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Pure Land Buddhism: Theory and Practice

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Introduction It is easy to critique Pure Land Buddhism in its current modus operandi. I do it myself. It’s an easy target because of its façade of superstition and magic, religious overtones and seemingly exotic teachings with its dependence on the “one true Buddha”. They really don’t say, “one true Buddha”, I sort of made that up myself. And it does seem sort of odd to walk into a Buddhist temple to find a very Protestant Christian looking and sounding service. But not all Pure Land schools operate the same way. Some are very “protestant like” and others are very traditional. It depends on which school is hosting the service.       Recently while presenting a talk on the Buddhist Doctrine of Mind at the Jung Center of Chicago a member of the audience came to me and said she had been studying Buddhism for 10 years and just could not understand the Pure Land Buddhists because they thought they could be saved by simply chanting “Amitabha Buddha” over and over again. “Who would
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The Protection Wheel of Vajra Armor

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"As I explore the wilderness of my own body, I see I Am made of blood and bones, sunlight and water, pesticide and redwood humus, the fear and dreams of generations of ancestors, particles of exploded stars” I don’t now who actually said this but the quote is found on Pinterest in a dozen or so places. It is a wonderful “mantra” to use when reminding ourselves that our body is not who we are. Not are we our mind.   According to the Buddha, self is not truth. He declared," Where self is, truth is not. Where truth is, self is not. Self is the fleeting error of samsara; it is individual separateness and that egotism which begets envy and hatred." He defined self as "that yearning which seeks pleasure and lusts after vanity where as Truth is the correct comprehension of things, which is the permanent and everlasting, the real in all existence and the bliss of righteousness." The very existence of self is an illusion,. It is the Self, which through
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A Little Something About Pure Land Buddhism

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Three Pure Land Sages Bishop Koshin Ogui of the Buddhist Churches of America introduced me to Pure Land Buddhism in the 1990s. He also recognized me as ordained clergy and gave me my Dharma name. At the time he was the Master at a Jodo Shin Temple in Cleveland. Ogui was also the Master at the Midwest Buddhist Temple in Chicago. A remarkable man and teacher he was instrumental in my taking on the unified practice he held so dear. The emphasis of my practice varies with my needs. This is the way the Buddha taught. One size does not fit all any more than one tool in the box is sufficient for all jobs.   One of the main themes he emphasized was the unified practice. This is where Jodo and Zen are combined into one integrated whole. The Chinese invented this method thousand or so years ago. Tendai and its predecessor T’ien T’ai demanded this method of unifying practices. Since each being is unique, each being responds best to a unique practice.   Based on what I have lear
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