E-Learning Programs

For whom interested in looking at how to harmonize the two practice of Chan and Pure Land schools, I found this link may provide some good ideas for your brainstorming and understanding.

Enjoy reading!

Pure Land Buddhism - Dialogs with Ancient Masters by Patriach Chih I and Master T'ien Ju (translated into English by Master Thich Thien Tam): http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/pureland.pdf

Some examples:

(Page 13) When a practitioner is busy visualizing the Buddha or reciting the Buddha's name, he cannot commit transgressions or violate the Buddhist precepts. Therefore, he has effectively fulfilled the paramita of Discipline. Likewise, reciting the Buddha's name with a completely focused Mind is nothing less than fulfilling the paramita of Concentration.

(Page 14) At the absolute level, however, everything, including the Pure Land and Amitabha Buddha, is Mind-Only, a product of our Mind. This key Mahayana teaching is reflected in the paradox "True Emptiness Wonderful Existence!".

(Page 27) The Buddha replied, "Sentient beings in this Saha World generally have polluted, scattered minds. Therefore, I only extol one pure land in the West, focusing their Minds on a single realm. If they meditate on all Buddhas, the scope of attention will be too broad, their Minds will be lost and scattered and they will find samadhi difficult to attain. Thus, they will fail to achieve rebirth in the Pure Land. Furthermore, seeking the virtues of one Buddha is the same as seeking the virtues of all Buddhas - as all Buddha have one common Dharma Nature. That is why to focus on Amitaba Buddha is to focus on all Buddhas, to be born in the Western Pure Land is to be born in all pure lands".

(Page 32) About why "self-power" with Ten Paramitas reaching Sixth Abode of Boddhisattvahood and Seventh Abode, and enter the stage of the "Seed of Buddhahood" still can't make a person enter the Pure Land.

(Page 146) The opinion of the Chan School's Sixth Patriarch Huineng about Pure Land: understanding the two aspects of any method: the noumenon (principle) and the phenomena aspect.

Trang