Pure Land School Three Sutras Buddhist Canon Series

Author: Hong Xue Zhu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: The teachings of the Pure Land School are primarily reflected in the "Three Pure Land Sutras." The focus of the Sutra of Immeasurable Life lies mainly in introducing the Forty-Eight Vows of Amitābha Buddha and his merits of infinite light and boundless lifespan. It also elaborates in detail on the self-power salvation method. The Sutra of Contemplating Immeasurable Life is the teaching imparted by ?ākyamuni Buddha upon the request of Queen Vaidehi, who was lured into it, revealing the self-power cultivation method. Meanwhile, the compassionate and joyful Amitābha Buddha within it points out the other-power salvation path. In other words, some people are attached to self-power and find it difficult to enter the other-power method taught in the Sutra of Immeasurable Life. Therefore, it is necessary to explain this scripture, which contains both inner and outer methods, as it includes sixteen aspects, known as the "Sixteen Contemplations." The Sutra of Amitābha Buddha focuses on introducing Amitābha Buddha and his Pure Land—the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. The Sutra of Immeasurable Life is called the "Door of the Vast Vows" for highlighting the essence of the Eighteenth Vow. The Sutra of Contemplating Immeasurable Life explains the essence of the Nineteenth Vow, serving as the crucial gateway for transitioning from the two types of wholesome practices (fixed and scattered) into the Vast Vow method, hence known as the "Essential Gate." The Sutra of Amitābha Buddha extensively discusses the Twentieth Vow, explaining how to take the name of Amitābha Buddha, recognizing it as one's own, and reciting the name to be reborn in the Pure Land, thus called the "True Gate."