GOlNGHOM匹

TOT｝－l匹

PUR脰LAND

•20IoPureLandCollcgePressPublishcdz0Io

Somerightsrescrved.

Nopartofthisbookmaybealteredwithoutpermissionfromthepublisher.Reprintingisallowedfbrnon-profituse.Fortbelatestedition,contactpurelandpress@gmail.com·

TheAmitabhaSutraisfTomMind-sealoftheBuddhas、whichis

translatedbyj.CCleary•I9g6byRcv.LokToandLeeTsu-kuPublishedI9g7,Secondedition

SectionsTwoandThreearefTomI〃O〃eL旋r伽αP〃加Lα〃dBⅡM伽阪〃γ

byVenerablcW/ulingAmitabhaPublications,Chicago,6o刃z

•zoo7byAmitabhaPublicationsCoverimage•Shantiyana|Dreamstime’com

ISBN:078-0-98o7II4-2-4

I,I斗I〕I2 4了678

PoralistofPureLandcentersandAmitabhaBuddhistSocieties,

pleasevisitwww·purelandcollege·oIg.au

TheCorporationRepublicofHwaDzanSocicty2F.,No.刃〕-I,Scc.4.HsinYiRoad,Taipei,Taiwan

Tel:(886)-2-2754-7I78Fax:(886)-2-Z7,4-7262E-Mail:hwadzan@hwadzan·tw

﹣一

CoNTENTs

L

Pa「tOne

A〃﹞／fabba5α〃aRecitatioⅡI

OrderofPracticeSession]

PurityVerse7PraiseoftheLotusPoolAssembly8BuddhaSpeakstheAmitabhaSutra9PraisctoAmitabhaBuddhaz4

W/ishfbrRebirthintothePureLand25

RepentanceVerse26PourGreatVowsz7DedicationofMeritz8

ThrecRefUgesz9

Pa「tTwo

Pu『elahdP『incipIesandP『actice

PureLandBuddhism],

Chanting4ICultivation43TheFiveGuidelines6]CareofDharmaMaterials8o

VisitingaBuddhistCenter8I

Pa「tTh「ee

DeathaⅧdDγing8,

GuidelincsfbrSpiritualAdvisorsLivingW/ill94

IResolveI•z

87

]]

PartOne

AmitabhaSutra

Rccitation

」

ORDERoFPRAcTIcESEssIoN

ThefollowingpracticesessionisbasedontheAmitabhaSutrarecitationsessionthatispracticedinmanyAmitabhaBuddhistSocieties.

Tbbeginthesession)eitherholdthisbookuporplaceitonatableandholdyourhandsintheb6Zα嗯positionHandsarethusheldfbrtheremainderofthe

sessionexceptwhereindicatedduringthed加／加肋α

Sα”bv（八﹚fbrhezangand（-）fbrhandsatwaist

levelNoVbowonce,dothreeprostrat1ons’andbowonemoretimeIfyouareunabletodoprostrat1ons,youcandoallbows.

YbumavnowlightsomeincenseifvouwishUPonlightingtheincense)fanitgentlywithvourhand(donotblowonit)toputoutthefIamcandallowtheincensetoburndownslowlγRaisethcincenseand

holditclosetoyourfbreheadwiththeincensepointedtowardstheBuddha.Then,placetheincenseintheholder.

Next,changethewaterinthewatercontaine正Pour

thewater1ntoanothercontainerfbrotheruses,like

drinkingorwateringplants.Donotdrinkoutofthewaterconta1neritselfPourfreshwaterintothe

containerandreturntothegongzhuαSavthePurity

引

」

V℃rscwhileholdmgtheconta1nerinbothhandswitb

vourthumbsandfirstandsecondfingers.After

completingtheverse,raisethecontainertoyourfbrehead,say‘Amituofb’’tent1mesandthenplacetheconta1nerbackonthegongzhuoinfrontofthe1ncenseholder.

Next’readthePraiseofthcLotusPooI

AsseInbly.Aftercompletingthepra1se,begintorec1tetheAmitabhaSutraDonotanalVzcthe

wordsOurgoalhere1stofbcussingle-mindedlyonrecitingthetext.AsGreatMastcrYinguangsaid’“Withouttry1ngtofindthemean1ngofthesutra,>ustreciteitinonestrctchfrombeginmngtoend”Thepurposeoftherecitation1stoclcarthemindofallwanderingthoughts,discriminations,andattachmentssothatwemaVattaInpur1tyofmindI/henourmindsbecomemorepure’ourunderstandingwiInaturallvbecomemoreprofbund

Afterthesutra,wereadthePraisctoAInitabha

Budd1mtopayourrespcctstoAmitabhaBuddhafbrhiscompass1onatevowstohelpallbeingsAfterthepraisc,wechant‘‘AmituOfb’,fbraprcdcterminedlengthoftimcV〈尼thenvowtoattainrebirthintheⅨ℃stemPureLandbyreadingtheWishfbrRcbirthintothcPureI俄㎡d

Next,wesaytheRcpentance﹨℃rsetocxpressour

斗

deepregretfbrhavingharmedinnumerablcbeingsthroughoutallourlifbtimesW℃thenreadtheIbur

Great\bwstotransfbrmourrepentanceintovowsto

helpallbeingsendtheirsu碓ring.AftCrthat,wereadtheDedicationofMeritto

passonthegoodnessthathasrcsultedfromour

chantingtohelpallbeingsendsuffbringandatta1nlastinghappiness.Tbconcludethesess1on’wereadthe

ThreGRc拉gcS‧

ThesessionmaybedoneindividuallyorinagroupIfinagroup,thebellmasterbeginsthepra1se,sutra,andsoon’bysayingthefhsttwowords.Othersthen>oinin.Readthrougbffombeginningtoend,butdonotreadthepageheadings.

『

」

PuRITYVERsE

Maythetranquilit)<puritXandimpartiality

symbolizedbvthiswaterbeattainedby㎡

allbeings.

MaytheylearnoftheW℃sternPureLand,

vowtoberebornthere,andachievethat

rebirthtofbreverleavesuffCringbehindand

attainlastinghappiness.

7

」

PRAIsEoFTHELoTusPooLAssEMBLY

Amidstthesea-vastlotuspoolassemblX

mavAmitabhaBuddhatogetherwith

AvalokitesvaraandMahasthamaprapta,

sittingonthelotusplatfbrms,leadbeingsto

ascendthegoldenstairwayThesesageshave

thegreatvowstohelpallbeingsleavethcmundaneworld.

Homagetothesea一vast】otuspoolassemblyof

BodhisattvasandGreatBodhisattvas.(#<imc5)

8

BuDDHASPEAKsTHEAMITABHASuTRA

（八）Homagetothcsea﹣vastlotuspool

assemblyofBuddhasandBodhisattvas.(]timcs)

BclM!aste『:BuddhaSpeaks

Everyon筐:TheAmitabhaSutra

ThushaveIheard:OnceBuddhawasinthe

landofShravasti)inthegardenofJetaand

Anathapindika.Hewasaccompaniedbytwelvehundredandfiftygreatbhikshus,allof

themgreatArhats,wellknowntoeveryone.Amongthemwerehisleadingdisciples,such

figuresastheEldersShariputra,Mahamaudgalyayana,Mahakasyapa,Mahakatyayana,andMahakausthila’Revata,

Suddhipanthaka’Nanda,Ananda,Rahula,

Gavampati,Pindola-bharadvaia’Kalodayin,Mahakapphina’Vakula,andAniruddha…{and

otherssuchasthese},allgreatdisciples.AlsopresentweretheBodhisattvas-Mahasattvas:

q

Maniushri’PrinceoftheDharma;the

BodhisattvaAiita’theInvincible;the

BodhisattvasGandhahastinandNityodyukta,

andothersuchgreatBodhisattvas.Also

presentwasShakra’thekingofthegods)

alongwithcountlessnumbersofheavenlybeings,makingupagreatassembly(-)

AtthattimeBuddhasaidtotheElder

Shariputra:‘‘WCstofhere,pastahundredbillionBuddha-lands,thereexistsaworld

calledUltimateBliss.Inthislandthereisa

BuddhacalledAmitabha,whoisteachingthe

Dharmarightnow

{Shariputra’>whyisthislandcalledUltimateBliss?Itiscalled‘(UltimateBliss,,becausethe

sentientbeingsinthislandarefreefromthe

myriadsuff℃ringscommontomankind,and

onlyknoweverykindofioy

Furthermore{Shariputra>,thislandiscalled‘‘UltimateBliss,,becauseitissurroundedby

I•

sevenringsofrailings,sevenlayersofnetting,andsevenrowsoftrees,allmadeofthefbur

preciousiewels.

Moreover{Shariputra},theLandofUltimate

Blisshaspondsofseveniewelsfilledwiththewatersofeightvirtues.Thebottomofeachof

thepondsispuregoldensand,andthe

steppedwalkwaysthatleadup仕omallfbur

sidesofeachofthepondsaremadeofgold,silver,lapislazuli,andcrystal·Abovethepondstherearetowerswhichareadorned

withsilverandgoldandlapislazuliandcrystalandmotherofpearl)redagateandcarnelians.

InthepondstherearelotusHowersasbigascartwheels:blueonesshiningwithbluelight,vellowonesshiningwithyellowlight,redones

shiningwithrcdlight’andwhiteonesshiningwithwhitelight,eachemittingasubtlepurefragrance.

{Shariputra,}theLandofUltimateBlissis

II

completewithalltheseadornmentsandvirtues.

Andthereismorc{Shariputra}-celestial

musicisconstantlyplayinginthisBuddha-

land,andthegroundismadeofpuregold.Heavenlvflowersraindownatallhoursofthe

￠

dayandnight.Inthemorningthesentient

beingsofthislandfilltheirrobeswithmultitudesofwondrousHowersandmake

offCringstohundredsofbillionsofBuddhasinotherworlds.W/henitismealtime,theyreturntotheirownland…toeat,and{to}

circumambulatetheteachingassembly

{Shariputra}theLandofUltimateBlissis

completewithalltheseadornmentsandvirtues.

Andthereismorestill{Shariputra}-inthislandtherearebirdsofallsortsofwondrous

variegatedcolors:whitecranes,peacocks,orioles)egrets,kalavinkasandiivaniivas.AllthesebirdsbringfbrthharmonioussongsdayandniRht.TheirsonHscommunicatesuch

勺～

I

BuddhistteachingsastheFiveRoots,theFive

Powers,theSevenFactorsofEnlightenment,

theEightfbldPath,aswellasotherteachings.

VVhensentientbeingsinthislandhearthe

singingofthebirds,theybecomemindfhloftheBuddha,mindfi1loftheDharma,mindfhl

oftheSangha.

|Shariputra,!donotthinkthatthesebirdswerebornasbirdsduetokarmicretribution

fbrpastmisdeeds.W/hynot?InthisBuddha-land,theThreeEvil…lPaths}ofExistencedo

notex1st·

{Shariputra,}inthisBuddha-landeventhenamesoftheEvil…lPaths>ofExistencedonot

ex1st,muchlesstherealities.Allthesebirds

arethecreationsofAmitabhaBuddha,

fashionedinordertosingthesoundsoftheDharma.

{Shariputra,}inthisBuddha-landthereisasliRhtbreezethatstirstherowsofieweltrecs

﹃﹃囫

I

•

andiewelnetting’sothattheyemitsubtlewondroussounds,likehundredsand

thousandsofmelodiesplayingallatonce.All

thosewhohearthesesoundsspontaneouslybecomemindfUloftheBuddha,mindfhlof

theDharma,andmindfhloftheSangha.

{Shariputra,ltheLandofUltimateBlissiscompletewithalltheseadornmentsandvirtues.

Ⅸ『hatdovouthink﹛Shariputra﹜:whyisthisBuddhacalledAmitabha?

{Shariputra’}thelightofthisBuddhaisinfinite,andshinesonalllandsthroughouttheuniversewithoutobstruction.Thusthis

BuddhaiscalledAmitabha.Also{Shariputra>,theli允-spanofthisBuddhaandhispeopleis

aninfinitenumberofimmeasurableeons,and

soheiscalledAmitabha.

{Shariputra,>AmitabhaBuddhaattainedenlightenmentteneonsago.

I4

Moreover{Shariputra>,thisBuddhahasinnumerabledisciples)allofwhomareArhats,whosenumbersareincalculable.Amitabha

alsohasafollowingofinnumerableBodhisattvas.

{Shariputra’}theLandofUltimateBlissiscompletewithalltheseadornmentsandvirtues.

{MoreoverShariputra,}noneofthesentientbeingswhoarebornintheLandofUltimateBlisseverfallbackintoalowerrealm.Manv

引

amongthemhaveonlyonemoreli比timeto

gobeforeBuddhahood.Theirnumberis

incalculable:theycanbespokenofasinnumerable.

{Shariputra’}whensentientbcingsheartheseteachings,theymusttakeavowtobebornin

thislandWhyso?SothattheycanbetogetherwithalltheseBeingsofSuperiorGoodness.

<Shariputra,}onecannotbeborninthisland

I5

\

throughminorgoodroots…goodfbrtune』

andcausalconnections.Shariputra,}iftherearegoodmenorgoodwomenwhohearofAmitabhaBuddha,andrecitehisname

singlemindedlyandwithoutconfhsion,fbr

onedavortwodaysorthreedavsorfburdavs

orf]vedaysorsixdaysorsevendays,then

whenthesepeopleareabouttodie,Amitabha

Buddhaandhiswholeassemblywillappear

befbrethem.I/hentheyareabouttodie,

theirmindsbeingunifiedandnotchaotictheywillattainrebirthinAmitabha,sLandof

UltimateBliss.

{Shariputra,}Ihaveseenthisbenefit,andsoIspeakthesewords.Ifsentientbeingshear

whatIsa)(theymustmakeavowtobeborninthatland

{Shariputra,}rightnowIamextollingthebenefitsoftheinconceivablevirtuesof

AmitabhaBuddha.(/\)Intheeastern

I0

directiontherearealsocountlessother

Buddhas,likeAkshobhyaBuddha,theBuddhaMarksofthePolarMountain’theBuddha

GreatPolarMountain,theBuddhaLightofthePolarMountain’andtheBuddha

Wbndrous\/bice.Eachofthem…{teachesin

hisownlandwiththetruthfUlnessofa

Buddha}andcoversawholecosmos,speaking

thesesincerewords:‘‘allofyousentientbeings

shouldbelievethissutraextollinginconceivablevirtues,whichallBuddhas

protectandkeepinmind,,

{Shariputra,}intheworldsofthesoutherndirectiontherearecountlessotherBuddhas,

liketheBuddhaLampoftheSunandMoon,

thcBuddhaLightofRenown,theBuddha

GreatBlazingShoulders,theBuddhaLampofthePolarMountain’andtheBuddhaInfinite

Vigor.Eachofthem…<teachesinhisown

landwiththetruthfUlnessofaBuddha}and

﹃∕

I

coversawholecosmos,speakingthesesincere

words:‘‘allofyousentientbeingsshould

believethissutraextollinginconceivable

virtues,whichallBuddhasprotectandkeepinmind.,,

{Shariputra,}intheworldsofthewesterndirectiontherearecountlessotherBuddhas,

liketheBuddhaInfiniteLif℃,theBuddha

InnumerableCharacteristics,theBuddha

InnumerableBanners,theBuddhaGreat

Light,theBuddhaGreatIllumination,the

BuddhaJewelAppearance’andtheBuddha

LightofPurityEachofthem…{teachesinhisownlandwiththetruthfUlnessofa

Buddha}andcoversaWholecosmos,speaking

thesesincerewords:‘‘allofvousentientbeings

shouldbelievethissutraextollinginconceivablevirtues,whichallBuddhas

protectandkeepinmind.,,

{Shariputra,}intheworldsofthenorthern

I8

directiontherearecountlessotherBuddhas,

liketheBuddhaBlazingShoulders,the

BuddhaSupreme\/bice,theBuddhaHardto

Iniure’theBuddhaBornoftheSun’andthe

BuddhaNettedLight.Eachofthem…{teachesinhisownlandwiththetruthfUlness

ofaBuddha}andcoversawholecosmos,

speakingthesesincerewords:‘‘allofyou

sentientbeingsshouldbelievethissutra

extollinginconceivablevirtues,whichall

Buddhasprotectandkeepinmind.,)

{Shariputra,>intheworldsofthenadirtherearecountlessothcrBuddhas,liketheBuddha

Lion,theBuddhaRepute’theBuddhaLight,{theBuddhaDharma,}theBuddhaDharma

Banner,andtheBuddhaUpholdingtheDharma.Eachofthem…{teachesinhisown

landwiththetruthfhlnessofaBuddha}and

coversawholecosmos’speakingthesesincere

words:‘‘allofyousentientbeingsshould

I0

believethissutraextoIngmconceivablevirtues,

whichallBuddhasprotectandkCepmmind.,,

{Shariputra,}intheworldsofthezeniththerearecountlessotherBuddhas,liketheBuddha

PureVbice,theBuddhaSoiournerKing’the

BuddhaIncenseFragrance,theBuddha

FragrantLight,theBuddhaGreatBlazing

Shoulders,theBuddhaBodyofMulticolored

JewelFlowerGarlands,theBuddhaSalaHee

King,theBuddhaPreciousFlowerVirtue,theBuddhaSeesAllIfuths,andtheBuddhaLike

thePolarMountain.Eachofthem…{teaches

inhisownlandwiththetruthfhlnessofa

Buddha}andcoversawholecosmos,speakingthesesincerewords:‘‘allofyousentientbeings

shouldbelicvethissutraextoInginconceivable

v1rtues,whichallBuddhasprotectandkeepinmind.,’（╴）

{Shariputra’}wbydoyouthinkthisiscalledthesutrathatisprotectedandkeptinmind

Z0

byalltheBuddhas?

<Shariputra’}iftherearegoodmenorwomen

whohearthis…{sutra},upholditandhearthe

namesofalltheseBuddhas,thesegoodmen

andwomenwillbeprotectedandkeptin

mindbyalltheBuddhas,andwillnot

retrogressalongthepathofSupreme,Per企ct

Enlightenment.Therefbre{Shariputra,}allof

youshouldfaithfhllyacceptwhatIsayandwhatalltheBuddhashavesaid

{Shariputra’}allthosewhohavevowed’orare

vowing,orwillvowtobeborninthelandofAmitabhaBuddhareachthelevelwherethev

donotretrogressfromSupreme,Perfect

Enlightenment.Thevarealreadyborn,arenowbeingborn,orwillbcborninthatland

Therefbre,{Shariputra,>allgoodmenand

women,iftheyhavefaith,mustmakeavowtobeborninthatland

{Shariputra,}iustasIamnowextollinRthc

I7=

」

inconceivablevirtuesofalltheBuddhas,all

thoseBuddhasarelikewiseextollingmyinconceivablevirtues,withthesewords:(/\)

“SakyamuniBuddha(-)isabletocarrvoutamostdifficultandraretaskIntheSaha

Wbrld,theWbrldofEndurance,inanevil

worldoftheFiveCorruptions-the

corruptionoftheage,thecorruptionof

views,thecorruptionofaffIictions’the

corruptionofsentientbeings,andthe

corruptionoflife-heisabletoachieve

Supreme,Perf℃ctEnlightenment,andto

expoundthePureLandteaching,whichall

beingsinallworldsfindhardtobelieve.,,

{Shariputra,}knowthenthatinthcmidstof

thisevilworldoftheFiveCorruptions,Iam

abletocarryoutthisdiHiculttask,attain

Supreme,PerfectEnlightcnment’and

expoundthePureLandteaching,whichisso

hardfbrbeingsinallworldstobelieve.Thisis

ZZ

indeedmostdi伍cult!

W『henBuddhaHnished…﹛teachingthissutra﹜,

Shariputraandallthemonks,gods,humans,

asurasandotherswhohadbeenlistening’

havingheardwhattheBuddhasaid)reioicedandfaithfhllyacceptedit.Theyallbowedinhomageanddeparted

AmitabhaSutraspokenbyBuddha

UProotallKarmicHindrancesfbrRebirthintothePureLandDharani

NAMOAHMEEDOHPOHYEH

DOHTOHCHAYDOHYEH

DOHDEEYEHTOH

AHMEELEEDOHPOHPEE

AHMEELEEDOHSHEEDANPOHPEE

AHMEELEEDOHPEECHIALA占NGDEE

AHMEELEEDOHPEECHIALANGDOH

CHAYMEENEECHAYCHAYNAH

CHIHDOHCHIA『爪硯SOPOHHO

(Dhararli#timeS)

﹃1〃

勺＝

PRAIsEToAMITABHABuDDHA

AmitabhaBuddha,allingoldencoloB

withfbrm,fbaturesandradianceuneqUalled,

whitecurlswindinglikcthefiveSumeru

Mountams,andpurpleeyesasclear

asthefburg7eatseas.InhisauraaretransfbrmedBuddhasin

countlessmillions,andtransfbrmed

Bodhisattvas,also,inlimitlessnumber;

fbrty-eightvowshemadetoenlightensentient

beingsandtoenableallninegndestoreachtheothershore.

HomagetothemostcompassionateoneoftheW℃sternParadise,AmitaBuddha.

Amituofb(chantastimcaIows)

24

W/IsHFoRREBIRTHINTHEPuRELAND

Ⅸ℃wishtobebornintheⅨ℃sternPureI刮nd

withlotusblossoms,innineorders’asparents.

VVhenthelotusblossomsfl1I%wcshallseethe

Buddhaandbeenlightenedwiththeabsolute

truth’withnevefretrog字essiveBodhisattvasas

compan1ons.

Z『

REpENTANcEVERsE

Allevilactionscommittedbymesincetimeimmemorial,

stemmingfiomgreed,angeI}andignorance,arisingfrombod)(spcech’andmind’

Ideeplyrepenthavingcommitted.

Z0

FouRGREATVow「s

Sentientbeingsareinnumerable;

IvowtohelpthemallAfflictionsareinexhaustible;

Ivowtoendthemall

Ihystopracticeareboundless;Ivowtomasterthemall

Enlightenmentisunsurpassable;Ivowtoattainit.

Z7

L

DEDIcATIoNoITMERIT

MavthemeritsandvirtuesaccruedfiDmthis

practiceadomtheBuddha,sPureLand,

repaytheIburKindsofKindnessabove,

andrelievethesuffbringofthoseintheThreePathsbelow

Mayallthosewhoseeandhearofthis

bringfbrththeheartofunderstandingand

compassion,andattheendofthisli允beborn

togetherinthelandofUltimateBliss.

28

THREEREFUGES

TbtheBuddhaIreturnandrel%returning

fromdelusionsandrelyinguponawarenessand

understanding.(Oneprostration)

TbtheDharmaIreturnandrelXreturning

fromerroneousviewsandrelyinguponproper

viewsandunderstanding.(Oneprostration)

TbtheSanghaIreturnandrelXreturning

frompollutionanddisharmon}<andrelying

uponpurityofmindandtheSixHarmonies.(rhrceprostratlonsan(loncb0w)

Zg

TbrmsUsed

bow:abowfi·oInthewa1stwithhandsinhezanghezang:handstogetherandheldinfrontofchestatlevclof

one,sheart

gongzhuo:atableuponwhicbweplaceBuddhaimage,conta1nerofwateI]1ncense,f>owers,etc.

prostrat1on:afl1llbowtothefloor

Acknowledgements

W℃wishtoexpressourappreciationtoJCClearvandalsototheSutraTfanslationComm1tteeoftheUmtedStatesand

Canada,fbrthistranslationofthed加如肋αS㎡湎‧Tbesutra

appearsinthesecondeditionofM〉’巾eα／q／叻eB〃‘鉍鯽,tbetranslationofMasterOuyi﹚scommentaryonthed”加肪αs〃〃涿‧

Forthesakeoflavoutandeascinsingle-mindedchantingwithoutdistract1ons,wehavetakenthelibertyofremov1ngthequotemarksaroundeachofthenamesoftheBuddhasofthesixdirectlons.

Ⅸ℃alsothanktheSutra尸IfanslationConⅡn1tteeofthe

UnitedStatesandCanadafbrtheirtranslationofthe‘‘Praise

toAmitabhaBuddha”and‘‘WishfbrRebirthintothePure

Land﹚,,bothofwhicharefromtheB〃【i扔㎡L㎡〃唔﹚／,SecondEdition,I09]·

]O

PartTWo

PurCLand

PrinciplesandPrac亡icc

PuRELANDBuDDHIsM

W/iththewisbtohelpaIbeings,mayallmythoughts,words,

andactionsbevoidofattachmentandego.Maytbeyarisefromcompassionandwisdom·Maytheybeimbuedwithpatienceandloy.

Once,theBuddhawasaskedifhewasagodTheBuddbarepliedthatno,bewasnotagodThenwasheanangel?No.Aspirit?No.Thenwbatwasbe?TbeBuddharepliedtbatbewasawakened.SincetheBuddha,byhisownassertion,isnotagod,wedonotworsbipbim·W/erespectandaregratefUltohimfbrteacbingusmanydiffbrentmetbodstohelpusfindthewaytobeliberatedfTomthecycleofbirth,death’andrebirth,andlikehim’tobecomeperf℃ctlyenlightened

OneoftbemetbodstheBuddhataughtisPureLandBuddbism.TboughstillinitsfbrmativeyearsintheW/est,PureLandBuddhismiswidelypracticedinAsiaanditsrootsextendallthewaytoancientIndia.

Ⅸ「egeneraⅡythinkintermsofonlyoneBuddha:

]5

Sakyamuni,Wholivedaboutz5ooyearsago.But,sinceanysentientbeingcanawakenandinnumerablenumbershave,thereare1nnumerableBuddhas.

SalWamuniBuddba,afterhisenlightenment’eXplainedthathesawnotonlyhispastlifbtimesbutalsobowtbefUturewouldunfbld·

SakyamunisawpeopleinourtimehavingmoreafHictions,worries,andwanderingthougbts.Ourdeep-seatedbadhabitshavingbecomeevenmoreentrenchedoverthousandsoflifbtimeswouldmake

liberatingourselvessolelybyourowneffbrtsalmostimpossible.Heknewtbattoendone,sproblemsandattainlastinghappinessmanypeoplewouldneedtbehelpofanotherBuddha:Amitabha,theBuddhaofInfiniteLightandInfiniteLifb·

AlmostalloftheteachingsbySakyamuniweretheresultofhisbeingaskedaquestion.Inadeparturefromthenorm,andknowingWhenthetimewasright,SakyamuniinitiatedtheteachingthatintroducedAmitabhaandhispurelandThisspontaneousteachingbySakyamuniiswbatmakesthisteachingsospecial.

Inthisteaching’SakyamunirecountedbowtbebodhisattvaDharmakara,afterwitnessingtbe

]6

suffbringofsentientbeings,spcntf]veeons(anincrediblylongperiodoftime)studyingalltheBuddhalands.DharmalKarathenmadefbrty-eightvows,thefUlfiImentofwhichwouldcreatetheW/esternPure

LandofUltimateBliss.Hedeclaredthathewouldnot

attainBuddhaboodunlesshisvowsfbraperfbctpureland,whereaIbeingswouldadvancealongtheBuddhistpatbandneveragainfallbackintosamsara,wereaccomplisbedOncethesevowswereaccomplished,DbarmakaraBodhisatIabecame

AmitabhaBuddba·HeisnowspeakingtheDharmainhispurelandandhelpingallWhoaretrulysincereintheirvowstobereborntbere.

VVitbhelpfromAmitabha,wedonothavetorelysolelyonourselvestoattainenlightenmentaswewouldwitbothermetbods.InPureLandBuddbism,

werelyonthecompassionateBuddhasandbodhisattvastobelpus.Thus,relianceonselfandonanotherarecombinedaswerequestbywayofourmindfUlcbantingthatAmitabhaBuddha,tbroughthestrengthofhisvows,belpustobereborninhisPureLandaswebreatheourlastbreathinour

presentbody.Amitabbaalsovowedthatonceweattainthis

]7

rebirth,wewiIalwaysprogressinourpracticeandlearning.W/ewiIbeabletocontinueourpracticeinlIisPureLand,or,wbenwechoose,returntothis

andotherworldstohelpothers,withoutbeingaffbctedbyunfavorableenvironmentsorourfbrmerbadhabits·Ifwewisb,wewiIbeabletodotbis

befbreweattainsupremeenligbtenment.DuetoAmitabbaBuddha,smeritsandvirtues,

andthegoodnessofallthebeingsthere,bisPureLandhasinnumerablewondersandadvantages,allofWhicbarisefTomthegreatvows,deeds,andpurityofalltbebeingsthere·Throughhisvows,Amitabhahelpsallbeingscreatetbecausestoplanttherootsofgoodness·W/ithbisdeeds,hecreatestbeconditionsfbrbeingstoaccumulatemerits.I/ithbispurity,hehascreatedaperfbctland--onethatisfreefromanger,andintolerance.Itisalandofpeace,serenity,andeqUality.Incomparison,ourworldisoneofdelusionandsuffbring,fIIedwithworry

Forcountlesspeople,PureLandpracticeisthemostsuitablefbrseveralreasons.First’itisrelatively

easytopracticeinalmostanyenvironment:alone,withotherpractitioners,orevenamidthel1ustleandbustleofeveIydaylifb’Second,therearenodifBcult

]8

entry﹂levelcriteria‧Evenifone,sabilitiesand

knowledgearemodest’withbelief;vows,andpractice,wewiIberebornintbePureLand·

Beliefmeansthatweneedtobelieveintbe

Buddhasandtheirteachings,andincausality.I/eneedtobelieveinourselvesandthatwehavethe

sametruenatureastbeBuddha.W/eneedtobelieve

tbatbylivingamorallif℃andbeingmindfUlofAmitabhaBuddhawewillbebornintotheW/estern

PureLandandbecomeaBuddbainonelif℃time.

Andthird,duetothevowsofAmitabba,

achievementtbrougbthismethodcanbeattainedmorequicklyandmoreeasilytbanwithotherpractices·VVecanunderstandthisbetterthrougbananalogy·W/ecometoariverthatwewishtocross.﹃Ⅸ∕ecanswimacrossbutourbaggageisveryheavyand

tbewateristreacherouslydeepAlternatively’wecangetonaboatthatwill

quicklyandsafdytakeus’andourbaggage,totbeothershore.Symbolically,the‘‘othershore,,istbeachievementofenlightenment.Thebaggagewecarryisourdeep-seatedbadhabitsandnegativekarmasaccumulatedoveruncountablelif℃times,and

theboatisAmitabhaBuddhaIscompassionatewill.

]9

Thetickettoboardtbeboatisbelie丘thesincere

vowtobereborninthePureLand,andpractice,whichincludesleadingamorallif℃andmindfUlly

chanting‘‘Amituofb·,,

4O

CHANTING

TbesimplestwaytopracticePureLandisbychanting‘‘Amituofb,,,whichisAmitabhaBuddbamCbineseJt

doesnotmatterWhetherwecbantinChineseoranyotherlanguageaslongaswedoitproperly.Wγbenwechant,thesoundof‘‘Amituofb,,arisesinourminds·

Andasweutter“Amituofb,,,ourmindsconcentrateon

andembracetbatsound.I/bilechanting,dososincerelyandcontinuously.

Asonekeepschantingandtbemindfbcusesontbesoundof‘‘Amituofb,,,erranttbougbtsarereplacedwithpuretboughts·Inthisway,wealsocreatelessnegativekarma.AfterAmitabhaBuddhahasbeeninourmindcontinuouslyfbralongtime,ourtruenature-ourBuddha-nature-willgraduallybeuncovered

Itissimilartoacbildremembcringadearlylovedone:amotber,fatber)orsomeoneelse.Thedearlylovedoneisalwayswitbhim,alwaysinhisbeart.Likewise)heisalwaysinthedearlylovedonelsheart╴andneverfbIgotten‧Inasimilarway,

Amitabbaisalwaysthinkingofus,waitingfbrustoreacbouttobimsothathemayrespondtous.

4I

AmitabhaBuddhaistbewiseandcompassionateteacherwhounderstandseverything,andwhoisalwaysthinlKingofus,lif℃timeafterlifbtimeafter

lifbtime.W/earetbestudentswboaretrymgtolearnandtopracticeJustasagoodteacberlistenstothecallsfbrhelpfromastudentlookingfbrtherightanswers,ifwehaveunwaveringbeliefWowtobereborninthePureLand’andsincerelypractice’AmitabhawiIrespond.AIwehavetodoischanthisnamemindfully.

I/henwechanttothepointofsingle-mindednesswithtbesolethougbtof“Amituofb’’’wesuccessfUllyfbrmaconnectionwithhim-infact,webecomeonewitbbim.InthatinstantweareintbePureLand╴╴

fartothewestanddeepwithinus.Aswebreatheourlastbreathinthisworld,ifwecanfbrmthis

connection,fbrmthisonenesswith‘‘Amituofb,,,wewillattainournextrebirtbintheW/esternPureLand

andleavesuffbringbehindAndoncethere,wewillhavealltbetimeweneedtocontinueourpracticeandlearning,fbrwewillbeinthecompanyofAmitabhaBuddhaandallthebodhisattvas.TheywiⅡ

helpuslearnallthewaystowiselyandcompassionatelyhelpotberbeings.

4Z

CuLTIvATIoN

Ourpracticeofchanting‘‘Amituofb,,canbedoneanyWhereanytime·Butifwewisbtohaveaspecialplacefbrpracticeinourhome,wefirstneedtodecideWberewewouldlikeittobe.Aseparateroomisideal,butwhenthisisnotpossibleaqUietandcomfbrtablespotwilldoiustaswell.Itisalsoadvisabletochooseasettimeintbeday,perbapsearlyinthemorningwhenthemindisstillrelativelycalmoratnightasyouarewindingdownfromalongdayandwisbtoletgoofanythingtbatistroublingyou.

Ⅸ∕hensettingupyourgD〃gz加0（thetablewhere

youplacetheBuddhaimage,incense,andotberpracticeaids)’placeonlyobiectsthatrelatetoyourpracticeonit’noteverydayobiects.ApartfromcreatingarespectfUlatmosphere,thiswillbebenefIcialtoyourconcentration.Youcanuseabookshelfifspaceislimited;however,itisbesttonotplaceob}ectsothertbanDharmamaterialsor

boolKsabovethissbelfJfthegongzbuoneedstobeplacedinyourbedroom,donotplaceitatthefbotbutrathertothesideofthebed

4]

AsimplearrangementwouldbetoplaceastatueorpictureofAmitabhaBuddhaaloneoraccompaniedbytwobodbisattvasontbegongzhuowithacleancontainerofwaterinfrontofAmitabha.

LookingattheimageofAmitabba,youwouldplaceAvalokitesvaraBodbisatIaontherightsideandMahasthamapraptaBodhisatIaontheleftside.IfyouhavediHicultyinobtaininganimage,youcancontactoneofthesocietieslistedatthebackoftbis

booktorequestapicture.Ifitisnotpossibletoobtainastatueorotherimages,youmaysimplywrite‘‘AmitabhaBuddha,,onapieceofpaperandplaceitbehindtbecontainerofwater’

Ifyouareinasituationwhereeventhisisnotpossible,iustfbcusquietlyonyourpractice.MotIationiswhatisimportant.Asincerewishtocbant,toimproveonesel丘andtobelpothers’isthe

mostimportantrequirementfbrpractice.

SymbolismandUse

TheimageoftheBuddhasymbolizesourtruenature,thesamenatureastbatofallBuddbas.Theimagesofthcbodhisattvassymbolizeunderstandingand

牛4

practice.Mal1asthamaprapta,alsoknownasGreatPowerArrivedBodhisattva,symbolizeswisdomandAvalokitesvara,alsoknownasGreatCompassionBodhisattva,symbolizescompassion..Wisdomandcompassionarecomplementaryandneedtobeusedtogether·

Ifusingastatueyoucanplaceitonastandorboxtoelevateitabovetheotherobiects.ThestatueandbodbisatIaimagesareplacedatthebackofthegongzhuotofbrmthefbcalpoint.

W/aterrepresentspurityandstillness.Ourmindsneedtobeaspureandcalmaswateraswellasvoidofgreed,anger,andignorance.Thiswillenableustointeractwithothersandsituationswithasereneand

nondiscriminatorymind,whichviewingeverythingimpartially,reflectseveIythingclearlybutnon-iudgmentally’likeamirror.

I/hensettingupyourgongzhuo,useanewcuporglassfbrthewater.Trytouseaclearglasscontainer,asseeingthewaterwiIremindyouofwhatitsymbolizes.Placethecontainerinthecenterofthegongzhuoandchangetbewaterregularly.Tbetraditionaltimetocbangetbewaterisinthemoming.Ifthisdoesnotfitintoyourmorning

45

routine,youcaninsteadchangethewaterWhenyoudoyourdailychanting

Incensesymbolizesselfdisciplineandtrainingwhicbwillawakenourwisdomandcompassion·W/henlit,tbeincenseistransfbrmedfrom

sometbinghardandunyieldingintothefragranceoftbeDbarma,thetruthtbatteachesushowtoend

su仳ringandtbusfindlastinghappiness.Placetheincenseholderinfrontoftbewater·

Flowersrepresentcausality.Oureverythought,word,anddeedarecausesthatwillbearresults.Ifwe

wishtohavegoodresultswemustfirstplanttheseedtocreatethecause·Also,flowerscanserveto

remindusofimpermanencefbrasbeautifUlasHowersare,tbeirbeautyisshort-lived.Nothinglastsfbrever.Everythingisimpermanent·

FlowersmaybeplacedatthefbotoftheBuddbaimageortotheside·Apottedplantorsilkflowerscanbeusedinsteadofcutflowers.Changetbem

wbentbeyarenolongersuitablefbrthegongzhuo·Candlessymbolizewisdomandbrigbtness

iIuminatingtbedarknessofignorance’iustasasinglelitcandlecaniIuminatearoomthatbasbeendarkfbr

thousandsofyears·Thecandlealsorepresentstheact

46

ofgivingasitgivesofitselfsothatotbersmaysee.Acandlemaybeplacedoneachsideofthe

gongzhuoarrangement.Forsafbty,youmayuselampsinsteadofcandles‧Also,therearesmaⅡ

battery-operatedcandlesthatserveasasafb,yetfitting,alternat1vetocandles.

PormsofPractice

Tobeginourpractice,weputourhandstogether,palmtopalminfrontofourheart·Fingersarealsoplacedtogetberwithoutanyspacebetweenthem.Eyesarefbcusedonthetipsoftbemiddlefingers.Elbowsareslightlyben仁Thebeadistiltedslightly

down.Thismovementisusedtoexpressrespectandiscalledbe2α叫inChinese‧BesidesbeingUsedto

symbolizethemindwitlIoutwanderingthoughts,itisalsousedtoexpresstheonenessofthetruenature.

ItistraditionaltobeginpracticewithasimpleceremonythatincludesbowingtotbeBuddha.Bowing,alsocalledprostrating,isourwayofshowingrespectandcanservetopurifythethreekarmasofbody’speech’andmindwhenitiscombinedwithchanting.Sincethispracticecanbe

47

difHcultphysicallyfbrpeoplewhoareunaccustomedtotbemovements,itisacceptabletodoastandinghalfbowinsteadofafUIbowtothefloor.

VVhenreadytobeginapracticesession,doahalfbow,threefi1llbows,andahalfbow.BotbfbrmswiⅡ

beexplainedindetailinfbIowingsections.I/itbthisbowing,wepayrespecttotheBuddhaandmentallypreparetobeginourcbanting.Havingdonetbis,wemaynextligbtanincensestickifconditionsallow,andthentakeupourposition·

Sitting

Assumeacomfbrtablepositiononameditationcushionorstool,oronacbair.Useacusbion,eitber

onthef>oororyourcbair,thatisslantedsothebackisslightlyhigherthantbefrontofthecushionThiswillinclineyourpelvisfbrwardandprovidebettersupport.W/bensittingonthefloorwithacushion,youmaydosoinafl1llorpartiallotusposition,oryoumaycrossyourlegs.IfthispositionispainfUl,itmaybemorecomfbrtabletouseameditationstoolorbighercushion.Sittingonthestoolandplacingone,slegsunderitinasimulatedkneelingpositionis

48

tbeusualposition.Ifsittingonacbair,placebothfbetflatontheflooraboutafbotapart.

Tositinalotusposition,sitontbecusbionandplacethetopofyourleftfbotonyourrightthighNext,placeyourrightfbotonyourlefttbightofbrmastableseat.Thebackandshouldersshouldbeerect

butrelaxedIftbisistoodifHcult,asitisfbrmany

people,trythehalflotusposition,inwhichyouraiseonlyonefbotontoathigh’andresttheotberundertheoppositethighOrsitcross-legged·Pleaserememberthatitisnotnecessarytofbrceyourselftositinanunfamiliarpositionthatistoophysicallydemanding.

TrytodeterminewhetheryourdiscomfbrtissimplytheresultofsittingstiIinadiffbrentpositionfromwhatyouareusedto,orduetotakingupapositionthatisiusttoodifHcultorpainfUl.Itismoreimportanttofbcusonsubduingourpointless,wanderingthoughtsthanonsubduingbodiesthatarenotusedtosittinginunfamiliarways.

Holdyourhandsonyourlapwiththebackoftherighthandrestingonthepalmofthelefthand,andwiththumbtipsslightlyraisedandlightlytouching.Eyesmaybelightlyclosedorslightlyopen.Ifyou

49

fCeldrowsyWhenyoureyesareclosed,opentbemslightly.Postureisveryimportant,sosituprightcomfbrtablywitboutslumpingorleaningfbrwardHoldtheheadataslightdownwardtiltwiththechinpullediniustalittle.Inthisposition,beginchanting“Amituofb’,aloudorsilently.

Breatheinthroughtbenose,pullingtheairdownintothedeepestpartoftbelungswhiledistendingtbediapbragmandthenslowlybreatheouttbroughthenose.BreatbingshouldbenaturalTrytouseyourdiapbragmtopuItheairdeeperintoyourlungsinsteadofbreathingshallowbInsilentchanting,thetipoftbetonguelightlytouchesthebackoftbeupperteeth,andteetbandlipsareheldasusualShouldersarelevelandelbowsareheldslightlyawayfromyoursides·

IfyouarenotyetaccustomedtosuchpracticeandeXperiencediscomfbrtsuchaslegcramps’slowlymoveyourlegsintoapositioninwhichyouaremorecomfbrtable·ItisbesttolKeepinitialsessionssbort:tentofifteenminutes.Sessionsmaybegraduallylengthenedasyoubecomemoreusedtothepractice·ItisbettertodoashortperiodofchantingthannotdoitatallYoumayusewalkingorbowingtocalm

5O

bothmindandbodybefbreyoubeginyoursitting.Continueyourchantingasyouvarythephysicalfbrmsofpractice.

W/alking

VVecanpracticewalkingindoorsoroutdoors.ThispracticeisexcellentfbrmindfUlnessaswellasfbrcalmingdownbothmindandbody.W『eareusually

sowrappedupinrusbingfromoneplacetoanotberthatbefbrewecansitquietlyweneedtogentlyslowourselvesdown.Thus,itisoftenhelpfUltobeginalongerchantingsessionwithwalkingbecausetbishelpstomakethetransitionfromhurriedeverydayact1v1t1estoourpract1ce.

Unlikeourusualwalkingasameanstogetfromoneplacetoanother,oftenqUicklyandwithoutanyrealsenseofWhereweare,ourpracticeofwalkingWhilechantingisslowanddeliberate.W/hilewedonotbecomeabsorbedinoursurroundings,wedoremainawareofwbereweareandwhatishappeningaroundus.Ideally,weremainalertbutarenotdistractedbyactivitiesaroundus.

Ifyourareafbrwalkingislargeenough,youcan

夕I

walkinacircle.W『hilewalkingslowly,beawareof

liftingandplacingyourfbetuponthefloorortheearthInsteadoftheusuallmrriedimpactontbesurfacewearewalkingon’tbefbotshouldgentlytouchitKeepbodymovementssmoothandlithe,aswithtaichimovements.Duringthispractice,handsareheldatslightlylowerthanwaistlevelinfrontofus,withthebackoftberighthandrestingontbepalmoftheleftandwithourthumbtipslightlytouching.W/alkcloclKwise,asthishasbeentbecustomsincethetimeoftheBuddha.

Therearetwobasicfbrmsofourwalking.Inthefasterfbrm,liftyourrightfbotoffthefloor,orground,andmoveitfbrwardandplaceitonthefloorasyouchant‘‘A),(pronouncedas“ah”).ThenrepeatthemovementwitbyourleftfbotasyouclIant‘‘mi,,(pronouncedas‘‘me”).Stepagainonyourrightfbotasyouchant‘‘tuo,,(pronouncedas‘‘tuaw,,)andthenontheleftfboton“f○”﹙pronouncedas‘‘fa﹨爪／,﹚.Inthe

slowermethod,steponyourrightfbotasyoucbant(‘A,,andslowlyshiftyourweightfromyourheeltoyourtoesasyouchant(‘mi.,,Thensteponyourleftfboton“tuo,,andslowlyshiftyourweightfromyourheeltoyourtoesasyouchant‘‘fb·,,

52

Inbothfbrms,allmovementsshouldbe

deliberateandcarefi1lWγhileweusuallysteponthe

rightfbotfirst,peopleatotbercentersmigbtstepontheleft,soifyouattenddi仳rentcentersyouwill

needtoseehowtheydotheirwalkingmeditation.Duringthewalking,ourchantingmaybedone

aloudorsilentlytoourse】ves.W『hetheraloudor

silent,listentoandfbcusonthesoundofyour

chanting.W/alkingmaybeusedtobreakuplongerperiodsofsittingorastlIesolefbrmofpractice.Duringretreatsorregularchantingsessions,somecentersusewalkingmeditationmoreoftensinceiteffCctivelycountersthedrowsincssandstiffilessthatcanarisefromprolongedperiodsofsitting·

Prostrating

W/ebownottoworshipbuttopayourrespectstotheBuddhafbrteachingus,torecognizetheBuddha-naturetbatisinhimandinallbeings,andtopracticehumilitybytoucbingthefloorwithourhead

Ifwearefbcusedandsincereinwhatweare

doing’wewiIbecleansingthcthreekarmasofbody’

,]

speech,andmind.Forexample,aswebow,ourbodywillbemovingaswechant,andwitheacl1bow,wewillpuri0someofournegativekarmawehadcreatedthrougbourfbrmeractions·Aswethink“Amituofb’”wewillpurif)/someofourevilkarmacreatedbyourpasttboughts.Aswechant“Amituofb’﹚﹚wewiⅡpuri吋someofourpastbarmfUl

speechInourchanting,wepronounceeachsyllableclearlyanddistinctlysotbatwehearthechantwbetheritisvoicedorsilent.RegardlessofWhetherwechantwhenwalking,sitting,orbowing,ourfbcusingontbeBuddl1a,snamewilldecreaseoureverydayworries.Eventually’tbeywiIbeeliminated

Tobeginbowing,standwithyourfbetpointingsligbtlyoulwardina‘‘V’’andyourheelsaf℃wincbes

apart.Placeyourhandsinthehezangposition,lookdownatthetipsofyourmiddlefingers,andsligl1tlytiltyourheaddown.Keepingyourneckstraight,slowlybendfbrwarduntilyouhavebentoveralmostfbrtydegrees·Then,bendatthekneesand,wbileboldingyourlefthandintbesamepositionatcbestlevel’moveyourrightbandtowardthefloorsothatitwiIsupportyouasyourbendingkneescompleteloweringyoutotheground.

54

W/henyourrighthandtouchesthegroundbringthelefthandtothegroundaswell,butaboutsixinchesaheadoftherigbt.Besuretoplacebothhandsonthefloorsotbeywillbeinfrontofyourheadwhenittouchestbef>oor.VViththissupportofbothhandsontheground,continuebendingyourkneestotbegrounduntilyourkneesareontbefloor.Yourrighthandsbouldbeiustinfrontandslightlyoutsidetheedgeoftherightknee,andthelefthandstillabeadoftberight·Fortbosewithproblemsinthewristorioints)orwhofCelunsteadyduetophysicalconditionsyoumayplacebothbandsdownatthesametimetofbrmabettersupport.

Next,flexyourf℃etsotbatthetopsofyourfbet

arerestingontheHoorandyourtoesarealmosttouchingeachother.Yourlowerlegsandf℃etwill

nowberestingontbefloorandyourbuttockswillberestingonyourlegs.

Moveyourrightbandtoapositionlevelwithyourleftandangleyourbandstowardseachothersoyourlowerarmsandbandsfbrmaninverted‘‘V,,without

thehandstouchingoneanotherandwitbyourpalmsdown.Continueloweringyourupperbodyuntilyourfbrebeadtoucbesthefloor.Atthispoint,slowlyand

55

supplelymakealoosefistwitheacbhandandthenturnyourhandsoversotheyarepalmsupwithfingersverygentlycurledPositionyourhandsasifo仳ringtoholdtbeBuddhawitbyourhands‧Tbisis

thefinalpositionintbefUllbow.Yourfbrehead,fbrearms,knees,lowerlegs,andfbetwillnowberestingonthefloor.KeepyourslightlycurvedbackparalleltotheHoor·Donotpushyourstomachdowntherebypullingthemiddleofyourbackbonedown;keepthebackgentlycurved

Toraiseyourself;repeatthebowinreverseorder.Slowlyturnthehandssotbeyarepalmsdown.Changetbepositionofyourfbetsoyourtoesareonthegroundandyourfbetarereadytosupportyouasyourise.ThenpuIyourrightbandtowardsyourbodyafbotorsoandthiswillhelptostraightenandraiseyourtrunkIfneeded,pullyourlefthandtowardsyourbodyuntilitismorelevelwithyourrightbandtbenusingbothhandspushyourselfup.Continuerisingandstraighteningupuntilyouareagainstandinguprigbtwithpalmstogetberatchestlevel.

Beginwithonlyafbwbows’bowingslowlyandgentlywhilebeingmindfl1lofyourmovements,and

,6

graduallyincreasethenumberyoudαIfpossible’do

thispracticewhileachantingmachineorCDisplaying.YoumayremaininthefUllbowpositionfbrseveralsecondsuntilyoubegintorise·

DedicationofMerits

Uponcompletionofourchanting,wefbrmallydedicateourmeritstobeingbornintothePureLandbyrecitingthefbIowing:

MaythemeritsandvirtuesaccruedfromtbispracticeadorntheBuddha,sPureLand,

repaytheFourKindsofKindnessabove,andrelievetbesuffbringsofthose

intheThreePathsbelow.

Maythosewhoseeandbearofthis,bringfbrthtbeheart

ofunderstandingandcompassionand,attheendoftbislifb,

beborntogetherintbeLandofUltimateBliss.

,7

TheFourKindsofKindnessaretheTbreeJewels

oftheBuddha,theDbarma,andtheSangha;parents;teachers;andallbeings·Attbeinitiallevelofunderstanding,the‘‘ThreePathsbelow,,arethoseofanimals,bungryghosts,andheIdweIers.Inthecycleofrebirth,thesethreearebelowtboseofhumans,

asuras,andheavenlybeingsButatahigherlevelofunderstanding,tbeThree

PathscanbeviewedastheRealmofDesire(our

world),theRealmofPorm(wherethelesserdeities

dwelD,andtheRealmofFormlessness(wberetbe

higherdeitiesdweI).Untilonetranscendsthecycleofrebirth,oneisstiIboundtorebirthwithinthe

hell,hungryghost,animal,human,asura,andheavenlypaths.Yes’evenfbrtboseinthebeavenlyrealms’whereex1stenceistrulywonderfUl,suclIex1stencewillonedayendandsu仳ringwillreturn.

Nianiu

Anothermethodfbrpracticeistouse〃zα叨〃,ormala·Tbesearewornaroundthewrist.Intbis

metbod,werecite‘‘Amituofb,,onceaswegentlymoveeacl1beadtowardsuswitbourtbumb.Aswe

58

practice,ourthoughtswiIinitiallybeonthebeads,butgraduallywewiIbeabletofbcusmorefirmlyonourchanting.TbismetlIodisparticularlyhelpfi1lduringthedaywhenwecanfindsometimetochant,especiallywhenwewishtoreturntotbesenseofserenitythatourchantingbrings,orwhenweencounterstressfUlsituations,andsoon.

Nian}ucomeinsinglewristlengthsofvaryingnumbersofbeadsoralongerlengthofIo8beads.Thislongernianiuwillusuallybavethreesmallerbeadsevenlyspacedalongthestring,andone“mother”beadThetbreesmaIerbeads’usuallyofa

diffbrentcolor,symbolizethefbIowing:theBuddha,wborepresentsawakening;theDbarma,whichrepresentsproperviewsandunderstanding;andtheSangha,Wbichrepresentsharmonyandpuri叮ofmind

Nianiubeadsareoftenmadefromtbeseeds’wood,orrootofaBodbitree,orfromotbernatural

materialslikegemstonesordiffbrenttypesofwood.Naturalmaterialslikewoodandseedsdarkenand

developabeautifUllusteraswepractice.IfthemotherbeadofyournianiuhasaBuddba

image,donotuseitfbryourcbanting·Stopatthe

59

beadbefbreitandreversedirectionsoyouaremovingintbeoppositedirection.InthePureLand

tradition’mostnianjudonotbaveaBuddhaimage,sowecontinueourchantingandpassthemotherbeadinthesamemannerastheotberbeads.

AudioAids

Manypractitionersliketouseachantingmachine,whichisasmallplasticboxthatcontainsacomputerchipThecbipcontinuouslyplayscbantingmusicandaIowsustoalwaysbavethechantingwithus.Althoughwemaynotconsciouslyfbcusonthesoundofthechanting,themachineservesasanexceIentaidtokeepthesoundatleastonalowerlevelofawareness’readytorisetoourconsciousnessWbeneverwcwish

CDsareaverygoodalternativeandtbecontentscanbetransfbrredeasilytoMP]players.CDsmayberequestedfromAmitabhaBuddhistsocietiesandPureLandLearningCenters.ChantMP3scanalsobedownloadedfromwww.amitabha-gaIery.oIg

6O

Ten-recitationMethod

Thissimple,convenient,andeffbctivewaytoprac-ticeBuddhanamechantingisespeciallysuitablef•rtbosewbofindthattheyhavelittletimefbrcultivation.ThechantingbelpsustobemindfUlofAmitabhaBuddbaItbringsusioy.

.Webeginwhenwewakeup.Situpstraightandclearlychant‘‘Amituofb,,tentimeswithacalmandfbcusedmind,aloudorsilently.Werepeatthiseightmoretimesthroughouttheday.Eachtimewechant‘‘Amituofb,,tentimes.Thiscbantingcanbedonebyfbllowingoneoftwoprograms.Pleasecboosetbeonethatistbemostsuitablefbryourcircumstances·

Oneprogramistocbantuponwakingup,befbreandafterbreakfast,bef•reworlK,befbreandafter

lunch,befbreandafterdinner,andbefbreretiring.

Theotherprogramistochantuponwakingup,befbrebreakfnst,befbreandafterourmorning,swork,befbrelunch,befbreandafterourafternoon,swork,befbredinner,andbefOreretiring.

Thekeyisregularity;disruptionofthispracticewillreduceitse仳ctiveness‧W∕henwerecite

consistentlywithoutinterruption’wewiIsoonfbel

6I

anincreaseinourwisdom,serenity,andpurityofmindDiligentpracticeofthismetbodtogetherwithunwaveringbeliefWows,andlivingamorallifbcanensurefUlfillmentofourwishtoreacbtheW/esternensurerulr

PureLand

62

THEFIvEGuIDELINEs

TheFiveGuidelinesfbrmthefbundationandarethe

wayweprogressinourpractice·Theyarefirst,tbeThreeConditions;second,theSixHarmonies;tbird,

theThreefbldLearning;fburtb,tbeSixParamitas;andfifth,theTenGreatVows.VVebeginourpracticewiththefirstguidelineoftheThreeConditionsandgraduallyprogressfromthere.

MasterChinKungextractedtheseguidelinesfromtbefivePureLandsutras,whichconsistof

threesutras,twochaptersfromsutras,andonetreatise.ThePureLandsutrasandtreatiseare:

LTlIeI〉!／﹜〉Z／加L旋M加Z2.Tbed〃Z／／∕W﹚αM力Ⅶ

J.Thevk『〃α肱α勿〃s〃rm

午.“SamantabhadraBodhisattvaisConductand

Vows,,fromtheduα加〃zJtz向αS〃力Ⅶ

,.‘‘ThePerf℃ct,CompleteRealizationof

MahastbamapraptaBodhisattva,,fromtheS伽m〃gZ加αS〃rm

6.TbeReb／γrZ﹚T〉℃α妨β

6]

TheThreeConditions

InthebeginningoftheV改『〃α肱α吻〃S〃Zm,QueenVaidehi,havingencounteredoverwhelmingfamilymisfbrtunesandhavingthustrulyexperiencedsuffbring’entreatedSakyamuniBuddha’‘‘Theworldisfilledwithsuffbring.Isn,tthereabetterplace,aworldwithoutevil?Iwishtoberebornthere.,,

Throughhistranscendentalpowers,tlIeBuddbacompassionatelydisplayedalltheBuddhaLandsinthetenquartersoftheuniversefbrbertoobserveandchoosefrom.

AsSakyamuniBuddhaexpected,shechoseAmitabhaBuddba,sW/esternPureLand,alsoknown

astheLandofUltimateBliss,andrequested

SakyamuniBuddhatoteachherhowtoattainrebirththere.

BefbretheBuddhastartedontherequired

practicesfbrrebirth,hetaugbthertopracticetbeThreeConditions,explainingthattheywere“thetruecausesofpureactivitiesofallBuddhasoftbethreetimeperiods.,,ThisimportantstatementteIsusthataIBuddhasofthethreetimeperiodsofthe

past,tbepresent,andthefUture,relyontheThree

64

Conditionsasthefbundationfbrtheircultivation

andattainmentofBuddbabood

TheFirstConditionis:

I.Befilialtoandcarefbrone,sparentsz.BerespectfUltoandserveteachers

].BecompassionateanddonotkiIanylivingbeings

午CultivatetheTenVirtuousKarmas‧

Pllysically,wearetorefrainfromkiIing,stealing’andsexualmisconduct.VerbaIy’wearetorefrainfromfalsespeech,harshspeech,divisivespeech,andenticingspeechMentaIy’wearetorefrainfromgivingrisetogreed,anger,andignorance·

TheSecondConditionis:

,.TaketheTbreeRefi1ges6.Abidebytheprecepts7.Behaveinadignified,appropriatemannerTheThirdConditionis:

8.GeneratetheBodbimind

9.BelievedeeplyincausalityIo.StudyandchanttheMahayanasutrasII.Encourageotherstoadvanceonthepathto

enlightenment

6,

TheSixHarmonies

TheSixHarmoniesareguidelinesthatwiIenableustogetalonginasangba,whicbistheBuddhistcommunityoffburormorepeople,monasticorlay,whopracticetheteachingstogetber·TheSixHarmoniesare:

I·Harmonyinhavingthesameviewpoints2.Harmonyinobservingthesameprecepts].Harmonyinlivingtogetber午Harmonyinspeakingwithoutconflict

,·HarmonyinexperiencingDharmabliss6.HarmonyinsharingbenefitsFirstisharmonyinhavingthesameviewpoints,

whicbmeansestablishingconsensusesinagroup·Tbegroupmembersmustupboldthesameprinciplesandmetbodsthattheyarestudyingandpracticingfbrharmoniousgroupcultivation·Ifwewantastablesociety,everyoneneedstogetalongwithoneanother.Onlyharmonycangraduallydrawtogetherandeventuallyminimizethediffbrencesinouropinions,ideas,andwaysoflifeThenequalitycanbeacbieved,andfinally,happiness.

66

Secondisharmonyinobservingthesameprecepts·W/henweliveandpracticetogether,weneedtohaverules,orelsetberewiIbedisorder.Therulesinclude

thepreceptssetbytheBuddha,wbichvarydependingonWhetheritisalayoramonasticsangha·Theflmdamentalpreceptsaretbefivepreceptsfbralaysangha,andtbemonkornunpreceptsfbramonasticsangha.InadditiontotheBuddhistprecepts,lawsandlocalcustomsarealsotobeobserved

Tbirdisbarmonyinlivingtogetherasagroup.Tbepurposeofestablisbingacultivationcenteristobelpeveryparticipantinthegroupsucceedintheirpractice·Livingtogetberinagroup,practitionerscansupporteachother·

Pourthisbarmonyinspeakingwithoutconflict.Byreducing’andideallyeliminating,disputes’peoplewillbebetterabletofbcusontheircultivation·

Peoplewbotalktoomuchoftencreateproblemsfbrthemselves.Misunderstandingscanariseastbelistenertakestobeartacarelessremarkoftbe

speaker.Tbus’acarelessspeakerunknowinglyincursmanyenmities,whichgiverisetofUtureretaliation.ThisiswhyitisbesttoiiTalkless;chantthe

67

Buddha,snamemore.IIThelesswespeak,thef℃wer

problemswewillhavcItisbesttbatwespeakonlywhennecessary.

FifthisharmonyinexperiencingDharmabliss.W/henwelearnandpracticeaDharmaDoor,thebasicachievementthatweshouldattainishappiness·Ifwefbelunhappyinourpractice,tbenwehaveencounteredaseriousproblem.ThisproblemliesnotintbeBuddha,steachings,butintbewaywepractice·W/emayeitherhavedonesometbingthatgoesagainsttheprinciplesoftheteachingsorappliedtheprinciplesincorrectly.Otherwise’theresultswouldgraduallybecomeapparentaswelessenoursuffbring.Ⅸ『itheachpassingday’wewouldenjoygreaterhappinessandfiseedom.Thisshowsthatweareprogressinginourpractice·Ifwearenotachievingthis,weneedtoreflect,findourmistakes,

andthencorrecttbem.W/ecanthenthustrulybenefitfromourpractice.

Sixtbisharmonyinsharingbenefits.Inthesangl1a’eveIythingissharedfairlyandWheneverpossible’eqUaIyIntbisway’eveIyone,sbasicneedswillbemet.SpecialneedsarealsotobeconsideredUnderstandingthateveIytbinginthesangbaisanoffbring,notbing

68

shouldbewastedThiswillinsurethatfUtureneeds

willalsobemet.

TheTbreefbldLearning

TbethirdoftheFiveGuidelinesistbeThreefbld

Learning.Tocounteracttheproblemsofthepeopleinourworldandage,theBuddhataught:

I.Moralselfdisciplinez.Meditativeconcentration

3.InnatewisdomMoraldisciplinecounteractsourhabitsfbr

wrongdoing.Meditativeconcentrationcounteractstbetendencyofourmindstowanderandhavescatteredthoug1ts.W『isdomcounteractslgnorance﹚ourwrong

vIewsandknowledge,andourlackofcorrectknowledgcVVebeginwithmoralselfdiscipline,withtraining·

Onabasiclevel,weabstainfromkiIing;from

stealing;fromsexual,orsensual,misconduct;fromlying;andfromtbetakingofintoxicants.Onabroaderbasis,webehaveinamoralandethicalwayin

everythingwedo.Bynotkilling,wewillreverealllifb,andhave

compassionandrespectfbrallsentientbeings.Byour

69

veIyex1stence,wearetakinglives.Aswewa>k,westeponinsects.Toproducetbefbodweeatandthewater

wedrink’mIonsofotberanimalandmicrobiologicallivesaredestroyed.VVecannotstopeatingordrmkingwater,butwecanmakecertamwedonotwaste

anytbing.Understandingourimpactonothers,wecanusewbatweneed,butnomorethantbat.

NotkiIingalsohasamoresubtleaspect:W/eshouldnotkiItheseedsofgoodnessinothersorharmanotberemotionally.W/hileourthougbtsandactionscanbedamagingtoothers,itisourspeecbthatalltooeasilycommitsthisoff℃nse‧Ourcareless,sarcastic,orangrywordscandeeplywoundachild,alovedone,afriend.W尼needtouseourspeechwiselyandspeakfromtbebeartthatwishestohelpothers.

Bynotstealing,wewillrespecttbeproper•ofothersandnottakeoruseanythingwithoutpermissionoftheowner·Thisseemssimpleenough,butthistrainingalsomeansthatwedonottakethatbookwhicbislyingunclaimedinarestaurant.NeitherdowekeeptheextradollarthattheclerkmistakenlygavetousnordowetakethingsfromwhereweworlKfbrpersonaluse.

7o

Bynotcommittingsexual,orsensual,misconduct,wedonotindulgeinsensualpleasures,understand-ingthattodosonotonlyincreasesourattacbmentsandcravings,butoursuffbringaswell.

Bynotlying)wespeaktruthflllly’understandingthepowerthatourwordscanbave.W/echooseourwordswiselyrealizingthatgreatharmcanresultfromill-considered,untrutbfUlspeech

Bynottakingintoxicants,wedonottakesubstancestbataffbctourabilitytotbinkandbehaveclearlyatalltimes,andthatharmourbodies.Remainingclear-headedhelpsustonotharmothersorourselves.

Nextismeditativeconcentration.Inmeditative

concentration,wefbcusourattentiononwbateverwe

choose.Tberearenodistractionsorworries,no

doubtsordrowsiness,nodiscriminationsorattach-

ments:W/eremainunaffCctedbyourenvironmentandmaintainacalm,undisturbedmindInitially’thisstatewiIbringioyandasenseofease.Eventually,itwillenableustoseethingsastheytrulyare.

Ineverydaylifb,wecanconcentrateonwhateverwearedoing·W/ewillbeawareofwhatisbappeningaroundusbutwewillnotbedistractedordisturbed

7I

byit.Indailylifb,wecanpracticemeditativeconcentrationineverythingwedo:whetherweareworking’wateringthegarden,ordrivingourcar·W/ecboosetheobiectoractivityofourattentionandthenremainfbcusedonit.

I/ealsostrivetoattammeditativeconcentration

inourBuddhistpractice.Thepracticeofconcentratingon‘‘Amituofb,,willhelpustobecomeonewitbperfbctcompassion,perf℃cthappiness,and

perfbctpeace·Nolongerwillwefbelthatweneedtoattainperf℃ctiononourownaswerealizethatwe

arealreadyonewithtbatwhichisper化ct.Thirdisintuitivewisdom.Intuitivewisdomisnot

aninteIectualpursuitnorisitameasureofacademicintelligence·Itisknowingandunderstanding,anditarisesfromwithinuswhenourmindsareclearand

calm·

TheSixParamitas

TointeractsuccessfUllywithothers’theBuddhataughtustbeSixParamitas,orPerfbctions.TbefburtboftheFiveGuidelines,theparamitasaretbepracticesofbodbisattvas·TheSixParamitasare:

72

I.Givingz.Preceptobservation].Patience

午Diligence

夕.Meditativeconcentration6.W/isdom

Thefirstparamitaisgiving·Givingcountersgreed,andensuresthatinthefUturewewillhaveampleresourcestocontinuehelpingotbers·Theunderlyingmeaningofgivingislettinggo.

TberearetbreemaiorkindsofgivingTbefirstistbegivingofwealth,beitmaterialresourcesorourtimeandenergy.W/henourgivingbecomesincreasinglyunconditional)wewillbegintofbelmoreliberatedspiritually.Themoreweglveaway)thefbwerpossessionswebavetoworryabout、Soon

wewillrealizethatweneedverylittletobetrulycontent.

Secondisthegivingofteaching·Byteachingotbers,wearehelpingthemtolearnhowtorelymoreonthemse>ves.W/egivematerialresourcestotrytosolveimmediateneeds.But,ifwewanttosolveneedsthataremorefar-reacbing,weteachItisnotnecessarytohaveexceptionalslKills·Simply

7]

teachwhateverwearegoodatandwhatothersarenot.ThehighestfbrmofteachingistheDharma,whicbcanhelppeoplefindlastinghappinessandliberation.

Andtbirdistbegivingoff℃arlessness.Itisto

removetheinsecurities,worries,andfbarsofothers,whetherthe‘‘other,,ishumanornon-human.This

givingcanbethesharingofakindword,thegivingofourstrengthandstability,orourunderstanding.W/henwerelievetheworriesandfbarsofothers,and

helpthemtofbelmoresecure,theywillbeabletofindpeaceandselfrespect.

Tbesecondparamitaismoraldiscipline,Whichcountersworriesandunhappiness,andenablesustocontinueonourwaytoawakening·Inamoreliteralsense,itmeansabidingbytbeprecepts.Inabroadersense,tbesecondperfbctionmeansethicalbehavior,aswefbllowtbecustomsandlawsofwhereverwe

arc.Initially’aswebeginourpracticeofdiscipline’wecanfbcusonrefrainingfromharmingothers.Gradually’webegintodevelopandincreaseourvirtue.Theultimatefbrmofthispracticeistobenefitothers·

74

Tbetl1irdparamitaispatience,wl1ichcountersangerandhatred,andhelpsustoavoidaIgumentsandtoachieveourgoals·W/eneedpatienceinalmosteverythingwedo.Ifweareinschool)weneedpatiencetopersevereinourstudy.Atwork,patiencehelpsustoproperlyaccomplishourtasksAthome)patienceisthefbundationfbrinteractingweIwithfamilymembers·

Patienceenablesustogetalongmoreharmoniouslywiththosearoundus.Forourselves,patienceallowsustorecogn1zeourbadbabitsandtoimproveourselvesbychangingthosehabits.

Thefburthparamitaisdiligence,orenthusiasticeffbrt.Itisthejoytbatwebringtoourpracticeandtoallthatisworthwhileinourlives.Itisthetrue

delightthatarisesfromdeepwitbinuswhenwearedoingwhatisWbolesome.ItenablesustokeepgoingwhenwefbeltiredoroverwhelmedItisrefieshingandinspiring·Cultivatingenthusiasticeffbrtcounterslaziness’andbringsioytoourlivesaswefbelasenseofaccomplishmentinfinishingwl1atwehavestarted

Thefifthperf℃ctionismeditativeconcentration.

Ourpracticeandtrainingindisciplineandnot

7,

harmingotherswillreduceandgraduallyeliminateourharmfUlverbalandphysicalbehaviors.OurmindswiIbecomecalmerandlessagitatedI/henourmindsarethussettled,wewiIbebetterabletoconcentrate·

OurconcentrationwilliⅢti刨b「reduceand,then,

graduallyeliminateourdisturbingthoughtsandemotionalbehavior.I/ewillthenga1nmeditativeconcentration,wlIicbwIenableustouncoverour

1nnatewisdomJ}]us’discipline’meditativeconcentIation’andwisdomworktOgetheI}andarecomplementary

Thesixthparamitaiswisdom.W/isdomcountersignorance,andenablesustoknowhowbesttobelpotbersandtoimproveourselves,includingourabilitytogetalongweIwithothers·Thiswisdomisnotthatwhichisgainedthrougbintensestudyandanalysisofmanydiversesub}ects.ThatwouldbeseekingwisdomfiDmexternalsources·Itisourinnate,all-knowingwisdom·

Ifwebegintopracticetheses1xperfbctionsineveniustsomesmallmeasureeveryday)startingwitbtoday’gradually,wewillbegintolookintherigbtdirection,andgraduallywewillawakentotheper比ctgoodness,perf℃ctcontentment,andperfbct

76

ioythatarealreadywithinourtruenature,ourBuddba-nature.

TheTenGreatVows

OnlywhenweapplytheThreeConditions’theSixHarmonies,tbeThreefbldLearning,andtheSixParamitasinourdailylivesarewetrulylearningBuddhism,emulatingbodhisattvas,andbeginningtoresembleabodhisattva.BodhisatIascannotattain

BuddhahoodonlybypracticingtheSixParamitas.TheyalsopracticeBuddha-namechanting·

InthepracticeofBuddha-namecbanting,wecanachieveeitherConstantMindfUlnessofAmitabha

BuddhaorOneMindUndisturbedinMindfUlness,butwecannotachieveOneMindUndisturbedin

Enlightenment.Inotberwords,wehavetomovebeyondthefbundationoftheSixParamitasandprogresstothenextlevelofpractice:theTenGreatVowsofSamantabhadrataughtintheduα加加J娥αM加Z.

ThisDharmadoorleadstoattainmentofOne

MindUndisturbedinEnlightenmentandattainmentofBuddbaboodItispracticedbyDbarmaBody

77

Mahasattvas·ThesearegreatBodhisattvaswhohaverealizedtheDbarmaBody;inotherwords’theyhavefreedthemselvesfTomdelusion.Therefbre,itisthe

laststepofourcultivationandcannotbereachedbyskippingtheprevioussteps.VenerableMasterChinKungbassaidthatifwedonotsucceedinourpracticeoftbeSixParamitas,wearenotevenclose

topracticingtheTenGreatVows.Thedistinctivefbatureofthepracticeof

Samantabhadraistbatthisbodhisattvahasamindas

broadastheuniverse.Asaresult,eachofhisten

vowsisultimateandperfbctinitselfTbeTenGreatVowsofSamantabhadraare:

I·TorespectallBuddhasz.TopraiseTathagata(oneofthetennamesfbr

Buddha)

3.Tomakeoffbringsextensively午Torepentkarmicobstacles

,.Toreioiceatother,smeritoriousdeeds6·ToreqUesttheturningoftbeDharmaWheel7·ToreqUesttbeBuddhatoremainintbisworld8·ToconstantlyfbllowtheBuddha,steachings9.ToaccommodateallsentientbeingsIo.TodedicateallmeritsuniversaIy

78

Inconclusion,ourlearningoftbePureLandteachingsisbasedonthef}vePureLandsutrasandonetreatise.

OurPureLandpracticeisbasedontheFiveGuidelines:theThreeConditions,theSixHarmon1es,the

ThreefbldLearning,theSixParamitas,andtheTenGreatVowsofSamantabhadra·

Theseguidelinesareverysimple,veryclear,andnotatallcomplicatedIfwefbllowtbeseguidelinesinourlearningandpracticefbrtherestofourlives,wewilldefinitelysucceedAsanancientsageoncesaid,‘‘Iftenthousandpractice,tentbousandwiⅡ

attainrebirth,,I/ehavetbeprinciplesandtbepracticemetbods·

Howdoweinteractwithpeopleandengageintasksindailylifb?IfwefbllowthesefiveguidelineswewiInotgowrong·

Inaddition’ifwesingle-mindedlypracticeBuddha-namecbantingandseekrebirtbintheW/esternPureLand,allofuswiIsucceed

79

CAREoFDHARMAMATERIALs

、Wbetheroneisathomeortraveling,donotplaceDharmamaterialsontbefloorortheseatofachair.

Ifotherspaceistemporarilyunavailable’wemaycarefUllyplaceabookontbearmofasofaorchair.Pre比rably’bookssbouldbeclosedandplacedneatly

ontbehighershelvesofabookcase·W/henturningthepages,dosocarefUllyanddonotturndowntheedgeofthepagetomarkyourplace.Ifusingabookfbrstudy,wemaywriteinitifitisacommonlyprintedbookandhasnointrinsicvalue.

Thebooks,images,andotherDharmamaterialsarenottobetakenintobathrooms·Also,ifpossible,

pleasedonotplacetbemdirectlyonyourbedW「lIen

traveling,tbesebookscanbewrappedinacleanclothandplacedinyourluggage.Thebooksmayalsobeplacedonthecloththatisinturnplacedonabed·

W「henweareinthebathroomorarenotproperly

dressed’chantsilently’However,whencleaningordoingchores,wemaychantaloudSilentorvoicedchantingbringstbesameresult·

8o

VIsITINGABuDDHIsTCENTER

ThefbllowingaresomeguidelinesfbrvisitingaBuddhistcenter·Byadberingtotheseandobservinghowotbersbehave,youwillbecomfbrtablevisitinganycenter.Youcanalsoaskthepersoninchargeifyouareunsureofwbattodo·

I·RefrainfiDmanypracticesotherthantboseoftbecentre·

z.Avoidtalkingloudlyorunnecessarilysoasnottodisturbothers·

].DressinarespectfUlmanneranddonotwearshortskirtsorshorts,see-throughortightclothing·Discreet,loose-fittingclothingisappropr1ate.

4.DonotuseperfUmeandscentedlotions;refrainfromwearinganythingthatcouldmakenoise.

5.Greetotherswitbhezangandaslightbow·6.Removeyourshoesbefbreenteringtbe

cultivationhall.YouwiIusuallyleavetbemoninotherareas,likethedininghall.Itispolitetowearsocks.Alsotrytoremoveyourshoes

8I

inaplacewhereyouwillnotsteponthegroundpriortoenteringthehall.

7.PlaceyourbandsinthehezangpositionandbowtotheBuddhaafteryoustepintothecultivationhall.Iftheroomisnotcurrentlybeingused,youmaymovetoacusbionanddoabalfbow,threefUIbows,andahalfbow.

8.Inmanycentersitiscustomaryfbrmentositontherightsideandwomentositontheleft·IfyouareunsureiftbiscustomisfbIowedatthecenteryouarevisiting’youmightaskabeadoftime·IfthatisnotpossiblefbIowtl1isarrangementtobesafC

9.W/henmovingaroundthecultivationbaI,trytoavoidcrossinginfrontoftbosewhoarechantingorprostrating·

Io·Peoplecometotbecentretopracticeandtolearn.Aquietenvironmentisnecessaryfbrbothpursuits.Inordernottodisturbothers,pleaserefrainfromallunnecessarytalking.Iftalkingisnecessary’dosoqUietly.Pleaserespectotbers,wishesiftheyindicatetheydonotwanttotalk

8Z

II.I/benyougreet,orwnenyougreet,orwr1teto,amonast1c,1t1s

politetousethebonorificofVenerablebefbre

themonastic,sname·Ifyoudonotknowtheirname’youmaysimplyaddressthemasVenerable·IfyouwouldliketousetheChinese,ShifUisChinesefbrteacberandcanalsobeused

8]

PartThree

Dea亡handDymg

GuIDELINEsFoRSPIRITuALADvIsoRs

I.Remindthepatientofthesuffbringofthisworldandthe>oysofthePureLandtohelpstrengthenhisorhervowtoberebomintothere.Thespiritualadvisorshouldalsoenumerateandpraisethepatient,sgooddeeds,merits,andvirtues.Thiswillhelpthepatienttobehappyandfreeofdoubts,certainthatwhenthetimecomestodie,heorshe

wiI,thankstobisorbergooddeeds,vows,andpractice,berebornintotheW/esternPureLandofUltimateBliss.

zltisimportanttoremindthedyingpersonceasethinkingofwealtbandproperty,aswellattachmentstofamilyandfriends·

仍醞

].IfthepatienthaswrittenawiI,verygood,butifnotitisbesttocounselagainstwritingoneatthistime.Theadvisorcanalsoadviseeveryonetorefrainfromgossipanddistractingconversationsastheycouldrekindlethepatient’sattachmenttotbisworld,Whichisdetrimentaltothepatient,sdesiredrebirth

87

斗.W／henrelativesandfriendscometovisit,they

sbouldbediscouragedfrombecomingemotionalinthepatient,spresence.Iftheywishtohelp,theycanstandtotlIesideandcbant‘‘Amituofb,,aloud

ExplaintothevisitorstbatcryingatthistimecoulddistractthepatientfiomtbedesiredrebirthinthePureLand’andresultintbepatientbeingsubiectedtomuchsuffbring.

5·Thepatientshouldbecounseledtopractice

generosityandgiveawaypersonaleffbctstothosewhoneedtbem·Also,thepatientcanpurchaseBuddbaimages,sutras,andotherBuddlIistmaterials,andrequestthattbeyalsobegivenaway‧ThiswiⅡ

belpthepatienttoincreasehisorhermeritsandreducebadkarmas,andthushelptofacilitateagoodrebirth

Thegoodadvisorshouldkeepthesegeneralguidelinesinmind,butbereadytoimproviseaccordingtothesituation.

88

SupportiveBuddha-nameCbanting

SupportivechantingbyfamilymembersandDbarma仕iendsiscrucialwhenapatientisontheveIgeofdeathbecause,atthattime,heorsheisweakbotb

mentallyandphysically.Insuchtryingcircum-stances,itbecomesincreasinglydifHculttofbcusonchanting‘‘Amituofb.,,ThisisWhysupport1veBuddha-namechantingissoimportant·

LTobelpfbcusthepatient,sthougbts,respectfUIyplaceastatueorpictureoftbestandingAmitabhaBuddhainfrontofthepatientwbereitcanbeeasilyseen.Placeacontainerofcleanwaterinfrontofthis

imageandsomefresbflowersinavasenearit·Lightlyscentedincense’orevenasmokelessvariety,maybeburned(AstrongfragranceorexcessivesmokemightcausetbepatienttohavedifHcultyinbreatbing.)

2.Thosewhocometopracticesupportivechantingshouldrememberthatthepatient,whoisinaweakenedstate,requiresadequatefreshair.Iftoomanypeopleareintheroomatonetime,thepatient

89

mayhavedifHcultybreathingandbecomeagitated,resultinginmorebarmthangoodAlso,peopleshouldpre-arrangetheirchantingtimeandsilentlytaketurns,sotbatthechantingcancontinueuninterruptedEacbsessioncanlastaboutanhour.

].AccordingtoMasterYinguang,thethirteenthpatriarchoftbePureLandschool,theshort

chantingfbrmof‘‘Amituofb,,shouldbeused,sothatthepatientcaneasilyregisterthisnameinthemostsubtleconsciousness,atatimewhenbothmindand

bodyareveryweakItwouldbewisetoaskthepatientwhichoneis

prefbrred-‘‘Amituofb,,or‘‘NamoAmituofb.,,Inthis

way,thepatientcancomfbrtablyandsilentlychantalongwiththegroup.Togocountertothepatient,slikesandbabitsmaydestroyhisorherconcentration.Peopleshouldnotchanttooloudlysoasnottoexpendtoomuchenergyandsbortenthe

timetheycanchant·Ontheotherhand,theysbouldnotchantintoolowavoiceorthesoundmightnotregisterinthepatient,smind.Also,theyshouldnotspeaktooneanotherwhileintheroom.

Chantingsbouldneitherbeoverlyloudorsoft’

9O

tooslowortoofast·Eacbutteranceshouldbeclear

anddistinct’sothatitcanbebeardclearlyandpenetratedeepintothepatient,sconsciousness.Onecaveat:ifthepatientistooweakorisincoma,hemaybavedifHcultyhearingthecbanting.Insuchacase,someonesbouldchantclosetothepatient,seartobelpthepatienttomaintainaclcar,steadymind

牛Ⅸ／ithregardtoinstruments’itisgenerallybetter

tousethesmallhandbeIwithitsclear,limpidsound,asitcanhelpthepatientdevelopapureandcalmmindHowever)thismaynotapplyinallcases.Ifpossible,itisbesttoaskthepatientinadvancewhatisprefbrredIfsomedetailsdonotsuitthepatient,weshouldadapttotbecircumstancesandbeflexible·

AfterthePatientDies

I.Relativessbouldnotcryinthepresenceoftbepatient’especiallyimmediatelybefbreandaftertbedeathDoingsocancausethedyingpatienttodevelopthoughtsofattachmentwhichcanpreventthemuchsoughtrebirthandresultantliberation.

9I

z.Itisvitallyimportantnottotouchormovethebodyofthedeceasedperson.Thus,peopleshouldwaitatleasttwelvehours,andpref℃rablytwenty-

fbur’befbrewasbinganddressingtbebody.

].Familyandfriendsshouldconccntrateonchantinginallearnestnessandwithoutcryingfbratleasttwelvehours.Thisistoallowthepatient,smostsubtleconsciousnessadequatetimetoleavethebody.IMuringthisperiod’anyonetouchesthebodyorcries,thedeceasedmaystilleXperiencefbelingsofpain,sadness,anger,orselfpity,andsinkagainintotherealmsofsuffbring.

4.Duringtheminimumtwelve-bourperiod,(twenty-fburhoursisprefbrable),ifpeoplecanremainchantingnearthedeceased,somuchthebetter.Exceptfbrcbanting,nothingshouldbedone.

,.Funeralarrangementsshouldbesimpleandmodest,withoutunnecessaryexpenses.Onlyvegetarianfbodshouldbeprovidedfbrservingmeatorfishwillburdenthedepartedwithmorekarmicobstacles,makingliberationthatmucbmoredifHcult.Itis

9Z

Inportanttorememberthateventhosewhohave

alreadybeenrebornintothePureLandmaystillbeaffbctedbythebehavioroffnmilyandfriendsactingonbehalfofthedeceased

9]

LIvINGW/ILL

Tomyfamilyandallthoseconcernedwithmycare:I, ,of

beingofsoundmind,makethisstatementasadirectivetobefbIowediffbranyreasonIbecomeunabletoparticipateindecisionsregardingmymedicalcare·

Uponmydeathandtransitionintothenextlifb,Idonotwishtoberebornasaghostorananimal.Idonotwishtosuffbr.Instead,IwishtofbIowAmitabbaBuddhaandtoarriveathisW/esternPure

LandofUltimateBliss.Toallmyfami>yandfriends,IwishtoaslKfbryourassistancesothatImaynotsuffbr,butinsteadremaincalmandpeacefUltopreparefbrmyarrivaltotheW/esternPureLand.

IntheeventthatIshouldsuffbrfromaterminaI

iInesstotheextentthatdoctorsfbreseenopossiblerecovery,Iaskthatnomedicaltreatmentbeundertaken.ShouldIalreadybeinthehospitalattbispoint,Iwishtobecbeckedoutandbroughtbome.Pleasenotifymyassignedfamilymemberor

friend

attelephonenumber(s)and

Oncehome,pleasepositionmeinthemostcomfbrtable,naturalpositioninwhichImayrest.Theassignedfamilymemberorfriendwillleadothersinchanting‘‘Amituofb.,,SbouldIdeclinetotbepointwbereIloseconsciousnessandamnolongerawareofmysurroundings,theassignedfamilymemberorfriendshaIhavefl1llauthorityinmakinganydecisionsregardingmyweI-being.Ifthispersoncannotbecontacted,pleasefindaBuddhistmasterorBuddhistbelievertoaidintbeclIantingof‘‘Amituofb,,untiltheassignedpersoncanbereached

.Withintwenty-fburhourspriortoandaftermydeath,Iwouldliketoaskmyfriendsandfamilyto

complywiththefbIowing;

I·Donottouchormovemybodyorevenmybed

2.Donotchangemyclothing.

3.Donotplacedryiceorothersubstancesonmy

body.Sandalwoodincensemaybeburnedifthereisanyodor.

牛.Donotletabreezeblowdirectlyontomybody.

夕.Donotallowtbescentofalcohol,onions,

scallions,garlic,orcbivestoentertberoom`

6·Donotsmoke,cry,ortallKintheroom·

MypurposefbraskingthisistocreateanatmosphereinwhicbImayremaincalmandatpeace.TheonlysoundIwishtobearis‘‘Amituofb)’,sothathemayescortmetothePureLand

IfIamathomeuponmydeatb,myfamilyshouldtalKeturnschanting‘‘Amituofb,,fbreighttotwenty-fburhours.Atthispoint’IwiIbereadytobemoved’washed,anddressedTlIisperiodofchantingisthebesttimetoassistmetobecahnandpeacefUl.AⅡ

fUneralarrangementscanbemadeafterwards.IfIshouldpassawayinthehospital,pleasefbllowhospitalpolicyandchantasmuchasisaIowed·

Duringmyterminalillnessandwithinfbrty-ninedays

aftermydeatb,allfamilymembersshouldadoptavegetariandiet·IdonotwishfbranykillingtobeassociatedwithmydeathAllfUneralo仳ringsmust

bevegetarianTbeuseofalcoholisstrictlyprobibitedFuneralarrangementssbouldbekeptsimple,andproperBuddhistetiquetteshouldbefbllowed.Idonotwishfbranyunnecessaryexcess.

I/ithinfbrty-ninedaysfbIowingmydeath,IsincerelyaskmyfamilymembersandfriendstoseekmyrebirthintothePureLand,andtoperfbrmgooddeedssuchasgivingofbingstotbeTbreeJewelsoftheBuddha,Dharma,andSangha,printingsutras,helpingtheneedy’andsoon.Tbesegooddeedswillhelpmetoattainadditionalgoodkarma,andfUrtberassistmeinarrivingatthePureLand.Mostimportantisfbrmyfamilytosincerelycbant‘‘Amituofb.,,

InorderfbrmetobenefittbemostandtopeacefUllyarriveatthePureLand,theabovepointsmustbefbllowed.Tbiswillnotonlybcnefitmebutallthoseinvolvedaswell.Inthismanner,IwisbfbreveryonetolearnandtobelieveinBuddbism.Thus,everyone

canarriveattbePureLand,aswell·

Amituofbtoall

Thesedirectionsexpressmylegalrighttorequestorrefl1setreatmenLTherefbre’Iexpectmyfamily’doctor,andallthoseconcernedwithmycaretoregardthemselvesaslegallyandmoraIyboundtoactinaccordwithmywisbes.

SigneDatc

I/itness:Ideclarethattbepersonwhosignedthisdocument,oraskedanothertosignthisdocumentonhisorberbehalMidsoinmypresenceandthatheorsheappearstobeofsoundmindandfreeofduressorundueinfluence·

V/itness

Date

CLosINGTHouGHTs

PureLandBuddhistpracticeisnotconfinedtolearningaboutparticularBuddhistprinciplesandcbantingasutraortheBuddba,snamewbilebowing,sitting,orwalking·Ourpracticeistbedevelopmentofacalmer,purermindsowewilllearntothinkandbehaveasaBuddhaineverythingwedo.

W℃strivetoachievetbismindsetthroughthe

previouspracticesaswellasthroughlessfbrmalpractice·How?Byremindingourselvesdailythatwhileallofushavemanysbortcomings,weshouldonlybeconcernedwithourown·Byunderstandingcausalityandnotblamingothersfbrthedifficultiesinourlives‧Andbyrealizingtbatallbeingssu仳r

andtbatonlywbenweawakencanwetrulyhelpotberstobefreefrompain·

Ultimatel又ourpracticewillenableustobave

loving-kindnessandpatienceheldequallyandioyfUllyfbrall.

IREsoLvE

IresolvenottokiI.

Instead,Iwillrespectand

havecompassionfbrallbeings.

Iresolvenottosteal·

Instead,befbretakingorusinganythingbelongingtoanother,IwiIasktheowner,spermission.

Iresolvenottoengageinsexualmisconduct,

oranysensoryindulgence.

Instead,IwiIdevelopthemind

ofselfrestraintandpurity.

Iresolvenottousefalsespeech.Instead,IwiIspeakthetruthinawisewayand

attherighttime.

IresolvenottouseharshspeechInstead,Iwillspeakwords

tbatbenefitothersandfbsterpeace.

IOZ

Iresolvenottousedivisivespeech

Instead,Iwillspeakwordsthatfbster

harmonyandunderstanding

Iresolvenottouseenticingspeech

Instead,Iwillspeak

sincerelyandtruthfUlly.

Iresolvetorefrainfromgreed

Instead,Iwillopenmyheartand

pract1ceg1v1ng·

Iresolvetorefrainfromanger·

Instead,Iwilldeveloppatienceand

thecompassiontoseethesu仳ringofothers‧

Iresolvetorefrainfromignorance.

Instead,IwiIdisciplinemyselfandcalmmymindsothatIcanactfromwisdom.

I•]

Maythemeritsandvirtues

accrued仕omtbisworkadorn

theBuddha,sPureLand,

repaytbeFourKindsofKindnessabove,

andrelievethesuffbringsofthoseintheThreePathsbelow.

Maythosewhoseeandbearoftbis

bringf•rthtbemind

ofunderstandingandcompassion,

andattheendofthisli化,

beborntogetherintheLandofUltimateBliss.