A landmark book on China’s Pure Land tradition

2016's SPECIAL ISSUE on Chinese Buddhism in different cultures and contexts!

If you have ever felt joyful upon hearing of Amitabha Buddha’s deliverance and admittance to his Pure Land, you are now on the right track as a Pure Land practitioner. Congratulations!   It is state

Shakyamuni’s “Secret Message” for Ultimate Liberation   Many people have the general impression that Buddhism is very difficult to understand. Just as in many other subjects, there are specific terms,

The world of dew Is the world of dew And yet, and yet . . .   — Issa (1763–1828)   All sentient beings fear death. Many of us have wondered what it might be like to extend

Interview with pristine Pure Land practitioner Thomas Polin

Fourteen years ago, José Cabezón argued brilliantly that “theology” should no longer be a dirty word in Buddhism (despite being derived from the Greek word theos, or “God”). He proposed that Buddhist

In the Infinite Life Sutra, one of the main texts of the Pure Land tradition, Amitabha Buddha made his 18th vow:   “If, when I attain Buddhahood, sentient beings in the lands of the ten directions

Our conversation with Ven. Hin Hung on the future of Buddhism.

Many people come to meditation very troubled about how to do it successfully.  Many of you here want to learn meditation in the Chinese Pure Land tradition for the first time.   Many peopl

The first article in Alan Kwan's Pure Land column!

Behind the simple invocation of “Namo Amitabha Buddha” (nianfo) awaits the keys to Amitabha Buddha’s Land of Bliss (Sukhavati). According to Master Shandao (613 - 681), the recitation of this sextet o

Editor's note: This feature was first published in the now-retired Bodhi Journal, Issue 4, June 2007.   IntroductionMany Asian Mahāyānists have adhered to Pure land Buddhism (淨土) and conceive that it

The term “old people” is a stigma in contemporary Western society. Unless you are wealthy, famous or politically influential, it is a horrible title to inherit. No one wants to be old, least of all wo