Buddhism as an Education

The path to Enlightenment



Namo Amitabha
[Amida] Buddha, in the causal stage, made the universal Vow: When beings hear my Name and think on me, I will come to welcome each of them, Not discriminating at all between the poor and the rich and wellborn, Not discriminating between the inferior and the highly gifted; Not choosing the learned and those upholding pure precepts, Nor rejecting those who break precepts and whose evil karma is profound. When beings just turn about at heart and often say the nembutsu('nien-fo' in Chinese, 'buddha-anusmriti' in Sanskrit and 'nembutsu' in Japanese, consists in repeating the six-character formula: na-mo-o-mi-t'o-fo in Chinese or namu amida butsu in Japanese.), It is as if bits of rubble were turned into gold.



Pure Land

Buddhist Scriptures


This Buddhist Faith Fellowship web site provides the basic Pure Land Buddhist scriptures and other important sacred texts for beginning or advanced practicers. The Larger and Smaller Sutra & the Contemplation Sutra were written over 2000 years ago. For the 21st century Western reader, they may appear at first to be written in a fantastic language that makes the entire Pure Land teaching diffiicult and incredible to believe. However, these text were written in a literary style that the people of the Sub-Indian continent could understand as appreciate. In other words, the language and symbols are of another culture and time. Therefore, these Three Sutras are NOT TO BE READ LITERALLY but are to be read in a metaphoric or symbolic way. Remember that all Buddhist texts begin with "Thus have I heard" which means that the texts are just a skilful means that point to the truth and are not the truth themselves. Do not get distracted by the fantastic scenes but concentrate on the meaning behind the circumstances.
 
The other text is a 13th century Janpanese commentary that was written in a more direct and simple way. It is classic text and a must to read. We hope you enjoy these sutras and text and may they deepen your faith and practice.
Life’s most awesome event is death, and death comes to all without regard to wealth, beauty, intelligence or fame. Death is inevitable, but how you die—terrified and confused, or with confidence and spiritual mastery—is within your control.