What are the main beliefs of Pure Land Buddhism?
Education
The Three Ages of dharma are the Age of the True Dharma (Shobo), the Age of the Semblance Dharma (Zoho), and the Degenerate Age (Mappo). In the first age starting after Buddha’s death and lasting 1000 years, which is named Shobo, people could achieve enlightenment through dharma and practicing. In the second age lasting 1000 years. Which became named Zoho, people’s practice started to get misled and therefore could not achieve enlightenment.
In the last age lasting 10,000 years, which is named Mappo. However, although dharma. Still present, people could not correctly practice Buddhism and started to forget dharma.
As a result, no enlightenment could become achieved in the Mappo age. Japanese Buddhists considered this last age as the dark age of Buddhism since dharma became too obscure for people to understand, and the ruling class in many countries including Japan and China stopped recognizing Buddhism as an orthodox religion of the country due to the political chaos.
The school of Pure Land Buddhism became developed in Indic culture.
Moreover, in this dark age to solve the confusion caused by the Buddha. The Chinese Buddhist Shandao interpreted Indic text to develop the Sutras for Pure Land. Which offers an easy practice to achieve enlightenment with Amitabha Buddha. These sutras give confidence and a pathway for people to reach Buddhahood. And reach the Pure Land by simply saying the name of Amida even in this Mappo age.
In Japan, Honen developed the school of Pure Land Buddhism from Tendai Buddhism to offer a way for even the people from the lowest social class to practice Buddhism and escape their suffering. The idea of the easy practice of Buddhism attracted many people in the Mappo age. In addition, revived Buddhism in Japanese society. Although Honen later stated that chanting the Nembutsu is only the first step to reach Pure Land. However, the school of Pure Land Buddhism shows the hope for women, children, and people with all backgrounds to escape from suffering.
In conclusion, Later Pure Land Buddhism in Japan introduced the practice of The Three Minds and The Four Modes of Practice introduced by Shandao. Lastly, at the age of Mappo when practicing Buddhism was impossible. The Pure Land Buddhism brought people’s hope back to Buddhism.
What are the main beliefs of Pure Land Buddhism?
