We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track. If this problem persists help us by reporting it so we can investigate it.
Watch this talk
Login or create a free account to watch this talk and discover other teachings from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
Log in or create an account
Expanding the Pure Land
Human suffering drives the aspiration to take refuge in a place of no suffering, such as the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha. The universal practice of nama-japa, or calling the name of a holy person, brings comfort and energy, whether practicing Namo Buddhaya in Buddhism or Namo Christaya in Christianity. While the Sukhavati-vyuha Sutra describes the Pure Land as a place of great happiness where people do not know suffering, suffering is actually necessary to recognize and appreciate well-being. Just as a flower needs compost and garbage to grow, happiness is made of non-happiness elements like pain and despair. Suffering serves as a school that teaches us how to understand and cultivate compassion.
In the study of Buddhism, we distinguish two kinds of truth:
- The conventional, relative truth
- The absolute truth (paramartha)
While the relative truth uses the concept of a land without suffering as a skillful means to attract those who suffer, the absolute reality is that suffering exists even in the Pure Land. Under the principle of đới nghiệp vãng sinh, practitioners can bring their luggage of suffering and karma to the Pure Land to slowly transform it. The most attractive element of the Pure Land is not its physical wonders, but being close to many noble practitioners in a good Sangha. Cultivating gratitude for a Sangha and a place to practice mindfulness is enough to maintain happiness, as the moment we stop feeling grateful is the moment we begin to suffer. Anyone motivated by the desire to build a Sangha and establish a place for practice is already creating a real Pure Land in the here and the now.
Part of the following collection
Opening Dharma Talk of the Summer Retreat