound sharing. I was from Pure Land sec before joining Kechara. I engaged in Pure Land Sec center in US during my school time here. The reason of joining Kechara is I failed to find any Pure Land Sec Center suits my need. Thank You to Pastor Patsy for opening KP in Penang which open another door for my Dharma practice.
I am sure my ultimate goal is to go to pure land but which pure land should I go; Kechara or Western Pure Land? I struggled for a long time till finally I made up my mind to just follow my Guru’s instruction. All I need to do is to do/learn my Dharma practice/teaching according to my Guru teaching/instruction. It will not be wrong, leave/surrender the rest to Guru.
When I first encountered Buddhism it was through Namo Amitabha chanting and His image that can be seen everywhere. Buddha Amitabha practice is basically widespread almost in every Chinese society. However, I did not know much about Buddha Amitabha other than his mantra and image, let alone the whole concept of Buddhism..For me, it was more like the tradition in the family that has been passed down for decades. So the young generation just follow what the adults do.
Master Hui Yuan (慧远法师) was one of the most influential practitioners of Buddha Amitabha in China who established the Pure Land School or White Lotus Society. Here’s a link of Master Hui Yuan and the transformation of Buddhism in China : http://wenshuchan-online.weebly.com/hui-yuan-and-the-transformation-of-buddhism-in-china.html
This post is very interesting and informative. It shows that Buddhism is very flexible in many ways to suit the people of that time and place. It can manifest in any way for the people to accept it so that Dharma can grow in that area and time.
Buddha Amitabha’s practice is so simple that even the people in those difficult time with no education or peaceful life can practice. It gives them hope in their life and also offer a chance for them to escape from their difficult situation. When Vajrayana Buddhism is being introduced into the same place, it did not go far in that community because the condition for the community to accept and practise it is not there.
This is a perfect example to how Dharma can penetrate into any community regardless of culture and background.
Chris
It is true that the worship of Buddha Amitabha was popular among the ordinary Chinese people, especially the poorer and illiterate families. This practice came to Malaysia with the Chinese immigrants. I remember when I was small, I was taught the Amitabha mantra by my mother for protection. When we walked on lonely and dark roads, we would chant the mantra to feel safe. When I asked my father what religion we practised, he said, “the Chinese religion”.
Dear Sarah,
I love how your dad answered your question by saying, “the Chinese religion”. I don’t think most Chinese comprehend the separation between folk beliefs and Buddhism. This is not to mention Taoist, Confucian elements as well. However, due to the success of Pureland belief system, Buddhism has somehow found a place in most Chinese amalgamated belief system. The idea of karma and reincarnation runs very strong in this.
The extension of Mahayana Buddhism in Asia is a history topic that traced back to 147 C.E. Given the social circumstances at that point in time, majority of the citizen struggled to stay safe and made ends meet. Religion, and especially a profound one like Buddhism was considered as unreachable because it was associated with intellectual while majority of the citizen were illiterate. So when Buddha Amitabha’s Pure Land teaching arrived at ancient China, it offered a chance of salvation to the people on the street by cultivating their positive human nature. Which was something the people can understand and practice. Pure Land teaching stem from the noble aspiration of Dharmakara; who took vows to let anyone who called upon Him (in his enlightened state)10 times, be reborn in his Pure Land. Being reborn in Pure Land means the person would receive teaching directly from Buddha Amitabha himself, and because of the ample of resources available; they are able to practice dharma uninterruptedly.
Thank you Rinpoche for asking this question and Pastor David for doing the research to benefit us.
The diagram on the extension of Mahayana Buddhism in Asia is simple and easy to follow. It helps lay practitioners like me to be able to explain clearer to friends and families who ask questions.
Humbly, bowing down,
Stella Cheang
Thank you for the article. I very much agreed with what was written in this article. Majority of Chinese people during the dynasty eras are illiterate because education costs money. Only the elites and nobles get to study and become educated. For the common folks they struggled to survive. There is little hope for them to understand complicated concepts even more so the complex Buddhist studies and philosophies.
For me personally when I was much younger my parents taught me to chant Amitabha Buddha name mantra for protection. When one is outside late at night and alone chant his name. Whatever that was pass on when the Chinese immigrant left China were mostly likely have been lost and forgotten. I don’t even hear about Pure Land until I did some reading on Buddha Amitabha.
Most Chinese families who came from a Taoist background have strong natural belief in deities and the protection the deities accorded with. I belief that is how they easily accepted Amitabha Buddha name mantra into Taoist belief, the name mantra giving hope of good future rebirth.
Dear Pastor David,
Other few points I think why Pureland School is the most popular form of Buddhism in northeast Asia:
1. Historically and politically, Pureland School does not need any lineage and institutionalised protection. It is thus able to survive wars and other major and frequent catastrophes. Unlike Vajrayana, which entered China long before the Tibetan s are Buddhists, the simplicity and hope generated by Pureland School can be practised and preached by any individual.
2. Pureland School has been actively promoted even by high realised masters from many advanced Buddhist sects, like Tiantai and Weishi (Cittamatrin). This lends tremendous doctrinal support for the supposedly easy practise.
3. Pureland is easy to practise. The famous Master Yin Guang with a stern demeanour, himself an emanation of Vajrapani, said that rebirth in Pureland is based purely on faith and willingness to be born there, the grade of rebirth is however dictated by the power of recitation of Amitabha Buddha. This somehow corresponds with Lama Tsongkhapa’s “Prayer for Rebirth in Sukhavati”, which describes how a sinful and deluded being, through cries for Amitabha’s salvation, becomes a Bodhisattva waiting to be a Buddha.
4. The results of Pureland practise is guaranteed and universal. There are no shortage of anecdotes of beings from the lower realms like mice and chicken, even non-Buddhists and even sinful men and women, gaining rebirth through sincere recitation on the deathbed. You may search YouTube for those videos. Practitioners passed away from this life through auspicious acts that can only be observed from enlightened masters of the other Buddhist schools. For example, the appearance of relics after cremation, knowing one’s date of samsara departure, dying while sitting and standing bidding farewell to all loved ones without suffering etc.
Pureland practise is a one that is preached spontaneously by Shakyamuni Buddha and Lama Tsongkhapa. It is praised by all Buddhas. This rarely occurred. With palms clasped, I will sing praises of Amitabha and His 18th Vow in all my lifetimes!
Dear Lester,
I don’t know if you will see this but I have never read of ordinary practitioners of pureland become attained merely by recitation. Are there any examples. I would very much like to know and rejoice. Once, an ordinary practitioner achieve the signs that you mention, they must have gained some attainments. Hence, I would very much like to read about it. I am guessing it would be in Chinese, so could you kindly just give a brief overview of the story in English here. Thank you. That would be very nice.
Dear Pastor Lai, thank you for your interest in Pureland school. Sukhavati is the Pureland most mentioned in scriptures. It is the easiest to go. Amitabha Buddha has great affinity with us too. Every major masters that founded and spread the different schools of Buddhism are somehow related to him, including Guru Padmasambhava. Even Lama Tsongkhapa manifested in Amitabha style flanked by his disciples who are emanation of Chenrezig and Vajrapani.
The question you have asked is a big one.
1. If by attainments you meant enlightenment, it is possible. There is no lack of examples of yogis and laypeople in Tibet who gained enlightenment or realisation purely from reciting mantras like Om Mani Padme Hung. So it is possible to gain enlightenment through chanting Amitabha name. And yes, most resources are in Chinese. For recent famous realised beings you may want to Google on Reverend Daozheng 道证法师. However, like all Buddhist practices, the degree of attainments is dependent on merits and wisdom. Enlightened Pureland practitioners are usually those who have gained insights into the teachings, and have developed a certain degree of wisdom. But according to Vajrapani, in the Surangama Sutra (大势至菩萨念佛圆通章） enlightenment through Nian Fo, another name for Amitabha recitation or mindfulness of the Buddha, is possible if one is earnest. This is nonetheless a huge topic that will take another independent discussion.
2. Back to what I think your real interest is. Are those who have displayed auspicious signs upon death necessarily enlightened beings? The answer is no. This is the inconceivable part. It is purely through our faith and the power of Amitabha that rebirth is gained. One need not be egoistic if good signs show. Because this is through the Buddha’s grace that we attain everlasting life (to borrow the Christian saying and interestingly, Amitayus, the other name Fo Amitabha Buddha, means everlasting life). The miraculous accounts of rebirths are duly documented in volumes known as Records of Pureland Sages 净土圣贤录. Around me too, there are many anecdotes of miracles of ordinary people who gained rebirth in Pureland. I have a friend who volunteered to lead recitation sessions for convicts sentenced to death in Changi Prison. He too has many tales to tell. They are all true moving stories. With the recitation, strong regret can be generated. But depending on the propensities of the practitioner, some only gained good rebirth in samsara (and according to Amitabha vows, even good samsara rebirth through reciting his name means becoming someone who can practise Dharma rather effortlessly!). So to most Pureland practitioners, attainment means achieving rebirth in Sukhavati. And like what your article said, this is synonymous with becoming a realised being because once we are there, our appearance, merits and powers are like any advanced Bodhisattva. We are like the prodigal son returning to the house of his royal parent. Now, what will it be like to be a Bodhisattva in Sukhavati? The answer is in the King of Prayers.
I am an ignorant and immoral Buddhist who cannot even perfect the basic precepts. What I have said above are mostly words of the more wise and knowledgeable. There are many things to elaborate upon. Just like it is not possible to explain Vajrayana Buddhism in one post, neither is it plausible for defining Pureland Buddhism in such a short article. You can Google and ask other Pureland practitioners on the subject as well. Wish you the best in your spiritual search!
Dear Pastor David,
This article let me think about the Tzu Ji organisation. In Tzu Ji Buddhist organisation, mostly they did many charity works. All these work related to poor people, people who are unfortunate, and it become very popular amongst rich and medium people. This is because by serving others, helping the poor, in touch deep down to people that they are kind, and they feel good by helping people.
Shakyamuni- when Shakyamuni Buddha teach Dharma, Buddha did not taught in the sanskrits language that is use by noble people at the time. He taught in Pali language where most common people used.
Thus, Buddhism is actually very practical. It suit everyone’s culture, mind and lifestyle. In other religion, maybe there is a ultimate book to guide. But Buddhism seem there is no guideline, but in which lineage you follow. Either Theravadan, Mahayana or Vajrayana. Thus, we should not condemn on which lineage is better than which. Because different people needs different’s path to head to enlightenment
Thank you for this article
Regards
Freon
Dear Freon,
Tzu Ji and Rev Cheng Yen’s lineage is Humanism Buddhism (as far as I recall). Their doctrine focuses very much on outer expressions of compassion, which is very good. However, just doing good alone and the good karma accrued does not save one from rebirth in any of the 6 realms because doing lots of charity does not purify negative imprints and karma. However, it is likely that one who does a lot of charity would be born in a good place still. It also does not transform the mind that much. However, it is much better than not doing anything at all.
amo Amitabha or 南無阿弥陀佛 is synonymous to Buddhist in the Asia Region, especially in China, and Japan. It is also very well known amongst Buddhist in Malaysia as well, especially everyone striving to gained enlightenment and ascend to the Pure Land of Sukhavati, or Western Paradise.
But not many of us knows the reason why the propitiation of Buddha Amitabha so well known in China, this post by Pastor David explained it well for us.
Thank you Pastor David for the clear explanation on Buddha Amitabha. I have friends who follow Amitabha practices and can’t explain why the practice is so prevalent in China. I also wondered why the practice was so simple. They only had to chant the mantra daily in front of an image of Amitabha and they will ascend to Pure Land when they pass away. I thought that perhaps my friends didn’t receive the proper set of practice.
Regardless of my thoughts, a friend of mine who is a strong practitioner of Amitabha transformed a lot. She is more grounded, focused, at peace and more kind. Even her family supports her in her practice when they see her transformation.
Every sentient being has a chance of Enlightenment. Even those who are born with the karma of being illiterate have effective practices to help them get closer to being Enlightened.
Buddha Amitabh with his two disciples Avalokitesvara and Samanthabhadra are generally very popular in China, and among the Chinese. Having a strong connection with these deities, almost everyone is able to recite “Namo Amitabha” since young. Buddhism has always changed its outlook to suit the people’s need at a particular time, however the essence is maintain no change. In ancient China, there were wars outbreak everywhere, people were living in poverty. Sickness and death are common. The practice of pure land is perfect for that time. Simple, easy, the people often has placed their last hopes on Buddha Amitabha. Living in an era where you are not certain of continuing for the next day, people are generally hope for a better rebirth and to ceased the current sufferings. By looking upon Buddha Amitabha’s peaceful and graceful’s face, people placed hope for a better future lives.
Dear Paul,
In the Chinese tradition, Buddha Amitabha is usually depicted with Kuan Yin and Mahastamaprapta, and not Samantabhadra. In the Tibetan tradition, it is Chenrezig and Vajrapani. However, Vajrapani and Mahastamamprapta is considered the same bodhisattva as they are emanation of the same being.
Thank you Pastor David… this is indeed interesting to know that Buddha Amitabha practice grew to such popularity because of the fact that it offered hope to the lay – “man of the street” to be able to take rebirth in the Pure Land of Sukhavati “heaven”. I did never knew this… and now I learnt something new 🙂
How compassionate are the Buddhas are like Dharmakara who promised to be known as Amitabha Buddha in his enlightened state and if he is called upon by anyone 10 times in this state, that person will be reborn in his Pure Land. This kind of vow really gives so much hope to those who are not educated, the poor, and the majority who are commoners.
I believe Lokaksema must be also be Bodhisattva who translated the very first Buddhist Sutras into Chinese otherwise Buddhism would not take root in China and from there spread all over the world.
I like the illustration map of how Buddhism spread from China to other parts of Asia and evolved in to different schools of practice. I also realise that China seem to always be the pioneer of something big. It certainly would be super awesome if Dorje Shugden lineage could take root in certain countries like CHina and from there spread throughout the world! It happened with Buddha Amitabha’s practice, why not for Dorje Shugden and besides Buddha Amitable sits right at the top floor of Dorje Shugden’s mandala… I guess He really is so many people’s Guru, even Tara’s.
Dear Rinpoche
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor David for the teaching.Now i know why Buddha Amitabha is so famous among Chinese communities.
Yes, Buddha Amitabha is so famous among Chinese communities, i can say that most of the chinese also know how to chant the name of Buddha Amitabha: Namo A Mi Tuo Fo.
Last time before i was introduced to Tibetan Buddhism, I chanted the name of Buddha Amitabha too.
Thank you for the teaching that now i know the origin of Pura Land Buddhism and how it spreaded to China and Japan
Thank you
Wylfred Ng
Thanks for your sharing. Hope is a driving force.
Great story, thanks for sharing