The Pure Land School “Even a bad man will be received in Buddha’s land, how much more a good man”

Main points Based on the teachings of Honen Honen taught two main practices: (i) Meditation on the infinite qualities of Amitabha (ii) Chanting the name of Amitabha

Main points -Honen believed that the worst sinners would be excluded from salvation. These would be: (i) Those who had killed their mothers (ii) Those who had killed their fathers (iii) Those who had killed a Buddhist saint (iv) Those who had hit a Buddha (v) Those who had deliberately caused a schism in the monastic community

Main points -Later, Pure Land leaders developed the NIEN FO Main points -Later, Pure Land leaders developed the NIEN FO. -This refers to a series of five practices that should be undertaken

Main points 1. Reciting Amitabha’s name 2 Main points 1. Reciting Amitabha’s name 2. Reciting the Mahayana Sutras 3. Meditating on the wonders of the Pure Land 4. Worshipping at statues of Amitabha Buddha 5. Singing the praises of Amitabha Buddha

- Main points - Originally, some teachers tried to combine the Nien Fo with more traditional practices such as meditation and the study of scriptures - That said, the laity preferred the Nien Fo and this took preference

- Main points - Eventually the term Nien Fo came to refer to merely an invocation to Amitabha , commonly referred to as the NEMBUTSU

Summary of Pure Land - Emphasis on the need to behave well - Prove yourself worthy to Amitabha - Follow the Five Precepts - Ritual action to gain merit