Lesson 11 introduces the Jodo Shu or Japanese Pure Land tradition founded by Honen in 1175,
(ref p.5)
The handouts state that the "school teaches that anyone who believes in Amitabha's original vow and recites his name will be reborn in the Pure Land."
For comparison, Jodo.org states, "Try to recite the Nembutsu and the Pure Land (the Land of Ultimate Bliss) will soon be realized in your mind."
This points to a critical distinction between those who, for lack of a better term, regard the Pure Land (or nirvana for that matter) as an address, a locus, somewhere one goes, as exhibited by what is presented in the notes as the Chinese concept of the Pure Land, and the view of attainment (whether of the Pure Land or nirvana) as a realization here and now, an awakening, a change of view rather than a change of venue.
(ref pp 7-8 of the handout notes)
With regard to chanting the name of Amitabha (Amida in Jodo Shu), Jodo.org states, "In Jodo Shu, we value the recitation of the nembutsu, "Namu Amida Butsu", because it means "total reliance upon the compassion of Amida Buddha."
