A m i t u o f o

Pure Land Chants – Part 1

Pure Land is a form of Mahayana Buddhism.

While widely practiced in Asia, its roots are only

starting to form in the West.

Its historical roots extend

all the way to ancient India.

We generally think in terms of one Buddha,

who lived in India approximately

twenty-five hundred years ago.

S h a k y a m u n i ,

But since any sentient beings can become enlightened,

and innumerable numbers have,

there are innumerable Buddhas.

Shakyamuni Buddha explained after his enlightenment,

that he had not only seen his past lifetimes but that

he had also seen how the future would unfold.

In that future, he saw that people in our time

would have more afflictions,

worries,

and wandering thoughts.

Shakyamuni knew that to end one’s problems

and attain lasting happiness, many people

would need the help of

A m i t a b h a B u d d h a

for he had created an ideal environment

in which we could

learn from

and

practice with

the wisest of beings.

It is a land of

peace, equality, and joy

where we can listen

to the teachings of

Bodhisattvas and Amitabha Buddha.

Knowing how appropriate this land would be for us,

Shakyamuni taught about theP u r e La n d practice.

N a m o A m i t u o f o

Words: Amitabha Publications.

www.amtbweb.org