📖 The book The Buddha Teaches Once More. Part 1: The Mystery of Origins. Chapter 6: The Western Pure Land
Does the Western Pure Land truly exist, and can sentient beings recite the Buddha’s name to be reborn there while still carrying karmic burdens? Many misconceptions have arisen around this issue. Minh Nguyet invites you to listen to the teachings of the Venerable Buddha to gain a deeper understanding of the true nature of the Pure Land.
Minh Nguyet: Venerable Buddha, in the scriptures, the Buddha often praises the Western Pure Land. May I ask, who is eligible to be reborn in this land?
Those who can attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land are individuals who practice the Bodhisattva path with deep vows accumulated over countless lifetimes. They follow the Bodhisattva practice, but do not achieve immediate enlightenment. These practitioners carry with them a mix of both good and bad karma, developing skills and learning various lessons, experiencing many lifetimes in the six realms of reincarnation without reaching a final conclusion. Amitabha Buddha leads them to the Western Pure Land to help them consolidate their experiences and understanding, allowing them to eventually become fully enlightened Buddhas.
It is important to note that Amitabha Buddha is one of the manifestations of the Supreme God.
Minh Nguyet: Venerable Buddha, when will a practitioner of the Bodhisattva Path be able to enter the Western Pure Land? Must they chant the Buddha’s name and await the arrival of the holy ones to guide them?
It will be in their final lifetime, and they do not need to chant the Buddha’s name to be received. If they have not yet completed all their lessons, then even if they chant with unwavering concentration, they still cannot be led to the Pure Land.
Minh Nguyet: Venerable Buddha, for those who follow other vows and practices, they cannot attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land. May you reveal to us where they will attain Buddhahood?
Regarding the name Western Pure Land, you must understand that “Western” here does not refer to a geographical direction in relation to Earth. To grasp the Buddha’s meaning, one must interpret it symbolically. The term “Western” corresponds to the Duì ☱ trigram in the Bagua, which represents joy and fulfillment.
In the future, this Earth itself will transform into the Land of Paradise—a Western Pure Land. This is the grand design of God the Almighty—Amitābha Buddha. The Saha World will transition into the phase of The Coexistence of Ordinary Beings and Holy Beings, where Holy Beings will live among ordinary people to guide them. At that time, God the Almighty will be present in the world, and Maitreya Buddha will guide humanity on the path to attaining Buddhahood right here in this world!
Minh Nguyet: Venerable Buddha, I express my deepest gratitude. From your words, I now understand that the Western Pure Land is merely a temporary realm?
That is correct. The Pure Land is but a provisional realm, as subtly revealed in the Infinite Life Sutra.
🍃 Conclusion: For those who practice the Bodhisattva Path, in their final lifetime, they will carry with them all the karma accumulated over countless eons to the Western Pure Land. This is what is known as “attaining rebirth while still bearing karma”.
To misinterpret this as meaning that a practitioner can simply chant the Buddha’s name with single-minded devotion and carry their karma into the Western Pure Land is a grave misconception. Such desires stem from attachment and hidden greed. A practitioner who still has outstanding karmic debts bears the responsibility to settle them.
For those who follow other vows and practices, they will be guided toward attaining Buddhahood within this world itself.
