Monday, November 24, 2008

Pure Land teaching, at the higher level, stresses vipasyana

The Pure Land method is not reserved for people with low or moderate capacities alone; it embraces those of the highest capacities as well. Sentient beings of middling and low capacities who recite the Buddha's name will be able to rid themselves of afflictions and karmic obstacles and develop merit, virtue and wisdom, leading in time to the state of concentration. Depending on the amount of effort they exert, they will be reborn within the nince lotus grades of the Land of Ultimate Bliss. Those of high capacities, on the other hand, enter deeply into the sphere of concentration and wisdom as soon as they begin uttering the Buddha's name. Whether walking, standing, lying down or sitting, they are always in the "Buddha Remembrance Samadhi". After death they will be reborn in the highest grade. (Master Thich Thien Tam, Buddhism of Wisdom and Faith, sect. 18.)

No comments: