Master Shandao’s Exegesis of the Sincere Mind, Part Two
Alan Kwan
16 December 2016
In the first part of our exploration of the Sincere Mind, we concluded that there was a problem. Apparently, to be reborn in the Land
Master Shandao’s Exegesis of the Sincere Mind, Part One
Alan Kwan
9 December 2016
The Sincere Mind is the Genuine Mind Let us look at Master Shandao’s explanation of the Threefold State of Mind in his Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra.
The Threefold State of Mind: The Complete Concept of Faith in Pure Land Buddhism
Alan Kwan
25 November 2016
Since February this year, we have been discussing the importance of faith and its role in Pure Land Buddhism. In this instalment I hope to
What is a Buddha?
Alan Kwan
11 November 2016
A finger pointing at the moon The simple question of “What is a Buddha?” was raised in a casual discussion with a venerable Pure Land
Amitabha’s Name is the Essence of the Pure Land Teachings
Alan Kwan
24 June 2016
Deliverance of sentient beings through the Name According to Buddhism, Buddhas have four different ways of delivering sentient beings in the Ten Directions: 1. Bodily
The Active Principle of Amitabha’s Deliverance in Pure Land Buddhism
Alan Kwan
10 June 2016
Is Amitabha truly existent? We know about Amitabha Buddha from the three Pure Land sutras spoken by the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni. However, just as Shakyamuni
Another Characteristic of Faith in Buddhism: Inheritance
Alan Kwan
27 May 2016
The root of virtue can be inherited life after life In Buddhism, faith is the first of the Five Roots of Virtue—faith, zeal, mindfulness (invocation),
“Faith through Devotion” is Favored over “Faith through Interpretation” in Pure Land Buddhism
Alan Kwan
15 April 2016
One must have previously cultivated deep roots of virtue in past lives in order to believe in the teachings of Pure Land Buddhism upon first
Three Ways to Introduce the Pure Land Teachings in the Three Pure Land Sutras
Alan Kwan
5 February 2016
In my last article, we discussed three modes of belief in religious teachings: belief through direct experience (factual evidence); belief through irrefutable deduction (comparative analysis);
How is Dedication Related to Rebirth in the Land of Bliss?
Alan Kwan
8 January 2016
No dedication required for rebirth in the Pure Land through the primary practices Why is it important to differentiate between the Mind of Merit-dedication and
More about Merit-Dedication and Rebirth-Aspiration
Alan Kwan
24 December 2015
A summary of the mind of merit-dedication and rebirth-aspiration By relying on the general understanding of the dedication of merit in the traditional bodhisattva teachings, some
Why Is It Important for Pure Land Aspirants to Dedicate their Merit and Aspire to Rebirth in the Path of Importance?
Alan Kwan
27 November 2015
All beings can be reborn in the Land of Bliss if they dedicate and aspire accordingly Referring to the teachings of the two Buddhas, Master