Can Shakyamuni Buddha Enable Us to be Reborn in the Pure Land?
Alan Kwan
9 June 2026
Amitabha’s deliverance is pro-active, equal and unconditional, predicated on attaining Buddhahood in the Pure Land on the Easy Path
Attaining Assured Rebirth by Returning to Amitabha Recitation
Alan Kwan
25 August 2025
Exploring how the Contemplation Sutra, far from discouraging the exclusive practice of Amitabha-recitation, affirms it
Queen Vaidehi’s Sight of Two Buddhas Emitting Light in the Contemplation Sutra
Alan Kwan
26 August 2024
In a core story of the Pure Land canon, Queen Vaidehi perceived two buddhas emitting divine light that provided insight into the Pure Land
Shakyamuni Buddha’s Counsel to be Reborn in the Land of Bliss
Alan Kwan
22 March 2024
The Pure Land Buddhist tradition is affirmed by Shakyamuni Buddha’s encouragement to strive for rebirth in the Land of Bliss
Master Shandao’s Exegesis on the Deep Mind—The Four Scenarios of Doubt: Part I
Alan Kwan
23 June 2017
An effective yardstick for measuring faith The spiritual capacities, virtuous roots, and aptitudes of sentient beings vary greatly. No one is identical in his or
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
The Cause of Assured Rebirth in Amitabha’s Pure Land, Part 2
Alan Kwan
28 October 2016
Causes of rebirth in different realms With regard to my previous article* discussing the cause of assured rebirth in Amitabha’s Pure Land, many readers were surprised
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
“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
The Only Sutra Spoken to Ordinary Beings for Ultimate Liberation
Alan Kwan
30 October 2015
The significance of the Buddha’s response to Queen Vaidehi’s request In examining the literal meaning of the title of the Contemplation Sutra, we may have the
Karmic Circumstance—Who Is Entitled to be Reborn in the Pure Land?
Alan Kwan
16 October 2015
Meditative practitioners are entitled to rebirth in the Pure Land In the Contemplation Sutra, Queen Vaidehi asks Shakyamuni Buddha to teach her how to meditate and