Shakyamuni Buddha’s factual approach to introducing the Pure Land teaching
In Buddhism, the Pure Land teaching is a Dharma door that leads practitioners to Amitabha’s Pure Land, which is also known as the Land of Bliss, or the Land of Peace and Joy. This teaching is expounded in the three Pure Land sutras spoken by Shakyamuni Buddha, with the sole purpose of guiding beings toward rebirth in the Pure Land.
What are the three Pure Land sutras? They are the Infinite Life Sutra, the Contemplation Sutra, and the Amitabha Sutra. If one wishes to know the Pure Land teaching in its purest form, one must rely exclusively on these three scriptures, despite references to Amitabha appearing in more than 300 other texts.
To introduce Amitabha Buddha and his Pure Land of Bliss to ordinary beings like us, Shakyamuni Buddha deployed an array of literary tools in the three Pure Land sutras: analogies, numerical descriptions, time and distance references, cause-and-effect explanations, details about eligibility, practice, and benefits.
He employed a factual approach to make the teaching easier to understand, clear and accessible. This is so that ordinary beings like us can believe in and accept its existence. On hearing and accepting this teaching, we will ultimately be freed from suffering and attain true happiness.
A brief introduction to the Land of Bliss (from the Amitabha Sutra)
Where is the Land of Bliss? According to the Amitabha Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha stated:
To the west of here, passing through 10 trillion Buddha realms, is a land called Utmost Bliss. In that land resides a Buddha named Amitabha, who is now teaching the Dharma.
This passage provides a succinct introduction to the Pure Land. In the Amitabha Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha posed several questions about the names of the land and its buddha, to his chief disciple Sariputra, who was foremost in wisdom. However, Sariputra remained totally silent while hearing the entire scripture.
Many people who genuinely seek a place with no sorrow or suffering after they die, like a paradise or heaven, governed by an almighty supernatural being, like a buddha or god, may be excited on hearing the introduction in the Amitabha Sutra. They simply believe and accept it, like Sariputra.
Many ordinary beings, who believe in karma and rebirth, especially those who are burdened by past transgressions and limited virtues, fear falling into the Three Wretched Realms (hell, hungry ghosts, and animals). They may believe in and aspire to be reborn in Amitabha Buddha’s Land of Bliss.
Compassionate answers regarding the names of that land and Amitabha Buddha
Some people may have doubts about Amitabha’s Land of Bliss. The compassionate Buddha said: “Sariputra, why is that land called Bliss? Sariputra replied: “The sentient beings in that realm are free from all suffering and experience only manifold joys. That is why it is called Bliss.”
How did Sariputra know the answer, although he was an arhat, foremost in wisdom among all Shakyamuni Buddha’s Sravaka disciples? A Sravaka is a person who earnestly seeks self-liberation to end their suffering by ceasing reincarnation within the Six Realms, and to dwell in the state of no-birth and no-death through Buddhist practices.
After introducing the splendid scenes in the Land of Bliss in the Amitabha Sutra, the Buddha further said:
Sariputra, what do you think? Why is that buddha called Amitabha? It is because the buddha’s light is boundless, illuminating the lands of the ten directions without obstruction. This is why he is called Amitabha.
Furthermore Sariputra, that buddha’s lifespan, as well as those of the people in his land, last innumerable, boundless asamkhyeya-kalpas. That is why his name is Amitabha. Sariputra, since Amitabha Buddha attained buddhahood, 10 kalpas have elapsed.
These are the two meanings of Amitabha’s Name.
Only buddhas can perceive the true location of Amitabha’s Pure Land
Shakyamuni Buddha demonstrates his deep compassion for ordinary beings by introducing the Land of Bliss and Amitabha Buddha. He explains their names in a way that resonates with ordinary beings and gives them joy, hope, faith, and benefits; to make it easier for them to believe and accept the teaching as truth.
Only a buddha knows the true location of the Land of Bliss. To interest people in being reborn there, the Buddha cannot simply say it exists somewhere in the universe without giving a reference point. Thus, Shakyamuni Buddha gives us a clear and specific direction: “To the west of here, passing through 10 trillion Buddha realms.”
Some may doubt and ask, “Why is the Land of Bliss located in the west?” Traditionally, the east and west are determined by the rising and setting of the Sun. Thus, in order for ordinary beings to comprehend more easily, Buddhist sutras describe countless buddhas residing in the 10 directions of the Dharma realm. These directions are not meant to be debated, but for clarity. The Buddha must have had his own reasons for saying that. Therefore, it is better for us to be humble and respect what the Buddha said, and accept it as a matter of fact.
Similarly, some may wonder why the Land of Bliss is so far away: 10 trillion buddha realms.
Be humble and respect what the Buddha says; accept it as a matter of fact
A buddha realm is a great chiliocosm or trichiliocosm, comprising over a billion worlds. These are solar systems where a buddha teaches sentient beings. For example, Shakyamuni Buddha presides over the trichiliocosm known as the Saha World, where the planet Earth (Jambudvipa) exists.
No astronomer, no matter how advanced their telescope, and no celestial being with supernatural vision can verify the existence of the Land of Bliss. The Land of Bliss is so distant that even high-level bodhisattvas with extraordinary powers cannot reach it. It lies beyond the scope of human validation.
Shakyamuni Buddha did not present the Pure Land as something for us to prove or disprove. Instead, he framed it as a matter of faith, as an expedient means, to listen to and believe, in order to gain access to the Pure Land.
To learn and practice the Pure Land teaching, one must strictly follow the three Pure Land sutras and the commentaries made by the patriarchs of our lineage. They are not meant to be cross-referenced or debated based on other sutras, teachings, or practices from other non-Pure Land Buddhist schools.
Related features from BDG
The Process of Establishing Full Faith in Amitabha Buddha
Are There Any Prerequisites To Enter the Gateway of Amitabha’s Pure Land?
Our Role in Amitabha’s Teaching of Deliverance to the Pure Land
