PURELAND BUDDHISM

What is AMIDA BUDDHISM?

 

Pureland is a strand of practice that is found throughout the Buddhist tradition. Devotional in its nature, it is an expression of Buddhism which flows from the heart rather than the intellect, but nevertheless can be addressed with conceptual rigour as well as expressive freedom. When we reach beyond our small concerns towards the measureless, embodied in Pureland as Amida Buddha, joy and liberation follow. This release from egotistical anxiety is the base of all Buddhist practice and indeed most spiritual traditions, so we have little difficulty finding common ground with all who wish to find such qualities.  

Pureland was developed in India and expressed by teachers like Nargajuna and Vasubandhu and manifested in Amitabha practices of Tibetan Buddhism and in the devotional practices of the Chinese traditions. Calling the Buddha’s name is the central practice of Pureland Buddhists in the Chinese Buddhist world. This takes the form of nembutsu, which we express through the phrase “Namo Amida Bu”.

In Japan the Pureland  practice developed into distinct schools and became particularly important. Twelfth century teachers like Honen and Shinran were great reformers and took nembutsu practice to ordinary people who had previously been cut off from Buddhist traditions which centred on monasteries and the aristocracy.

In Tariki Trust we continue the tradition of spiritual inspiration, simplicity of practice and egalitarian organisation which inspired early Pureland groups in Japan but we are also open to Buddhists of other traditions and those who express their spirituality in many different ways. Our practice varies depending on who is joining us, but is generally simple 

To read more about Amida Buddhism you can also read Caroline Brazier's book The Other Buddhism which was published by O-Books in 2007

 

Pureland is a strand of practice that is found throughout the Buddhist tradition. Devotional in its nature, it is an expression of Buddhism which flows from the heart rather than the intellect, but nevertheless can be addressed with conceptual rigour as well as expressive freedom. When we reach beyond our small concerns towards the measureless, embodied in Pureland as Amida Buddha, joy and liberation follow. This release from egotistical anxiety is the base of all Buddhist practice and indeed most spiritual traditions, so we have little difficulty finding common ground with all who wish to find such qualities.  

Pureland was developed in India and expressed by teachers like Nargajuna and Vasubandhu and manifested in Amitabha practices of Tibetan Buddhism and in the devotional practices of the Chinese traditions. Calling the Buddha’s name is the central practice of Pureland Buddhists in the Chinese Buddhist world. This takes the form of nembutsu, which we express through the phrase “Namo Amida Bu”.

In Japan the Pureland  practice developed into distinct schools and became particularly important. Twelfth century teachers like Honen and Shinran were great reformers and took nembutsu practice to ordinary people who had previously been cut off from Buddhist traditions which centred on monasteries and the aristocracy.

In Tariki Trust we continue the tradition of spiritual inspiration, simplicity of practice and egalitarian organisation which inspired early Pureland groups in Japan but we are also open to Buddhists of other traditions and those who express their spirituality in many different ways. Our practice varies depending on who is joining us, but is generally simple 

To read more about Amida Buddhism you can also read Caroline Brazier's book The Other Buddhism which was published by O-Books in 2007