Namo Amituofo

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Namo Amituofo Namo Amitabha Buddhaya
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• Pureland Buddhism

The Pureland teachingsare always relevantas
there is the perpetual problem of impending
deathand the uncertainty of our next birth.
LAST THING FIRST!Hang on to the safest now
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• Objectives

The 4 IsInculcate Faith to be born in
Pureland. Inspire Aspiration to be born in
Pureland. Initiate Practice t
o be born in Pureland. Invite Others to be born
in Pureland. (Faith, Aspiration and Practice ar
e the three provisions needed for birth in
Pureland.)
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• Syllabus

1. Rationale of Pureland Teachings2. Study of
Pureland Scriptures Masters Commentaries3.
Practice of Pureland Teachings4. Case Studies of
Successful Pureland Practitioners5. Personal
Testimnonies 6. Video Screening of Pureland
Introduction7. Buddha Recitation Centre Visit
Practice8. Vegetarianism9. Life Liberation
10. QA
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In the Amitabha Sutra, the Buddha taught
Shariputra, you should be aware that in this
evil age of five corruptions, I did this
difficult thing I obtained the Highest Perfect
Knowledge. For the sake of the whole world I
preach this Dharma, which is difficult to believe
in. This is extremely difficult.
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• Recap of Buddhism

What is Buddhism? 2. Who is the Buddha? 3. What
is the Buddhas Intention? 4. Why Practise Buddhi
sm? 5. What is Pureland? 6. Who is Amitabha Bud
dha?
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• Essence of Pureland Teachings

By mindfulness of the Buddha,You can be reborn
in an ideal happy environment, to learn from the
Enlightened, where Enlightenment is guaranteed.
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• Core Principle

Mindfulness of the Buddha is the CauseBecoming a
Buddha is the Effect
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Mind precedes all mental states. Mind is their
chief they are all mind-wrought. If with a pure
mind a person speaks or acts, happiness follows
him like his never-departing shadow.-The
Dhammapada (Verse 2) Analogy of fan who
wants to be (with) idol
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Is Pureland Real?
Sukhavati, the Pureland, is of course, ultimately
Mind but, to human beings bound by attachments
and delusion, it is also real -- as real as our
evanescent, dreamlike world.  Di
sciple Master, does the Pure Land exist?
Master Does this world exist?
Disciple Of course it does, Master.
Master If this world exists,
then the Pure Land exists all the more.
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Salient Points of Pureland Method
- 100 million Pureland followers worldwide
(Most practiced Buddhist tradition in East Asia)
Amitabha Sutra is probably 2nd most popular sut
ra in Mahayana When all the other sutras have
perished, Amitabha Sutra will survive for
another century, to bring deliverance on a
wide scale to sentient beings.
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Dharma Proper Age - 500 yrs
Dharma Semblance Age - 1,000 yrs
Dharma Ending Age - 10,000 yrs
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- Suitable for all mental capacities low,
medium, high (eg. schizo case) and all ages
Embraces all teachings and leaves nothing out.
Simplest and most reliable method for most peop
le. Especially valuable as is particularly
effective in meeting needs of greatest number
of people. Beings can be reborn there carryin
g their karmic load with them, and thereby
transcend the triple world "horizontally.
All Bodhisattvas will go to Pureland in their T
raining (best school) and guide all beings
there. (eg. HQ) Teachings based on compassion
and faith in the compassionate Vows of
Amitabha Buddha to welcome and guide all beings
to His Pureland. An easy method, in terms of b
oth goal (rebirth in the Western Pureland as a
stepping-stone toward Buddhahood) and form of
cultivation (can be practiced anywhere, any
time.)
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- Panacea for the diseases of the mind,
unlike other methods or meditations which are
directed to specific illnesses (e.g.
meditation on the corpse is designed to sever
lust, mindfulnesss of the breath is meant to
rein in the wandering mind) Democratic method
that empowers its adherents, freeing them from
arcane metaphysics as well as dependence on
teachers and other mediating authority
figures.   For these reasons, Pure Land has, fo
r centuries, been the dominant tradition in
East Asia, playing a crucial role in the
democratization of Buddhism and the rise of
the lay movement. Reciting the Buddha-name c
an be called the number one expedient among
all the expedient methods, the supreme
complete truth among all the complete truths,
the most perfect of all the perfect teachings.
Ven. Ou-I
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- We must recall what the word "Buddha" means.
With a clear idea of the various levels of
meaning of the word "Buddha", we can also see
how Pure Land Buddhism fits into the whole
spectrum of Buddhist teachings.
  - Using the Buddhas name to summon
the qualities of Buddhahood of perfect
virtues. Thats why its so meritorious. Even
reciting with a scattered mind is powerful.
(Has mantra-like summary and power.)
- Can be used as seven limbs of prayer -
Prostration, offering, confession, rejoicing,
requesting the Buddhas to remain and teach ,
dedication of merits.
- Remember our birthright, awake to our true
original nature.
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- Trials and tribulations of this life become
inconsequential only to motivate us to go
Pureland. (Eg. Queen Vaidehis case)
- Why do we have to wait until our life i
n the mundane world is over before we can be
born in the Pure Land's jewel ponds? All we
have to do is to develop Faith and Vows and
recite the Buddha-name right now, and the
lotus bud in which we will be born in the
Pure Land is already in bloom, and the image of
the Pure Land's golden dais appear before us
- at that moment we are no longer inhabitants
of this mundane world."
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As Master Ou-i points out,  
"The compassion of the Buddhas is
inconceivable, and the merits of their names
are also inconceivable. Therefore, once you h
ear a Buddha-name, no matter whether you
are mindful or not, or whether you believe in
it or not, it always becomes the seed of an
affinity with the truth. Moreover, when the B
uddhas bring salvation to sentient beings,
they do not sort out friends and enemies they
go on working tirelessly for universal salvation.
If you hear the Buddha-name, Buddha is bound
to protect you. How can there he any doubts
about this?"
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The Ten Recitation Method The Ten Recitation
Method is a simple, convenient, and effective way
of practicing Buddha Recitation. It is especially
suitable for those who find little time in the
day for cultivation. Practicing the Ten
Recitation method helps us to regain mindfulness
of Amitabha Buddha and brings us peace and
clarity to the present moment.
The practice begins first thing in the morning w
hen we wake up. We should sit up straight and
clearly recite Amitabha's name ten times with an
undisturbed mind, whether out loud or silently to
ourselves. We repeat the process eight more times
for the rest of the day 1)       At Breakfast
2)       Before Work 3)       At Lunch Break
4)       At Lunch 5)       After Lunch Break
6)       Getting Off Work 7)       At Dinner
8)       At Bedtime
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Altogether, the method is practiced nine times a
day, everyday. The key point in this cultivation
is regularity we must not practice one day and
not the other. If this practice can be maintained
undisturbed, the cultivator would soon feel his
purity of mind increase, and wisdom grow.
Diligent practice of the Ten Recitation method
together with deep faith and determined vows can
ensure fulfillment of our wish to reach the
Western Pure Land of Infinite Life and Infinite
Light. We hope everyone will practice accordingly.
- Venerable Chin Kung
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The Heart Teaching of Great Master Yin Guang
  Whether one is a layperson or has left the home
-life, one should respect elders and be
harmonious to those surrounding him. One should
endure what others cannot, and practice what
others cannot achieve. One should take others'
difficulties unto oneself and help them succeed
in their undertakings. While sitting quietly, one
should often reflect upon one's own faults, and
when chatting with friends, one should not
discuss the rights and wrongs of others.
  In every action one makes, whether dressing or
eating, from dawn to dusk and dusk till dawn, one
should not cease to recite the Buddha's name.
Aside from Buddha recitation, whether reciting
quietly or silently, one should not give rise to
other improper thoughts. If wandering thoughts
appear, one should immediately dismiss them.
Constantly maintain a humble and repentful heart
even if one has upheld true cultivation, one
should still feel one's practice is shallow and
never boast. One should mind one's own business
and not the business of others. Only look to the
good examples of others instead of bad ones. One
should see oneself as mundane and everyone else
as Bodhisattvas. If one can cultivate according
to these teachings, one is sure to reach the
Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Homage to
Amitabha! Amituofo!  
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????The Thirteenth Chinese Patriarch of Pureland
Buddhism
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Amitabha Infinite Light
That which pervades all Space (10 Directions)
He with immeasurable Wisdom
Amitayus Infinite Life
That which pervades all Time (3 Periods)
He with immeasurable Merits / Virtues
Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya,
Nirmanakaya /
Buddha-Nature / Reality
Amituofo May the boundless blessings of
Amitabha be with you. May you
have immeasurable Merits and Wisdom
(by seeking birth in Pureland).
May you and I be mindful of Amitabha
Buddha. Say on all occasions
sad and happy, as
greetings, congrats or condolences
no matter what situation be mindful of
Buddha, so that on deathbed
still can.
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The essential point is that everything about
Amitabha is infinite his merits and his wisdom,
his supernatural powers and his power in the
Path, his embodiment and his environment, his
work in expounding the teachings and liberating
sentient beings.
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Amitabha Buddhas Pureland is the brightest
beacon in the darkness of Samsara.His light
outshines all Buddhas.
Analogy of drowning in the sea with no
destination for rest and refuge
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????????
The 10 Dharma Realms Are Not Beyond a Single
Thought
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Practice of the Six Perfections By Mindfulness of
the BuddhaMindfulness of the Buddha -
Mindful verbal or silent recitation of the
Buddha's name or remembrance of the Buddha and
His virtues. ????,??????,?????In true mindful
ness of the Buddha,letting go of attachment to
one's body, mind and the worldis the great
Perfection of Giving. ????,??????,?????In true
mindfulness of the Buddha, not giving rise to
any thought of greed, hatred or ignoranceis the
great Perfection of Morality.
????,??????,?????In true mindfulness of the
Buddha, not being attached to conflicts or
hearsay of others and oneselfis the Great
Perfection of Patience.
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????,??????,?????In true mindfulness of the
Buddha,having neither a slight break of
continuity of mindfulness nor any confused
thoughts in between is the Great Perfection of
Effort. ????,??????,?????In true mindfulness o
f the Buddha, neither giving rise to, driven by
nor chasing after stray thoughtsis the Great
Perfection of Concentration. ????,??????,?????
In true mindfulness of the Buddha, not being
tempted by any delusionis the Great Perfection
of Wisdom. - ???? Venerable Ou Yi (The Ninth C
hinese Patriarch of Pureland Buddhism)
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The supreme and endless blessings of
Samantabhadras deeds,I now universally
transfer, May every living being, drowning and ad
rift,Soon return to the Land of Limitless
Light!   -The Vows of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva
(Avatamsaka Sutra)
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?? Sharing of Merits 
?????May the merits thus accumulated?????Adorn
the Buddhas Pureland,?????Repay our fourfold
gratitude,?????And alleviate the suffering of
the three lower realms.?????May all who see or
hear this, ?????May they give rise to
Bodhicitta,?????And live the teachings for the
rest of this life,????? Before being born in
the land of bliss together.
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Namo Amituofo Namo Amitabha Buddhaya