AMIDA BUDDHA’S
LAND OF PURITY
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The Buddha of Infinite Light and
Boundless Life is ever living and ever radiating His Truth.
In His Pure Land there is no suffering and no darkness, and
every hour is passed in joy; therefore, it is called the
Land of Bliss.
In the midst of
this Land there is a lake of pure water, fresh and sparkling,
whose waves lap softly on shores of golden sands. Here and
there, there are huge lotus blossoms as large as chariot wheels
of many and various tints and colours; blue tint for blue
colour, yellow for yellow, red for red, white for white, whose
fragrance fills the air.
At different
places on the margin of the lake there are pavilions decorated
with gold and silver, lapis lazuli and crystal, with marble
steps leading down to the water’s edge. At other places there
are parapets and balustrades hanging over the water and enclosed
with curtains and networks of precious gems, and in between
there are groves of spices trees and flowering shrubs.
The earth is
shining with beauty and the air is vibrant with celestial
harmonies. Six times during the day and night, delicately tinted
flower petals fall from the sky and people gather them and carry
them in flower vessels to all the other Buddha-lands and make
offerings of them to the myriad of Buddhas.
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In this wondrous Land there are many
birds. There are snow-white storks and swans, and gaily
coloured peacocks and tropical birds of paradise, and flocks
of little birds, softly singing. In the Buddha’s Pure Land
these sweetly singing birds are voicing Buddha’s teachings
and praising His virtues.
Whoever hears
and listens to the music of these voices, listens to the
Buddha’s voice and awakens to a newness of faith, joy and peace
in fellowship with the brotherhood of fellow-followers
everywhere.
Soft zephyrs
pass through the trees of that Pure Land and stir the fragrant
curtains of the Pavilions and pass away in sweet cadences of
music.
People hearing
faint echoes of this heavenly music think of the Buddha, of the
Dharma, and of the Sangha. All these excellences are but
reflections of the common songs of the Pure Land.
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Why is Buddha in this land called Amida,
indicating the Buddha of Infinite Light and Boundless Life?
It is because the splendour of His Truth radiates unimpeded
to the outermost and innermost limits of the Buddha-lands;
it is because the vitality of His living compassion never
wanes through the incalculable lives and eons of time.
It is because
the number of those who are born in His Pure Land and are
perfectly enlightened is incalculable and they will never again
return to the world of delusions and death.
It is because
the number of those who are awakened into the newness of Life by
His Light is also incalculable. Therefore should all people
concentrate their minds on His Name and, as they come toward the
end of life, even for one day or seven days, recite Amida
Buddha’s Name in perfect faith, if they do this with undisturbed
mind, they will be born in the Buddha’s Land of Purity, being
led by Amida Buddha and many other holy ones who appear at this
last moment.
If any man
hears Amida Buddha’s Name, awakens his faith in His teachings,
he will be able to attain unsurpassed perfect Enlightenment.
The above Amida Buddha’s Land Of Purity is
part of a chapter lifted from THE TEACHING OF BUDDHA. May all
gain in wisdom and be well and happy.
Namo Amitabha Buddhaya.
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