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AI summary
The core essence of the 6 Realms is suffering. Whether in the heavens, among humans, or in the hells, the nature of suffering remains the same—only its form and intensity vary. So, how can one escape this perpetual suffering? Buddha, with his supreme wisdom, teaches us that the only true path to transcending the 6 Realms and escaping the cycle of suffering is by making a vow to be reborn in the Pure Land.
For 49 years, Buddha taught in the human world, expounding on methods to break free from ignorance and attain joy. Among these, one method stands out for its simplicity, reliability, and profound practicality: the "Pure Land practice."
In Buddhism, the "Pure Land" refers to the belief in the extraordinary nature of Amitabha Buddha's Western Pure Land. By sincerely and repetitively reciting his name and making a vow to be reborn there, one can, with enough devotion, leave the polluted human realm upon death and take birth in the incomparably majestic Pure Land, where a lotus flower of their own will bloom. In this Pure Land, the environment is ideal, and Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are ever-present, teaching the Dharma. Those reborn in the Pure Land, transformed through their immersion in the teachings, purify their energy, elevate their character, and cultivate wisdom, thus drawing closer to Buddhahood. From there, they may return to the Saha world to aid suffering beings.
Buddha not only expounded on the characteristics of those in the Pure Land and their connections to other beings but also taught various methods for achieving rebirth in this realm. The Pure Land practice belongs to the Mahayana tradition, which focuses not only on personal liberation but also on the liberation of others. In Buddhism, the Pure Land is not a tangible material world, but a realm manifested by the Buddhas’ boundless aspirations, compassion, supernatural powers, wisdom, and merits. To ordinary beings, it may seem like a mythical, idealized world. Buddhism categorizes the Pure Lands into three distinct types: the Dharma body Pure Land, the reward body Pure Land, and the transformation body Pure Land.
The Dharma body Pure Land is a realm accessible only by the Buddhas and can only be attained by achieving Buddhahood.
The reward body Pure Land is a realm attainable only by highly advanced Bodhisattvas. Ordinary Bodhisattvas cannot enter, and for average beings, entry is currently impossible. Amitabha Buddha's reward body Pure Land is one such example.
The transformation body Pure Land is a realm that ordinary beings can reach, as long as they follow the Buddha’s teachings and the necessary conditions align. By relying on the five powers and a renunciant heart, together with the Buddha's compassion, one can successfully be reborn in the transformation body Pure Land. This method is not limited to great saints who have completely purified their karmic obstacles; even ordinary beings with firm faith and pure vows can be reborn there. Amitabha Buddha's Western Pure Land is a transformation body Pure Land, making it especially accessible to ordinary people.
Therefore, when Buddhism speaks of the Pure Land, such as Amitabha Buddha's Western Pure Land or Avalokiteshvara’s Putuo Pure Land, it refers to the third type—the transformation body Pure Land. The other two types have little bearing on ordinary beings, as rebirth there is exceedingly difficult. For most, the Pure Land they can reach after death is the Buddha's transformation body Pure Land.
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